Key Event Context
- Event: AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door III
- Platform: AEW Rampage
- Subject: AEW wrestler memorial
- Core Sentiment: PAC provided an incredibly bright moment for Cody Rhodes’ career
Cody Rhodes recently paid tribute to PAC, who passed away last week at age 40. The wrestling community has been in mourning since the news of his death, and the Stamford-based promotion recently aired a memorial video on its YouTube channel to honor his legacy. Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here.
The tribute featured reflections from prominent stars including Sami Zayn, Becky Lynch, and Kevin Owens, all of whom detailed the profound influence the former NXT Champion had on their lives and the industry. Cody Rhodes, while noting they were not close personal friends, emphasized that the late wrestler played a pivotal role in his own professional development.
The American Nightmare specifically highlighted their 2015 feud during his time as Stardust. He recalled a tag team match at SummerSlam where he partnered with Wade Barrett against the team of PAC, then performing as Neville, and Stephen Amell. Rhodes stated that the spotlight from that major stage provided a necessary shift in direction for his career, offering him an incredibly bright moment that helped reshape his trajectory. The former Undisputed WWE Champion remembered his feud with PAC in WWE when he worked as Stardust in 2015.
Cody Rhodes also shed light on a compassionate gesture from Kevin Owens, who has been vocal about the positive impact the late star made on his life. Speaking with WrestleTalk, Rhodes revealed that during last week’s SmackDown, Owens set up a backstage camera and invited the entire roster to record personal messages about what the fallen wrestler meant to them.
It is believed that these recordings were intended for the late athlete’s family as a final tribute. This effort, along with the official company video released today, serves as a poignant farewell from his colleagues. The gesture underscores the deep respect the locker room held for the late performer and his contributions to the business.
