Cody Rhodes’ Puerto Rico Tribute Gear at WWE Backlash: A Look That Spoke Before the Bell


                                    Cody Rhodes Entrance Jacket

Backlash 2023 landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 6, 2023, inside the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot—WWE’s first premium live event on the island since 2005. The weekend was set up to feel local from the jump; WWE had even announced Bad Bunny as host before he ended up wrestling on the show. WWEWikipedia

Into that environment walked Cody Rhodes, wearing Puerto Rico tribute gear that fit the night: an entrance jacket built for stadium distance, broadcast glare, and a crowd that didn’t need a long explanation. He later beat Brock Lesnar, but the tone was already set by the time he hit the ramp. WWE’s recap flat-out described a “red-hot Puerto Rican crowd.” WWE

What we can say for sure about the jacket

In the days leading up to Backlash, a preview photo of Rhodes’ jacket did the rounds. The key detail wasn’t hard to spot: the Puerto Rican flag integrated into the design—clear enough to read from the upper deck and in a three-second TV cut. ComicBook.com
Post-event attire roundups noticed the same thing, calling out the red/white/blue story and the flag on the back as part of the look. The Sportster

Why the color story matters at stadium scale

Big shows reward simple, high-contrast palettes. The Puerto Rican red, white, and blue carry the message faster than any intricate trim. From there, accents can nudge toward place—deep blue that reads like the Caribbean Sea, warm highlights that feel like Old San Juan in late sun, even a quiet green hint that suggests El Yunque—but the headline stays the flag. If you’re trying to be legible to 15,000 people and a hard camera, that’s the play.

Symbols—go specific, not busy

Puerto Rico has visual shorthand everyone recognizes: the coquí and Taíno-inspired motifs you’ll find in local art. Used lightly—one or two placements—they read as respect, not costume. The only element previewed on Rhodes’ jacket ahead of the show was the flag integration; fans bring the rest of the cultural vocabulary when they see the colors. ComicBook.com

How entrance jackets are actually built

An entrance jacket is still ring gear. It has to:

  • Hold shape (firm shoulders/hem so the outline doesn’t collapse during turns or rope steps).

  • Breathe (lighter interlinings, venting, or mesh so TV lights don’t cook the performer).

  • Survive quick changes (secure, fast hardware).

  • Catch light without excess weight (embroidery or appliqué instead of heavy plating).

Rhodes’ jacket follows that logic: bold blocks for readability, structure for movement, and detail that adds depth without fighting the match to come.

Why place-aware gear hits so hard in pro wrestling

Wrestling has a long tradition of nodding to the host city. When the show is the first premium event there in nearly two decades—and Bad Bunny is woven into the card—that nod lands even harder. It’s a fast way of saying “we see you” that the building understands instantly. WWEWikipedia

The match (briefly, for context)

Rhodes defeated Brock Lesnar—the finish and ringside beats are in WWE’s recap and the same result is echoed across mainstream coverage. The crowd stayed loud; the entrance earned attention; the match kept it. That’s why the gear gets tied to the memory of the night instead of sitting as a random screenshot. WWECBSSports.com

If you’re recreating the look (cons, watch parties, photoshoots)

Keep the silhouette first (structured jacket or vest), then the flag palette. Make the base breathable and lined. If you add a coquí or small Taíno-style mark, place it with intent. Renting or thrifting a base and tailoring it usually beats a fast copy on comfort and shape.

Quick receipts (with links)

  • Date/venue & “first since 2005” confirmed by WWE’s announcement; Bad Bunny’s role noted there too. WWE

  • Event context (Bad Bunny wrestled, San Juan setting) summarized in the Backlash 2023 overview. Wikipedia

  • Jacket preview with the Puerto Rican flag ahead of the show. ComicBook.com

  • Result and “red-hot Puerto Rican crowd” in WWE’s match recap. WWE

  • Independent recaps reiterating results and crowd energy. CBSSports.com