In a twist more surprising than a cat with a dog’s bark, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson made his long-awaited return to WWE programming at SummerSlam, bringing some much-needed pep to Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Anderson, looking as sharp as ever, was spotted backstage giving Rhodes a rousing speech before his Bloodline Rules match against Solo Sikoa in the main event.
Anderson didn’t just stop at motivational speaking; he dropped a tantalizing hint that “Cody still has a couple of friends who are on the way.” This was a subtle yet juicy reference to the Bloodline’s pre-event smackdown on Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, who were tag-teaming with Rhodes against Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu.
This marked Anderson’s first WWE TV appearance since his cameo on “SmackDown Live” back in 2019, where he lit up the screen in an episode of “Fashion Police” with Breezango. Anderson’s WWE career hit a roadblock in February 2019 when he reportedly let Alicia Fox wrestle while intoxicated, leading to his release. He then jumped ship to AEW in August 2019, making a dramatic appearance at All Out to support Rhodes, before officially signing with AEW in December 2019.
Fast forward to May 2024, and Anderson announced his AEW contract had expired, deciding to focus on globetrotting and training with his son, wrestler Brock Anderson. While at AEW, Anderson wore many hats: manager, coach, mentor, and on-screen advisor to Rhodes.
Arn Anderson’s return to WWE TV is not just a nostalgia trip but a strategic move, bringing his decades of experience back to the ring and adding another layer of drama to Cody Rhodes’ ongoing saga.