In what might be the most unexpected endorsement since Shaq got really into The General car insurance, Cody Rhodes has come out swinging with a bold statement: AEW Fight Forever is his favorite game. Not Elden Ring, not God of War, not even Stardew Valley on a moody day. Nope. It’s Fight Forever, the wrestling game best known for its nostalgic graphics and equally nostalgic bugs.

“I Just Like the Way It Feels”

According to Rhodes, there’s something about the game’s physics, animations, and… charm that keeps him coming back. “I know people rag on it, but it feels like home,” he told a group of visibly confused journalists. “When I see my character T-pose in the middle of the ring, I feel seen.”

Sources close to Cody say he’s logged over 300 hours in the game, most of which have been spent spamming powerbombs as himself against Kenny Omega, “for therapeutic reasons.”

“WWE 2K25 Is Great, But…”

When asked about the latest entry in the 2K franchise, WWE 2K25, Cody gave a polite shrug. “It looks amazing, sure. But there’s something about Fight Forever that just hits different. The jank? The charm? The way the ring ropes sometimes launch you into the crowd like a Marvel character? You can’t get that anywhere else.”

He later clarified that yes, he is in WWE 2K25, and yes, he still prefers Fight Forever. “I respect 2K’s work, but Fight Forever lets me suplex Orange Cassidy through a skateboard. That’s art.”

When You’re In the Game… and Also the Bug

When asked if his love for Fight Forever is partially due to starring in it, Cody responded, “No comment,” while winking so aggressively it caused a small breeze. He later admitted to playing with his entrance sequence on repeat, calling it “method acting.”

At press time, Cody was reportedly lobbying for Fight Forever 2 to feature a full campaign where he solves crimes with Danhausen. No word yet on whether that’s a feature or a threat.