Cody Rhodes recently expressed his strong opinion that WWE is missing a key element from its past — the towering, heavily muscled bodybuilder physiques that once ruled the wrestling scene. Speaking on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast on March 4, 2026, Rhodes highlighted how today’s WWE features mostly fit athletes but lacks the larger-than-life muscular look that defined previous generations. His comments emphasize a yearning for the old-school “jacked-up” bodybuilder image within the modern roster.
Why Rhodes Prefers the ’90s Bodybuilder Style Over Modern Builds
Rhodes admitted that although these classic bodybuilder wrestlers weren’t always easy to perform with in the ring, there was something uniquely striking about their physical presence. He described his vision for WWE as needing a return of the “real ’90s style” bodybuilder — the kind of wrestler who stands out immediately and challenges everyone else to adapt around them. Rhodes believes this type of athlete brings a visual and physical dynamic that is missing from WWE’s current line-up.
“I know you’d hate this and hate working with them, but I’m looking for us to get some jacked-up bodybuilder dudes again — like real ’90s style. Need them. The ones that all the boys can’t stand. Just someone where you look at them and go, ‘Look at that look,’ and then we all have to figure out how to work with that. I’d say that’s something that’s missing in WWE right now — the old legit bodybuilder type. Like, look at him, he just looks great.” ?Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
Challenges Presented by WWE’s Current Wellness Policies
However, GUNTHER, a fellow WWE Superstar, quickly highlighted the practical difficulties of bringing back the exaggerated bodybuilder physique given the company’s current wellness policy. This policy restricts the substances and practices that often enable such extreme muscle growth, making it difficult for wrestlers to achieve those massive sizes naturally. According to him, the wellness rules effectively prevent the emergence of traditional, large-scale bodybuilders.
“Yeah, I mean it’s our wellness policy, so it won’t happen. You’ve got to get a natural bodybuilder, and they’re not that big.” ?GUNTHER, WWE Wrestler
Rhodes’ Ideal Physical Inspiration Draws from Iconic Figures
Cody Rhodes further explained the kind of physical standard he hopes to return to, noting personal inspirations from wrestling and popular culture. He named two visual benchmarks for his ideal shredded physique: Triple H’s muscular display at WrestleMania 18 and Sylvester Stallone’s chiseled look in Rambo 3. These examples demonstrate Rhodes’ preference for a more extreme and classic bodybuilding aesthetic rather than the streamlined athleticism seen today.
“I heard this term the other day and I hated it. Because I always say there are two pictures I look at when I think about the physical I want to get shredded by. One is Triple H at WrestleMania 18, which is just absurd, and the other is Stallone in Rambo 3, where you can see his cheekbones.” ?Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
Critique of the ‘Athletic Build’ Label on Modern Wrestlers
Rhodes expressed frustration toward the widespread characterization of current WWE superstars as having an “athletic build.” He dislikes this label, feeling it fails to capture the kind of high-impact, jaw-dropping physique he associates with the classic bodybuilder. Rhodes lamented the absence of genuine bodybuilders in wrestling today, describing them as extinct figures of a bygone era.
“But I heard this term the other day where someone described how in WWE you may not be in crazy shape, but everyone who is in shape just has an ‘athletic build.’ I hate the term athletic build. Man, I just want one bodybuilder back in the mix — just one full-blooded bodybuilder. We don’t really have those anymore. The bodybuilders are dinosaurs. They went away. The asteroid hit them.” ?Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
The Significance of Bringing Back Traditional Bodybuilders in WWE
While the present WWE roster consists of highly skilled athletes with lean and functional physiques, Rhodes’ comments reveal a desire for a dramatic shift in visual style and physical presence. The return of the oversized, sculpted bodybuilders could reintroduce a distinctive dynamic to wrestling entertainment, capturing audience attention with sheer size and spectacle. Although current policies and training methods may limit this possibility, Rhodes’ vocal push signals an ongoing debate about the identity and aesthetic direction of WWE’s athletes.
