Cody Rhodes is an American professional wrestler, currently signed with WWE, where he’s considered one of the company’s top stars. Born on June 30, 1985, in Marietta, Georgia, Rhodes has been wrestling since the age of 21 and has proven his talent across multiple promotions, including WWE, AEW, and ROH.

Quick Facts

Full Name: Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes
Ring Name: Cody Rhodes
Nickname: The American Nightmare
Height: 6’2” (188 cm)
Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
Birthplace: Marietta, Georgia
Residence: Cheval, Florida
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Ethnicity: Multiracial
Religion: Christian
Marital Status: Married to Brandi Rhodes
Children: 1 daughter
Net Worth: Estimated $8 million
Annual Salary: Reported between $500K–$6M
Favorite Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Hobbies: Video games, comic books
Car Collection: Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes G-Class, Porsche Panamera
Tattoo: American Nightmare logo on his neck

Family Background

Cody comes from wrestling royalty. His father, Dusty Rhodes, was a legendary wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer. His brother, Dustin Rhodes (aka Goldust), is a veteran in the industry and currently signed with AEW.

Early Career & WWE Debut

Rhodes began his wrestling career in 2006 in WWE’s developmental territory OVW, where he trained under names like Al Snow and Danny Davis. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship with Shawn Spears.

In 2007, he debuted on WWE’s main roster during a segment involving his father and Randy Orton. His first match came against Orton, and though he lost, he showed serious potential.

Rise in WWE

Rhodes found early success in the tag team division—first with Hardcore Holly, then with Ted DiBiase Jr.. The trio formed The Legacy with Randy Orton in 2008, one of the standout factions of the PG Era.

Post-Legacy, Rhodes transitioned to singles competition, adopting multiple personas including the vain “Dashing” Cody Rhodes and the bizarre Stardust, a character modeled after Goldust. While the Stardust gimmick hurt his momentum, it played a role in his decision to leave WWE in 2016.

AEW & Independent Success

After departing WWE, Rhodes redefined his career on the independent circuit and was instrumental in launching AEW in 2019 as one of its Executive Vice Presidents. He captured the AEW TNT Championship three times and helped establish the company as a legitimate WWE competitor.

Cody shocked the wrestling world by returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022 as Seth Rollins’ surprise opponent. His return match and subsequent feud with Rollins earned critical acclaim, particularly their Hell in a Cell match, where Rhodes wrestled with a torn pec. The injury sidelined him for eight months.

He returned at Royal Rumble 2023, entering at #30 and winning the match—becoming the fifth superstar to win the Rumble from that spot. This earned him a shot at Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, but he came up short.

Notable Feuds

Seth Rollins – A trilogy of matches that reintroduced Cody as a main event player.

Brock Lesnar – A three-match series in 2023, ending with Cody defeating Lesnar at SummerSlam.

Roman Reigns – The ongoing feud over the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, expected to continue at WrestleMania 40.

Championships & Accomplishments

WWE

Intercontinental Championship (2x)
Tag Team Championships (6x total)
Royal Rumble Winner (2023)
Slammy Awards (2x)

Outside WWE

AEW TNT Championship (3x, inaugural)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1x)
IWGP US Championship (1x)
ROH World Championship (1x)
PWI Match of the Year (2019, 2022)
Sports Illustrated Wrestler of the Year (2018)

Mentor & Philosophy

Cody names John Cena as a key mentor, admiring how Cena handled media, fans, and pressure. Rhodes says if he becomes a locker room leader, he’ll do it by leading through example.

Personal Life

Cody married Brandi Rhodes in 2013. Brandi is a retired wrestler and former AEW executive. They live in a luxury home in Florida with their daughter. Outside wrestling, Cody is a lifelong gamer and comic book enthusiast.