Cody Rhodes - How He Exited WWE - Sam Roberts

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Sam Roberts talks to Cody Rhodes, on Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, live from Wrestle Pro in Rahway, NJ, about leaving WWE, and more.
For more Sam visit notsam.com and @notsam on twitter

[@jerkinnwontdie]

Paycheck is not worth your happiness 🔥 preach Cody

[@mcj2967]

The fitted suit is though,

[@jasonsmith530]

Njpw also gives a great paycheck

[@OmarKrauser]

Yeah it is

[@theshinyone9744]

That's the same thing I told one of my former co-worker just yesterday about one of my 2 former work places (Jobs).😃😃😃😃😃

[@JM1993951]

Easy to say after getting that fat check for all those years. He can do what he wants now because of the financial security his career in WWE gave him.

[@omegaman6616]

You can tell he was humiliated as Stardust and just lost all of his passion. I give him credit. That's probably the hardest thing to do. Walk away from the money and glory but at least you get your happiness and respect.

[@dusthue]

Omega Man Stardust was not fun to watch.

[@sanjaimathewmampala4904]

It was utter disrespect for the Rhodes family.After all what his dad did for Nxt I m glad he left wwe and after formation of aew took his elder brother along with him.

[@MorganFreemansFavoriteFreckle]

It's too bad I was too young to appreciate him when I watched him when he was dashing Cody Rhodes

[@skylerprosser27]

Morgan Freeman's favorite freckle honestly

[@pablogonzalez7412]

Didnt lose a lot

[@mcj2967]

LMFAOOOO appreciate? it was worst than stardust, he got hit in the face and wore that dumb mask.

[@Boseman7]

@@mcj2967 I actually liked that gimmick. Using the mask has a weapon?? Classic

[@KaptainKash100]

@Millennial Smark I wus 9 wen it happened now 19 lol

[@conor-_C]

dashing and undashing gimmick was his best

[@deronnekingcaid4328]

Including The Stardust gimmick his goldust version

[@kapishjoshi4576]

He never really had a good gimmick until he became the American Nightmare tbh.

[@Biggie2829]

@@kapishjoshi4576 no way he carried the mid card with the dashing undashing thing and his feud with Rey was awesome as well

[@DeadlyAlpha]

@@deronnekingcaid4328 eeeeh... stardust was... meh....

[@mynameis4555]

@@DeadlyAlpha the design was cool, bad booking

[@Matt-cr4vv]

It’s wild being able to sit here and reflect on this 6 years later seeing how it all played out. Easily one of the gutsiest decisions to have made to leave the sure thing big money safety net of WWE and dive to the indies. But seeing how he did great on the indies, started AEW, and finally returned to WWE at the level he always believed he could be is really a cool thing to see.

[@meciocio]

Drew did the same. Sometimes you just need to leave to make prove that you can make it on your own

[@sheriffdraws8789]

"From undesirable to undeniable" it's really my motto that I use to better myself everyday physically at the gym, mentally reading books, and spiritually. Thank you so much Cody Rhodes... time to dethrone Reigns 🔥

[@zoro2266]

That Stargust Gimmick was so stupid. This guy is so talented. He is great on the mic, in the ring and has the looks. He could've been a top mid carder and occasional main eventer. Could have had a feud with Heel Dolph Ziggler or a face Ambrose with him being heel but what can you do now..

[@mattpryokra2245]

He's 'top boy' now.

[@rodhittemup]

Gene Bone i mean most of the greats arent elite wrestlers, look at john cena, the rock and stone cold..they are okay in the ring they arent the best, shawn michaels on the other hand definitely had it all tho

[@sheriffdraws8789]

He's headlining Mania now and must likely gonna be the guy to dethrone the biggest star this generation in sort of a passing of the torch moment. Undesirable to undeniable. He's earned it

[@davidmcaninch4714]

And now he’s back in WWE. I wonder how Cody and Vince reconciled? I’m really glad that they did. And they’re letting him keep his American Nightmare gimmick!!!! And he won a WrestleMania match!!! I’m really happy for him!!!

