Exclusive: Cody Rhodes reveals the one strict rule in WWE that only John Cena is allowed to break

WWE undisputed champion Cody Rhodes has revealed the one strict rule which only John Cena is able to break.

Under the leadership of Paul 'Triple H' Leveque, a whole host of WWE rules previously in place have been scrapped in recent times.

These include the use of the phrase "wrestling" when "sports entertainment" was the go-to term beforehand, in addition to "belt" being allowed when "championship" and "title" were the only words acceptable.

Top stars like Rhodes, who became WWE champion for the first time at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, are typically allowed a lot more freedom when on-screen.

However, the American Nightmare explained that there is one particular on-air rule that is not supposed to be breached - unless you are a 16-time champion who cannot be seen.

According to Rhodes, WWE still do not approve their superstars on directly talking to the camera, primarily because it is something associated with Cena.

The WWE legend, who is embarking on a retirement tour next year, regularly "breaks the fourth wall" by speaking to the cameraman during his entrance.

And the 39-year-old is in favour of the directive and does not wish to see others copy it as he feels it should be unique to Cena.

Image: Getty

"When I went away and came back I was allowed to bring everything back with me, including breaking a lot of the pre-existing rules," Rhodes told SPORTbible in an exclusive interview.

"We're out of the frame of looking at monitors sideways now. You know, what's still a pretty big on-air rule but it's good for production purposes, is not to talk into the camera.

"That's John's thing. John looks at the camera and mentions Stu the cameraman, runs to the ring.

"I don't want to see anyone, including myself, do it - and I probably have done at some point.

"But that's his [thing] and that's the reason why it's a rule - until somebody beats him and then it's his."

WWE Live returns to the UK from 4th - 6th November, in London, Nottingham and Sheffield. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.co.uk. UK fans will be able to watch all WWE programming on Netflix from January