Despite suffering a torn pectoral, Cody Rhodes still competed in the main event of WWE Hell in a Cell…and showcased his battle scars while doing so
WWE superstars are tough, that much is true. But Cody Rhodes took it to another level on June 5, the night he and Seth Rollins battled in the headline contest of WWE’s Hell in a Cell event — in the titular match type — in Chicago, IL.
Earlier in the day, reports surfaced that Rhodes was forced out of action from the previous night’s house show in Champaign, IL, as a result of a torn pectoral tendon.
Despite fears of potential ramifications to the Hell in a Cell card — a seven-match card of which Rhodes vs. Rollins is the only Hell in a Cell bout — WWE announced that Rhodes would go on with competing.
And right before the match’s start, Rhodes revealed the extent of the damage in the ring. It was quite an ugly, and concerning, sight to see, appearing as if the tendon had truly been torn off the bone completely.
Cody’s chest looks heinous. Fully torn pec and still wrestling at #HIAC. pic.twitter.com/39kBYF2zx1
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 6, 2022
The wrestling community reacts to the gruesome bruise on Cody Rhodes, who tore his pec prior to wrestling Seth Rollins at WWE Hell in A Cell
For everyone questioning, if Cody being hurt is a work just look at his damn chest. Holy crap. #HIAC pic.twitter.com/DqMHrEGIrP
— Tim Jarrell of PWUnlimited (@TimmyBuddy) June 6, 2022
This shit is fucking INSANE. Do you see Cody Rhodes arm and chest? Holy shit…#HIAC
— JDfromNY (@JDfromNY206) June 6, 2022
The WWE should be fucking ashamed and embarrassed
#HIAC
— ✮ JBK // #SAGStrike ✮ (@RealJayBeeKay) June 6, 2022
Everyone's immediate reaction to seeing Cody's chest pic.twitter.com/iIPbPf4MHc
Chicago fans at #HIAC be like:
— Beyond The Matt (@Beyond_TheMatt) June 6, 2022
Cody’s chest Rollins getting a table pic.twitter.com/E9aHJwVvot
Cody's chest is so purple Edge is gonna recruit it for The Judgment Day.#HIAC
— Alex Pawlowski🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✌️❤️ (@AlexSourGraps) June 6, 2022
Oh my god! Look at that bruise on Cody's chest! #WWEHIAC
— "Doc" Chris Mueller (@BR_Doctor) June 6, 2022
Cody’s chest says it all. He should probably not be having this match.
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) June 6, 2022
Look man, I'm not a doctor but I don't think Cody should be wrestling when his chest looks like that
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) June 6, 2022
Damn Cody’s chest is purple the injury definitely isn’t a work #HIAC
— Connor Canfield (@ConnorCanfield1) June 6, 2022
Yeah… Cody’s chest is completely purple. This isn’t going to be a quick recovery #HIAC
— Louis Dangoor (@TheLouisDangoor) June 6, 2022
Cody Rhodes' chest has joined the House of Black #HIAC
— Our Tribal Chief Keef (@OurKeef) June 6, 2022
Oh my goodness Cody’s chest
— Shane (@4shanecon) June 6, 2022
The way Cody's chest looks, I don't wanna hear SHIT about AEW letting Matt Hardy continue in that match with Sammy ever again
— Tommy Messina (@tombombmessina) June 6, 2022
how in god's name did vince see cody's chest and arm and say "yeah pal go ahead and have a hell in a cell match"
— zack (@FIuxAndFIow) June 6, 2022
Wrestling Observer Radio reports that Rhodes suffered the injury while weight training.
WWE’s report on the manner is that the tendon was partially torn during a brawl between Rhodes and Rollins on the go-home edition of Raw. WWE claimed Rhodes then completely tore the tendon while training for the Hell in a Cell match.
The Hell in a Cell bout between Rhodes and Rollins marked the third straight — and most likely rivalry-ending — Premium Live Event fight. And despite the injury, Rhodes came out on top inside the steel cell.
The two first met at WrestleMania 38 in April, an event that marked Rhodes’s first appearance in WWE since re-signing with the company after six years away on the indies and helping to form All Elite Wrestling (AEW) — WWE’s stiffest competition in the industry since the folding of World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Rhodes also won both the WrestleMania match and the rematch at WrestleMania Backlash in May, both of which were widely praised in the wrestling community.