[@deletedwaffles]

It's probably because Vince saw $$$ and some pleasure in bringing a top guy from AEW to the WWE.

[@sheriffdraws8789]

100% right about the dollar signs... that American Nightmare logo is endless cash for WWE lol... I dont think Vince cares about AEW though lol

[@hoosierdaddyyy]

They didn’t reconcile. Vince doesn’t reconcile because he never has issues with anyone. If you can do business and make money - he gives zero fucks about all else. With that being said - Vince also didn’t have nearly as much control at this point im pretty sure it was a triple h/TKO thing.

[@chaitanyagandhi1576]

Anyone here after the success of AEW???

[@muhammadaskari5793]

Mee broo

[@dmitrygerasimenya9041]

Is it similar to WWE with SJW and PG things?

[@miz6417]

Yess

[@thetruej7872]

@Rudy’s Brother How?

[@jackkreacherr9339]

@@dmitrygerasimenya9041 TV-14

[@2HitWonder]

One of the gutsiest moves in the history of wrestling...and it's paying off huge.

[@thedudekev]

And now he’s Vice President of AEW...

[@farscape1714]

SCU!

[@mikemiller539]

Jerry devil dog666 they are making probably the most money they ever have even though the viewership is down

[@ibtunesbukhari1909]

@OhhSnapItsBilly will be interesting to see...give it another year or two until they become true competitors hopefully

[@rapinbatches]

@OhhSnapItsBilly watch it become MORE successful than WWE.

[@Jovanpaz702]

@@mikemiller539 the more they book like shit the more their viewers get down.

[@atikulislam6359]

How much the landscape of wrestling has changed in last five years? Cody is definitely a big part of making that happened.

[@renatoarauz7784]

The dude is fn luke skywalker

[@timkruse9912]

I feel like kofi kingston is loved and friends with everyone backstage lol

[@Scorch1028]

The Stardust character was comical, and Cody wasn’t being taken seriously in the WWE. He finally got fed up with that role so he left.

[@teamhex]

It was comical and a bit over the top. I would rather have seen him do his brother's gimmick. Like a junior version of him.

[@kieran8584]

Loved his run as IC champion. And he should have won the WHC 😞

[@Taker4Life123]

Same with Drew McIntyre.... such a shame

[@schippko1039]

son 714 mcintyre is back but in nxt

[@TheArmouryHD0]

Well here we are mcintyre is champ and cody won many other big ones across the world

[@sheriffdraws8789]

WrestleMania 39

[@izuanwahab2096]

Don't worry he just won the WWE Championship

[@BluisRaw02]

I liked Cody as Stardust. He's good at every character he plays

[@AhmedMahmoud-sq7xg]

A lot of wrestlers should listen to what cody said the happiness is more important then the paycheck

[@Dragoon1809]

Ahmed Mahmoud wish it were that simple. But some people can’t their leave their jobs, even when it’s suck horribly, cause they can’t afford it finically due to their families and the process of seeking employment otherwise isn’t worthwhile taking a chance. Plus, easy money is can be more comforting versus going to unknown territories although I think plenty of guys could make it. Not kissing WWE’s ass, but there are reasons some shitter than other.

[@ohmadamn]

Man, that was one of the most saddest "..No.." 's I've ever heard. Glad hes doing happier and greater things now

[@corycybulski961]

So glad we got this Cody. I don't think how trailblazing of a moment it was when he left WWE and decided to do what he's done in just a few years. Huge fan of the MAN Cody

[@jamesjamaica7189]

Wow i feel like wwe is disrespected Dusty Rhodes by doing this most fans understand where Cody is coming from hell tbh Dusty Rhodes names was bigger then the entire wwe at one point back in the day

[@BallisNotLife]

Its funny how everyone talks trash about the wrestlers that leaves but notice how they all say something similar.... WWE screwing people over since 1979.

