When Cody Rhodes signed with WWE after helping to found AEW alongside the rest of The Elite and Tony Khan, it was for one reason and one reason alone: to become the new face of WWE.

Sure, Rhodes had accomplished a ton during his first run in the company, winning midcard titles, wrestling at Premium Live Events, and even showing the first hints of his tag team with Dustin Rhodes that would headline many of AEW's early pre-television shows, but the fact that he never held the belt his father always wanted, the WWE Championship, made being anywhere else feel like a pitstop on a much larger journey.

So when Rhodes finally put Roman's reign on ice at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, it effectively served as his coronation, giving him not just his first WWE singles title since 2012 but the mantle of WWE's top star.

Discussing what it's like to be the new face of the biggest wrestling promotion in the world today in an interview with WHAS11, Rhodes revealed that he isn't taking this opportunity for granted, as he's been working towards it for almost 20 years.

“I came into WWE, I was 20 years old. When you're 20, you think, ‘It's definitely going to be me. I'm the face of this thing. This is mine,'” Cody Rhodes explained via Fightful. “At 25, you think, ‘It's definitely me. Definitely.' As you get more experience and get more educated in sports entertainment, pro wrestling, when that moment came for me because I had heard it several times, it's such a good feeling, but also the first thing is ‘Whew, okay, alright.' I welcome the responsibility and have enjoyed this time because it's a completely new face for WWE in terms of, not just me, but new management, new ownership, everything. Being part of that is really cool.”

While Rhodes is technically one of four “World Champions” on the WWE main roster, theoretically on par with Damian Priest, Bayley, and Liv Morgan, you'd never know it by his presentation, as when he comes out on SmackDown, RAW, or even occasionally NXT, it just feels different than the rest of the roster. Fortunately, Rhodes appears to be 100 percent okay with that, as he isn't shying away from the opportunity.

Cody Rhodes offers to buy a ring for SGW in Uganda.

As Cody Rhodes continues to travel around the professional wrestling world, shaking hands and kissing babies like a true politician, the “American Nightmare” took some time out of his day to generate some goodwill within the IWC, formally announcing that he plans to buy a ring for SGW – Soft Ground Wrestling – in Uganda so they can continue to enjoy the sport in a proper format.

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“We've all been watching what you guys have been doing lately. I've talked to a few friends about how the experiences down there, it's incredibly impressive and wonderful to see your love at SGW for pro wrestling and sports entertainment… It's not lost on me that, with the world as divided as it may be — social issues, climate issues, political issues, whatever it may be — one thing that we can universally bond on is our love of pro wrestling,” Cody Rhodes announced to SGW via Cageside Seats.

“With that said — you guys need a proper wrestling ring. You need one for your stories, and to be able to do. You've gotta be welcomed into the wrestling business in the right way. You need a proper ring.

“We have found someone in Uganda who can make it for you. It's not coming over on a boat. It's not going to get broken. We're gonna get it done. And when it gets done, send the bill to me. It is on me. My gift to you.

“The wrestling business has literally given me everything in my life that I could possibly dream of. And I would just like to give something back to you guys. Welcome you officially into this big wide world of pro wrestling. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Enjoy it. Thanks guys.”

While everyone from Tate McCray to the artists formerly known as the Maximum Male Models and even Will Ospreay have been advocating for SGW over the past few months, Rhodes' efforts could provide the promotion with the biggest upgrade imaginable to guarantee their continued success into the future, with the need for a ring right up there with buying the land on which they perform. Even if Rhodes never wrestles in the ring – could you imagine WWE allowing that to happen? – what better way to grow the sport than to plant seeds you will never see grow?