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How WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes Pulled Off That Scare Tactics Prank Against The New Day
Superstar Cody Rhodes pulled a terrifying prank on The New Day for Scare Tactics. Learn how he did it here.
It’s not all the time that WWE fans get to see Cody Rhodes outside of the ring, but he decided to make an exception for one epic reason: USA Network's premiere season of Scare Tactics.
A prank series rebooted by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, Scare Tactics is the terrifying forum where friends and family members choose an unsuspecting person (or group of people, in this case) to get the fright of their life.
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And for the current Undisputed WWE Champion, his mission was no different; he decided to teach wrestling stable The New Day a lesson about who's boss to in the most dramatic way possible.
In the below behind-the-scenes look, Cody takes viewers on an intimate look inside the making of his Scare Tactic.
How Cody Rhodes' prank came together
Hours before the prank, the Scare Tactics crew transformed a home into a set for a fake TV show titled "Thrill Ride." The faux series is described as an opportunity for normal people to overcome their fears and take on adventure-seeking challenges.
The New Day, along with Rhodes, are introduced as the hosts of the "show" and are in charge of meeting potential contestants and ultimately deciding whether each candidate is suited to take on the Thrill Ride. This is where the fear comes in.
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One of the many contestants the panel of judges is introduced to is a shy, nervous woman who reveals a disturbing backstory.
Specifically, she was shunned after she was accused of being the person responsible for her bully's death. The anxious contestant claimed that all she did to him was stare boldly into his eyes.
After Rhodes tells her that he doesn’t think she should be on the show, the woman starts staring at him — and Rhodes doubles over in pain. The New Day looks concerned but all three try to remain calm and keep filming.
Rhodes calls her a “freak," and the woman points her finger, causing an explosion. Flames shoot into the air, and The New Day runs in fear.
The New Day calls for a prank battle: "It's a war now."
Rhodes explains in this special BTS look that he chose The New Day as his target because they had been teasing him for being timid — a complete 180 from his famed rebellious personality.
“Since I returned to WWE I have been accused of being tame,” he explained. “Not real! And now I have the opportunity to prank The New Day.”
Rhodes also placed his bet on who from the wrestling trio would have the biggest scared reaction to the prank.
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“My guess of who would be the most scared is probably Big E,” he predicted. “But, if you poll the room, most people will tell you Xavier Woods. He is very averse to spooky magic. This show though, this is next level.”
Ultimately, Woods did run the farthest away from the woman and the explosion, so Rhodes' guess was correct. However, his prank may have backfired because after Woods recuperated from the scare, he confirmed to the camera that Rhodes had just initiated a prank war.
“Just because you’re the American Nightmare, you’re going to be in our nightmares — no, Cody, we’re going to be in yours,” Woods warned. “It’s war now.”
New episodes of Scare Tactics premiere every Friday night at 10 p.m. ET on USA Network and are available to stream on Peacock.
