Cody Rhodes might potentially be two-time (and current) WWE Champion, the face of the company during its most lucrative era, its “QB1,” and the top wrestler in the world two years in a row, as per pro Wrestling Illustrated, but not everyone is a fan. Former WWE star James Ellsworth recently took to social media to air his grievances with “The American Nightmare,” and it’s…intense.

Ellsworth, known for his memorable run as a jobber who briefly received a WWE Championship possibility against AJ Styles in 2016, has been consistently critical of Rhodes on X (formerly Twitter). His latest rant, however, takes things to another level. He accused Rhodes of being “overrated” and “protected” by WWE, claiming his success is not earned.

“Cody Rhodes is the most overrated wrestler in the history of professional wrestling,” Ellsworth wrote. “He’s protected by the machine and doesn’t have to work for anything. He’s just handed opportunities. It’s revolting.”

Ellsworth didn’t stop there, continuing to attack Rhodes’ in-ring abilities and character work.He also took aim at Rhodes’ father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, questioning his legacy. These comments have drawn significant backlash from Rhodes’ fans, with many accusing Ellsworth of being a bitter and jealous former wrestler.

Rhodes himself has yet to respond to Ellsworth’s latest tirade. It remains to be seen if this feud will escalate further,but ellsworth has certainly made his feelings known. He’s previously called Rhodes a “fraud” and accused him of stealing his catchphrases.

Ellsworth’s career has largely consisted of autonomous wrestling appearances and occasional cameos as his release from WWE in 2017.He continues to maintain a social media presence, frequently sharing his opinions on the wrestling industry.