Cody Rhodes

Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes is an American professional wrestler. As of 2026, he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand and is the Undisputed WWE Champion in his third reign. Rhodes co-founded All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019 and served as an executive vice president until his return to WWE in 2022. He is known for his charismatic babyface persona, the "American Nightmare," and his ability to connect with audiences through earnest promos and high-profile matches. Across all promotions, he has held 19 total championships, including five world titles. He is a two-time Royal Rumble winner (2023 and 2024), the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Champion (2024), and the King of the Ring (2025). His work in AEW as the inaugural AEW TNT Champion helped establish the promotion's credibility. Outside wrestling, he starred with his wife Brandi on the reality series Rhodes to the Top and served as a judge on Go-Big Show. He is also an executive producer for the biographical film The Iron Claw (2023). Fans admire his journey from the shadow of his father's legacy to becoming one of the industry's top stars. He maintains a strong social media presence with 4.2 million Instagram followers and 2.8 million X followers. As of 2026, he is actively feuding with top WWE stars.[edit]

Cody Garrett Runnels was born on June 30, 1985, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in a wrestling household, often watching his father Dusty Rhodes perform. He attended Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he excelled in amateur wrestling, winning two Georgia state championships in the 171-pound weight class in 2003 and 2004. After high school, he briefly attended college but left to pursue professional wrestling. He trained at the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) school, signing with WWE in 2006. His early matches in OVW saw him win the OVW Heavyweight Championship, OVW Television Championship, and OVW Southern Tag Team Championship, setting the stage for his main roster debut. He legally changed his last name to "Rhodes" in 2011 to honor his father.[edit]

Rhodes made his WWE main roster debut in 2007 as part of the Legacy stable alongside Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr. He won his first World Tag Team Championship with DiBiase in 2008. Over the next few years, he captured the Intercontinental Championship twice (2011, 2012) and adopted various gimmicks, including the memorably eccentric Stardust. After leaving WWE in 2016, he rebranded as simply "Cody" on the independent circuit, winning the ROH World Championship in 2017 and the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship in 2018. That same year, he co-promoted All In, a groundbreaking event that sold 10,000 tickets and directly led to the formation of AEW in 2019. In AEW, he became the inaugural AEW TNT Champion in 2020, holding it three times. He returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, winning the Royal Rumble in 2023 and 2024, the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship in 2024, the King of the Ring in 2025, and the WWE Championship three times, becoming the 34th Triple Crown Champion in WWE history. He also won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in 2018 at All In, and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of The Legacy stable in 2024.[edit]

Rhodes is known as the "American Nightmare," a persona that blends patriotism with a rebellious edge. His ring attire typically features black and white with star-spangled motifs, and he sports a distinctive neck tattoo reading "American Nightmare." Media and fans see him as a hard-working, charismatic babyface who overcame the pressure of being Dusty Rhodes's son. His promos are often earnest and motivational, focusing on finishing his story, as exemplified by his quote: "I’m not the son of a plumber. I’m the son of a legend. And I’m going to finish the story." His fandom, called the "Nightmare Family," is known for chanting "Cody! Cody!" and waving American flags during his entrances. He maintains a strong social media presence, sharing behind-the-scenes content and interacting with fans. His signature aesthetic includes a black and white attire and star-spangled motifs.[edit]

The fanbase surrounding Cody Rhodes operates without a single codified official name, though the community is frequently identified by the moniker "The American Nightmare" or informally as the "Rhodes Army." Unlike groups with formal membership structures, this audience is defined by its massive scale and organic organization, functioning as one of the most influential forces in modern professional wrestling capable of driving merchandise sales and creative direction. Their dedication centers on the "American Dream" narrative, leading to fan-led campaigns such as digital demands for his return from injuries and social media surges using the hashtag #CodyRhodesIsTheChampion during his tenure in All Elite Wrestling. The interaction between the wrestler and his supporters is deeply personal; fans participate in rituals like chanting "Let's go!" before his Cross Rhodes finisher, while charitable drives often honor his father Dusty through donations to cancer research.

