Former WWE official Jimmy Korderas believes Cody Rhodes should have been disqualified during WWE SummerSlam

Cody Rhodes’ triumphant victory over Brock Lesnar at WWE SummerSlam left Detroit fans elated. 

However, amidst the hard-hitting clash at Ford Field, one particular moment stirred controversy. Rhodes employed a steel steps maneuver against Lesnar, prompting discussions about its legality. Former WWE official Jimmy Korderas shared his view on this incident, expressing that it should have led to a disqualification. This perspective came to light during an insightful conversation on “Busted Open.”

Former WWE referee confirms Cody Rhodes should have been disqualified during SummerSlam

Korderas highlighted that while certain interactions involving steel steps don’t result in disqualifications, Rhodes’ actions crossed the line. By using the upper half of the steps as a weapon against Lesnar, Rhodes ventured into disqualification territory. The former referee asserted that while the magnitude of the match could influence leniency, the rules remain paramount. He opined that despite the spectacle, enforcing the rules consistently safeguards the integrity of the sport:

“It technically should have been a disqualification. You can throw them into the stairs and that’s not a disqualification… but he picked up the top half of the stairs and he ran it into Brock. Technically speaking, that should have been a disqualification. I get the argument about letting things fly because of the magnitude of the match, but at the same time, I think it should have been a DQ. I understand that specifically with big matches such as this one –- but at the same time, you have to cover up for the referee and not put the heat on the ref. When you let that slide, the heat goes onto the referee for letting it go.”

Drawing from his experience, Korderas emphasized the importance of distributing accountability. By acknowledging the complexity of officiating, he noted that attributing blame solely to the referee isn’t productive. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry echoed this sentiment, stressing that the “heat” should be on the character of the wrestler executing the controversial move, rather than shifting it entirely to the referee. This approach maintains a balance between storyline elements and the role of officials.

Following his hard-fought victory, Rhodes seems to have set his sights on WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. The two have engaged in verbal exchanges and even collaborated on “WWE Raw.” Despite the post-SummerSlam trajectory, Rhodes’ controversial move continues to fuel conversations about the nuances of wrestling rules and their application.

The incident involving Cody Rhodes’ steel steps maneuver at SummerSlam exemplifies the dynamic nature of professional wrestling’s rule enforcement. The perspectives shared by former officials like Korderas and industry veterans like Mark Henry underscore the delicate balance between storyline progression and rule consistency. As Rhodes progresses in his wrestling journey, the debate surrounding this incident remains a testament to the intricacies and constant evolution of the sport.