Cody Rhodes comments on WWE money makers and locker room dynamics have triggered strong reactions from within the wrestling community. Speaking on his podcast with Damian Priest, Rhodes offered candid views on which wrestlers actually drive revenue for WWE, underscoring tensions around recognition and roles in the company.
Over the past year as WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes has positioned himself as the “Quarterback” of WWE, aiming to lead both inside and outside the ring. During his three-year main event tenure, Rhodes experienced a surge in popularity that arguably crowned him as the most prominent wrestler on WWE’s roster. As in eras led by icons like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and John Cena, any boom or slide in business is often attributed to the company’s main figure.
For Rhodes, the current climate is one of prosperity — WWE continues to post record profits and sell out live events around the globe. Yet, despite these successes, Rhodes pulled back the curtain on who actually contributes the most to WWE’s bottom line, with statements sure to spark debate among his peers.
Discussing the realities facing wrestlers aspiring to be major stars, Rhodes observed that although many expect a large portion of the roster to be significant money makers, the truth is more selective.
“This is an unpopular thing to share, but I’ll share it. If you look at a roster sheet — in any company, any company — you’d be surprised at the percentage that actually — and I’ll use the term — earn, or draw, for a company. You’d think it’s a lot more. And then you look and it’s a small percentage. Now, it doesn’t mean people won’t, it doesn’t mean people aren’t getting there, it doesn’t mean context makes it so that a few times they do. But there’s a small percentage.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion
Rhodes clarified that excelling as a “draw” is a rare accomplishment, noting that this reality holds true not just in WWE, but across all wrestling organizations. He emphasized that achieving top star status doesn’t happen for the majority, and can be a point of contention in the locker room where performers vie for recognition and influence.
Praise for Rhea Ripley and Competitive Locker Room Energy
Beyond discussing revenue drivers, Cody Rhodes highlighted the impact of former Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, who he sees as both a standout performer and a motivating presence. During his conversation with Damian Priest, Ripley’s influence among her peers came to the forefront.
“She’s also one who makes me want to compete — not in a stab-you-in-the-back type of way, but like, ‘Let’s go. You’re cruising? Cool. I want to be on your level. Let’s go. Every time she’s on the screen, it’s those moments of like, ‘Jeez, man. What a star. What a star.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion
Rhodes credited Ripley with inspiring a spirit of healthy competition, describing how her standout performances encourage others, himself included, to push their own limits. This atmosphere, according to Rhodes, is not about undermining each other, but about raising standards collectively within WWE.
Stepping Up in Challenging Situations: Producing Live Events
Leadership in WWE sometimes extends beyond the ring. Cody Rhodes revealed that he, along with Seth Rollins, stepped in to help produce a WWE live event when inclement weather kept regular producers from arriving. Their intervention ensured the show went ahead as planned, highlighting resilience and adaptability within WWE’s main event scene.
Such behind-the-scenes contributions further solidify Rhodes’s reputation for initiative, reinforcing his claims about leading from the front when business and the company needs demand it.
Implications for WWE’s Business and Its Competitors
Cody Rhodes’s candid discussion about money makers and locker room dynamics arrives at a time when the wrestling industry is undergoing significant changes. With WWE experiencing business growth and AEW’s television partnerships entering a period of transition, industry leaders such as Tony Khan and others are navigating new challenges around talent, television exposure, and competition.
Rhodes’s remarks underscore the persistent reality that only a select few, like himself, John Cena, and Rhea Ripley, consistently drive business forward. This dynamic shapes WWE’s internal culture and influences how wrestlers, including rising stars like Sami Zayn and Raquel Rodriguez, approach their own careers in hopes of breaking through as top earners.
As Cody Rhodes continues his reign and his willingness to speak openly about the company’s inner workings, industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on how his comments affect relationships within WWE—and whether they prompt changes in how talent is recognized both in storyline and behind the scenes. The focus on which names, such as Bayley or Chelsea Green, emerge as future headliners and money makers, will remain central to WWE’s evolving narrative and business strategy.