[@BallisNotLife]

Hell they even fired Jim Ross

[@planescaped]

No one is happy there. They all hate how shittily and sleazily the company is run.

[@gamechanger700]

Moxley,Harper,Matt and the revolt all have said the same thing about WWE

[@krugerkapone8593]

My respect goes to Cody . Keep your head up man

[@likeamandistressed953]

IDK. That's kinda odd that he can't even use Rhodes now. It's not like any other superstar where the name is NXT (OCW/FCW) creation. That's his Hall of Famer father's name. Even more odd when his wife can use Brandi Rhodes....I understand the legalities, but WWE should let him have that lawyer-free.

[@taproductions4377]

what's ocw? am I mistaken or did they change the name. I thought it was ovw Ohio valley wrestling

[@tdub2122]

Nicki Minaj's Son If I were Vince I would've let him keep Rhodes. It was Dream's ring name for god sakes

[@arminlonic7915]

He wanted to leave and wwe gave him what he wanted, but as always there was price to be payed. No employee is bigger than the company he works for never. Not just WWE but any company from smallest to biggest.

[@kummakummakummakummakummac8606]

F*cking Vince McMahon.

[@FruitBasketGamingTM]

lol the interviewer looks like a young art garfunkel

[@benadam7753]

How the hell does Vince own the rights to the Rhodes surname???

[@camrytoyota944]

THAT VINCE IS A TOUGh MTFR SMH

[@SkodaATOM]

Their shoot surname is Runnels. He probably bought the surname when he acquired Dusty back in the day.

[@AbsoluteWoo]

Because his real name is Cody Runnels.

[@benadam7753]

No shit, but that family has been using the Rhodes name since the 1970's.

[@benadam7753]

Virgil Runnels aka Dusty Rhodes has been using that surname since the 1970's, how the hell did Vince McMahon ever get the copyright to that? When Dusty joined WWF in the 1990's I can't see him allowing Vince to control his name unless he sold the rights to him?

[@MrMaxxRated]

I guess the WWE isn't the be all to end all like the fanatics believe

[@MoneyHoneyBunny]

WWE definitely isn't the best wrestling in the world, its just more mainstream. Its the same with music, art, everything... whats popular isnt always whats the best.

[@lemias]

@@MoneyHoneyBunny Well Said! Nowawdays I can literally watch any wrestling company except WWE...

[@c.a.t4607]

WWE is a evil empire like Disney or any other larger corperation.. I've watched Vince systematically destroy his competition and buy out wrestlers writes to their names or image's for decade's now.. That's a big reason why so many old legends went broke so fast.. Vince literally owns them by owning their names... I hope Cody and AEW take off and become the next big thing in wrestling..

[@kummakummakummakummakummac8606]

@@c.a.t4607 - You know what's up. I hope that AEW takes off and becomes HUGE or at least enough to challenge WWE. Wrestling became so boring when WCW and ECW went out of business.

[@jetgold]

It is clear Cody is dealing with his loss of his dad dusty. And heck yes he has great ability he should go to Hollywood.

[@armin38822]

You can't be Cody Rhodes ? Just be Codey Rhodes. Totaly different name.

[@TheHacker667]

armin38822 rhodes is trademarked by the "E"

[@Riichr]

Rhodes is..but not Codey

[@robertbishop5357]

armin38822 how about the American nightmare? ?

[@shanebrown7457]

Cody Roads to piss em off. Or even bettee Codie Roads.

[@lalocura9052]

cody rhoades

[@MIGHTYBOOSCH198]

So petty that they don't let him use the Rhodes family name.

[@Riichr]

to wrestling fans..Rhodes IS the family name

[@jacobdeleon5340]

@@Riichr doesn't matter what the fans think. It's not their fucking real name...smh. dumb ass kids

[@vita1ogy.]

@Justin B Cody legally changed his last name to Rhodes in 2003.

