Cody Rhodes has highlighted several potential candidates to take over as WWE’s chief content officer (CCO) when Paul “Triple H” Levesque eventually steps down, naming CM Punk as one of the top contenders. Although there is currently no sign that Triple H will vacate his position soon, Rhodes recognizes a competitive atmosphere developing for the role within WWE’s roster.
Since assuming WWE’s creative leadership in September 2022, Triple H has steered the company through a period of growth, culminating at WrestleMania 40 when Rhodes won the WWE Championship by defeating Roman Reigns. Rhodes spoke to ESPN about whether certain wrestlers are aiming to replace Levesque, singling out CM Punk as a strong candidate with a natural talent for developing younger performers.
“I think there’s starting to become a fight for it, and I didn’t see that at first. I thought, well, obviously I’m the best candidate. I felt like I had some experience, and I’d be interested in something like that. But also, it’s very clear that CM Punk is really great at helping develop young talent. He probably has a knack for it more than anybody.”
Both Rhodes and Punk share extensive experience within professional wrestling, having made their names on the independent circuit before rising to headline status in WWE. Beyond their in-ring achievements, Punk has also held a significant executive role as an Executive Vice President at AEW, one of the company’s main competitors, and is considered savvy in both wrestling and business aspects. Their paths crossed in WWE and AEW before Rhodes’ return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022.
CM Punk made an unexpected comeback at November 2023’s Survivor Series, reconciling with Triple H and NXT head booker Shawn Michaels. Since then, Punk has been actively involved backstage at NXT, mentoring younger talent, which aligns with Rhodes’ observation of Punk’s development skills.
While naming CM Punk as his closest rival, Rhodes also suggested other wrestlers who might be considered for the top creative position. He mentioned Seth Rollins and himself as additional possibilities, along with names like Bayley and Roman Reigns influencing WWE’s future direction.
“Seth Rollins is a little bit more rough around the edges, but probably would be an outstanding boss when it comes down to it. I’d love to throw my name in the hat. I don’t know if I’m ready to do it officially yet, but I like the fact that there’s the three of us; plus tons of other people. Bayley, Roman will always have a say.”
Rhodes also emphasized the challenges of managing WWE’s locker room and the complexity of the creative role, praising Triple H’s ongoing success and expressing hope that he will remain in the position for the foreseeable future.
“You’ve got an older locker room right now, so eventually those positions, see if you can do good because it’s not always booking. The industry is not easy, and Triple H is doing a great job, so thankfully we have him for quite some time.”
Rhodes is scheduled to defend his WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza on September 20. This event marks the revival of the ECW pay-per-view and represents one of Triple H’s recent strategic initiatives, as it will stream for the first time on ESPN.
Potential for a Leadership Partnership Between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk
When Triple H eventually steps away, WWE appears poised to have several highly capable successors ready to take control of creative functions. Cody Rhodes, with his background as an Executive Vice President at AEW and his twin accolades as the company’s top talent and spokesperson, envisions a leadership team that includes CM Punk as an ideal scenario.
Rhodes’ strengths lie in his public communication skills and business acumen, essential for serving as the company’s figurehead and managing corporate operations. Meanwhile, Punk’s recognized ability to nurture emerging wrestlers and oversee their development at NXT and beyond would complement Rhodes’s skill set perfectly.
Supporting this view, NXT star Trick Williams praised Punk’s mentorship earlier this year, highlighting his dedication to guiding the next generation of superstars with practical advice on and off the ring.
“He takes pride in helping us, the next generation, to become the superstars that we need to be. He gives us real advice, too. He talks about how to handle yourself, in the ring, outside the ring, with everything it takes to become a superstar.”
Currently, Triple H and Shawn Michaels charter WWE’s creative direction, nurturing the company’s new era under TKO management which began in September 2023. While Rhodes and Punk’s ascension is not imminent, their combined leadership qualities suggest they could step seamlessly into these roles in the future, providing sustained growth and innovation for WWE.
