Cody Rhodes has explained the personal WWE connection behind his support for Preston North End, revealing that Wade Barrett was the man who introduced him to the English football club.
Rhodes publicly identified himself as a Preston North End supporter in 2024, drawing attention from fans who may not have expected the American wrestling star to have a particular allegiance in English football. Preston North End compete in the second tier of English soccer, and Rhodes has now detailed how his interest in the club began through Barrett, his fellow WWE personality and current SmackDown commentary colleague.
Speaking in a recent interview, Rhodes said the decision was rooted in the kind of loyalty he values, both personally and professionally. Barrett, who is closely associated with Preston North End as a supporter, invited Rhodes to take an interest in the side and made sure he had everything needed to become part of the fan base.
“I like to be very loyal, and Wade Barrett, Bad News Barrett, Preston North End fan, told me about the team, asked me if I would come check it out, got me a jersey, got me the kit, the whole deal, and since then, I have remained loyal to him, and I remain loyal to those lads. So that’s where it all came from. My man on commentary now, Big Stu, as I call him, Wade Barrett, yeah.”
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The explanation places Barrett at the center of Rhodes’ support. It was not simply a case of Rhodes choosing a club because of its history, location, or current standing. Instead, the connection began with a WWE colleague extending an invitation and providing him with a shirt and kit. Rhodes’ response was to stay committed to the club and to the person who brought him into its orbit.
That is a particularly fitting explanation for Rhodes, whose public presentation in WWE has often stressed commitment, family legacy, and following through on major personal goals. His journey back to WWE, his pursuit of championship success, and his repeated emphasis on finishing long-term objectives have all made loyalty a recognizable part of the way he speaks about his career. In this instance, that same approach has extended beyond wrestling and into sports fandom.
Wade Barrett’s Influence Reaches Beyond Commentary
Barrett’s current role alongside the WWE broadcast team has put him in regular proximity to Rhodes, particularly on SmackDown programming. Rhodes’ affectionate nickname for Barrett, “Big Stu,” also underlines the familiarity between the two men. While Barrett’s on-screen identity has changed considerably over the years—from the hard-edged leader associated with The Nexus to the “Bad News Barrett” character and then to his current work behind the desk—his football allegiance has remained part of his real-life identity.
For Rhodes, Barrett’s invitation appears to have made the difference between casually knowing of Preston North End and becoming a genuine supporter. The gesture of giving Rhodes a jersey and full kit gave the WWE star a direct association with the club, but Rhodes made clear that it was his relationship with Barrett that created the lasting attachment.
Sports fandom can often be passed along through family, hometown ties, or friendships. Rhodes’ situation falls firmly into the latter category. He is not presenting himself as someone who discovered the club through a broad search for an English football team. He instead credits Barrett’s recommendation and hospitality, then frames his continued support as keeping faith with a friend.
That distinction matters because Rhodes’ comments were not a promotional declaration made around a single event or an isolated visit. He said that he has remained loyal since Barrett first brought the club to his attention. The language indicates that Rhodes sees following Preston North End as an ongoing connection rather than a temporary novelty.
A Wrestling Star With a Growing Football Connection
The worlds of WWE and football regularly overlap, especially when WWE tours internationally and its performers interact with fans outside North America. English football in particular has an enormous global following, with clubs at every level building support well beyond their immediate communities. A wrestler of Rhodes’ stature publicly backing Preston North End naturally introduces the club to some fans who might otherwise have had little familiarity with it.
At the same time, Rhodes’ account keeps the attention on Barrett rather than on himself. He did not suggest that he became involved to create publicity or to make a calculated sports connection. His explanation was direct: Barrett is a Preston supporter, Barrett asked him to look into the team, and Rhodes chose to honor that relationship.
Preston North End’s place in the second tier of English football also makes Rhodes’ allegiance a more distinctive one than a predictable attachment to one of the sport’s most globally dominant teams. The club carries a significant place in English football history, but Rhodes’ comments show that history was not the initial selling point for him. The personal recommendation came first.
For Barrett, having Rhodes in the supporter base is a notable crossover moment. Rhodes is one of WWE’s most recognizable active stars, and his association with the club gives fans another small point of connection between WWE programming and English football culture. The fact that the story began with a jersey, a kit, and an invitation makes it feel less like a corporate partnership and more like the everyday way fandom is shared between friends.
Loyalty Remains a Central Theme for Rhodes
Rhodes’ remarks about Preston North End also align with how he has discussed ambition in professional wrestling. In another recent interview, Rhodes addressed the value of pursuing championships and said he would be wary of wrestlers who claimed they did not want to become champions in the industry. That perspective reflects a competitor who places importance on clearly defined goals and the drive to reach them.
His Preston North End comments reveal a softer but related principle. Whether discussing championship aspirations or a football club recommended by a colleague, Rhodes presents commitment as something meaningful. In one setting, that commitment is directed toward pursuing the top prize. In the other, it is directed toward honoring a friendship and remaining faithful to a club he was encouraged to support.
There is also an element of consistency in Rhodes’ answer. Wrestling audiences have seen numerous changes throughout his career, including shifts in promotion, character presentation, and professional status. Yet Rhodes’ public image has repeatedly been built around taking ownership of his choices. Rather than treating his Preston fandom as an incidental talking point, he gave a clear reason for it and emphasized that he has continued to stand by the club.
What Rhodes’ Answer Says About His Relationship With Barrett
Rhodes’ description of Barrett as “my man on commentary now” suggests a relationship shaped by their current WWE environment as well as their broader history in the industry. Commentary teams are often placed in a unique position around WWE talent: they narrate major matches and rivalries while also traveling and working within the same demanding schedule. Rhodes’ comments indicate that he sees Barrett as more than just a voice calling his matches.
By referring to Barrett by both his current name and the familiar “Bad News Barrett” identity, Rhodes also acknowledged the character that many WWE fans remember most vividly. The final reference to “Big Stu” added another personal touch, showing that their relationship includes the type of informal banter that rarely comes across during standard television coverage.
Ultimately, the story behind Rhodes and Preston North End is uncomplicated, but it is memorable precisely because of that. A WWE commentator shared his club with a colleague, supplied the shirt and kit, and invited him to get involved. Rhodes accepted the invitation and decided to remain loyal. In an era where celebrity sports affiliations can sometimes appear carefully constructed, Rhodes’ explanation is grounded in friendship.
For Preston North End supporters, Rhodes’ backing now has a straightforward origin story: Wade Barrett made the introduction. For WWE viewers, it offers another glimpse into the off-camera connections among the people seen each week on SmackDown. And for Rhodes himself, supporting the club is one more expression of a principle he plainly values—when someone has shown him loyalty and welcomed him in, he intends to return it.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.