Cody Rhodes usually prefers to keep his own look when teaming with another WWE star, but sharing the ring with CM Punk at Madison Square Garden gave him a reason to make an exception.

Speaking with Joe La Puma on Complex’s Sneaker Shopping, Rhodes reflected on the pair wearing matching New York Knicks colours for their July appearance at the famous arena. Their blue and orange gear also paid tribute to Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who has made several appearances in WWE.

“I think we owe it to him because he’s in the fam now, and we did such a fun collab,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes explained that matching outfits are not normally his style. Even when working as part of a team, he likes both wrestlers to retain their individual identities.

“Me and Punk did the Knicks colors, and the very big … I don’t ever like to match,” Rhodes said. “That’s a big thing when you’re a team. It’s like, ‘Oh, are they going to match? Are they going to put their music together?’ Like, no, I want to be me and him be him.”

With the Knicks celebrating their NBA Championship win earlier that summer, Rhodes felt the occasion called for something different.

“But that was one where I think we both thought, ‘Yeah, let’s match,’” Rhodes said. “I love the Knicks gear. That was a perfect time. Celebration of the Garden.”

The venue also holds a deeper meaning for Rhodes thanks to his late father, Dusty Rhodes, who taught him the importance of connecting with a Madison Square Garden crowd.

“Summer was crazy,” Rhodes said. “Just all about New York, and you don’t realize … I can’t claim to be a New Yorker, but it feels like everybody’s got a little New York in them. And Dusty was, that was the whole thing. If you get over in the Garden, if you can move them at all, it’s the center.”

Rhodes and Punk defeated Gunther and Sami Zayn at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18. Their partnership was followed by a brief confrontation after the match, setting up a SummerSlam main event that Punk went on to win.

Did you enjoy Cody Rhodes and CM Punk’s matching Knicks gear? Share your thoughts in the comments.