Within the broader cultural landscape, these efforts have propelled him to significant global recognition. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, he stands as the 40th most famous person in Pro Wrestling, a position he held steady in August 2026. This placement reflects the sustained attention generated by his high-profile storylines and viral moments, including the verified crowd reaction at WrestleMania 39 which silenced Allegiant Stadium before erupting into a deafening roar. The legend of his debut at WrestleMania 31, where he declared he would finish what his father started, remains a foundational story for new followers, while recent lore includes his revelation regarding his neck tattoo as a "greatest regret." These elements combine to create a mythology that transcends standard athletic competition, cementing his status as a central figure in sports entertainment history.[edit]

Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes was born on June 30, 1985, making him 40 years old as of 2026, and stands 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall. A second-generation wrestler, he was a two-time Georgia state champion in amateur wrestling in the 171-pound weight class during 2003 and 2004. His original WWE theme song, "Smoke and Mirrors," was composed by Jim Johnston. He holds the record for the most Royal Rumble eliminations in a single match with nine eliminations in 2023. In 2013, he once wrestled a match dressed as his half-brother Dustin's Goldust character. As of 2026, he maintains 4.2 million followers on Instagram and 2.8 million on X, alongside a YouTube channel with 1.1 million subscribers. A notable quote attributed to him states, "The American Nightmare is a dream you can't wake up from." Beyond documented facts, folklore surrounds his WrestleMania 39 victory over Roman Reigns, an event described by commentators as a career-defining moment that ended the "Tribal Chief" era. Another legendary incident involves his 2022 return to Raw, where intense crowd chants effectively disrupted the planned broadcast segment.[edit]

Rhodes is the son of Dusty Rhodes, a legendary professional wrestler and three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and Michelle Runnels. He has a half-brother, Dustin Rhodes, who wrestles as Goldust. He married Brandi Reed, a former professional wrestler and businesswoman, on September 12, 2013, in a private ceremony in California. The couple has one daughter, Liberty Iris Runnels, born in June 2021. They live in Marietta, Georgia, in a home valued at around $1.5 million. Rhodes is close with his family and often credits his father's influence on his career. He also owns a home in Marietta, Georgia, valued at approximately $1.5 million.[edit]

Cody Rhodes is closely associated with his father Dusty Rhodes, his half-brother Dustin Rhodes, and his wife Brandi Rhodes. He was a key figure in the Legacy stable with Randy Orton. He co-founded AEW with Tony Khan and The Young Bucks. His rivalries include Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in WWE.[edit]

Rhodes has been married to Brandi Reed since September 12, 2013. The couple met through the wrestling industry and have one daughter, Liberty Iris Runnels, born in June 2021. They starred together on the reality series Rhodes to the Top (2021–2022). No other public relationships have been reported. As of 2026, Rhodes is married to Brandi Rhodes.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Cody Rhodes's net worth at $12 Million as of 2026. His primary income stream derives from his WWE salary, reported to be $3–4 million annually under his current contract. Significant revenue also flows from merchandise royalties associated with his "American Nightmare" line, while pay-per-view bonuses from major events like WrestleMania further augment his earnings. Previous television work on reality series such as Rhodes to the Top and Go-Big Show provided additional income streams. Endorsement deals with brands like C4 Energy contribute to his financial portfolio. Upon his return to WWE in 2022, he sold a stake in All Elite Wrestling, a transaction contributing an estimated $2–3 million to his total assets. He also earns compensation from his role as executive producer on the film The Iron Claw. His net worth has grown steadily since returning to WWE, driven by his main event status and robust merchandise sales.[edit]

Rhodes has won multiple wrestling championships across major promotions. In WWE, he is a three-time WWE Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, seven-time World Tag Team Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner, and King of the Ring. In AEW, he was the inaugural and three-time AEW TNT Champion. He also held the ROH World Championship, IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, and NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024 as part of The Legacy stable.[edit]