[@candlewax7729]

It's not petty it's just business. The Rhodes name is copyrighted owned by WWE.

[@shawnwhite08sw]

This guy is very down to earth in person. Met him in ft Benning GA in 2014 at tribute to the troops. He was stardust back then

[@phillipantwine4297]

I've met him a couple times Cody one of the nicest dudes I've ever met

[@ErdincAtaberk]

Looking at this video today. WOW MAN. He did everything he said he will and MUCH more. THANK YOU CODY!!!!!

[@izuanwahab2096]

He FINISHED HIS STORY!!!

[@akung94602]

Don’t let Vince control you. I’m happy you left.

[@rokasluksys7619]

Cody Roads xD

[@donkaegaming9793]

Rokas Luksys Rhodes

[@steamingwillybeaming]

cody rodes

[@gator9339]

Rokas Luksys Cody Rocky Roads

[@thesupercardguy8934]

Tyler Talks he was saying what his name should have been

[@LegoMatt222]

Cross Roads = Cross Rhodes. I see what you did there.

[@smoothpoon86]

Thanks for the ride, Cody. Hell of a story

[@DevilMaskMedia]

It's a bit odd that Cody barely looks at Sam.

[@Phaze718]

No

[@MarioLopez-iq1kq]

I did find it a bit wierd, I wonder if that's how he is in interviews normally.

[@Konfliction]

He's facing the crowd

[@REVKOEHLER]

Maybe it is because Cody did not want to laugh at the hair?

[@Wurmo]

"Hey barber give me a haircut, but keep the Jew fro somehow." The result is what you see in the video. You can't make this up.

[@healthymealthy775]

The other things that people don't realize is that he probably inherited a lot of money from his father after his passing. I'm sure he and his brother got at least a million a piece in both assets and liquidity. Dusty not only made a lot of money over the years as a performer, but was big behind the scenes for years in WCW and WWE, which were probably paying him close to seven figures each year.

[@charlesvictoria6800]

I have SOOOO much respect for Cody Rhodes. You have no freaking idea

[@nick1428]

Rhodes is wrestling royalty the whole family. We know what went into this whole thing, the history. This guy set it straight. And they’re back where they belong. Not only that him and Dustin put on a instant classic in their response.

[@valiantham6072]

2:50 the boss he is talking about is Triple H to those wondering.

[@1jasup]

Cody, I'm so glad you're in TNA. WWE totally disrespected your father. TNA will give you the opportunity to live up to your true legacy.

[@modestassimkevicius9371]

TNA wont get him anywhere thats why he isn't full time there. ROH and New Japan will.

[@szczesciejestkoloruczarneg749]

@@modestassimkevicius9371 Yes

[@jeremydiesel7805]

He should use Cody Roads as his name, it's the same as Rhodes but spelled diffently and he won't get sued for using it.

[@notspiderman6198]

lol

[@brentturner7232]

I'm glad you explained that for us.

[@YellowBrickRoad-x1f]

Where did you get your law degree?

[@TheMOC3399]

he born as a Rhodes we know him as a Rhodes

[@DarkPredator79]

I'm a Cody Rhodes Guy his actual surname is runnels I'm pretty sure

[@kenjiharimaCU]

he's still in WWE2k17 as StarDust

[@edwincasiano9174]

Cody is a great good hearted person i wish him the best he deserve all the success possible cause he's very talented

[@chaitanya737]

One thing I've noticed in every cody rhodes interview is cody is top level storyteller and he always gives me this superhero vibe when ever I see him on wwe nowadays!

[@GingerNut_]

Weird watching this now after mania 38 night 1…

[@scottyballgame4723]

Im glad he has become larger than life.... WWE crushes talented guys and holds them down... The Revival, Nakamura Samoa Joe.....

[@alsoemmanueltaye]

He just finished the story - 4/7/2024

[@Mizzy873]

Stardust should have just been a cool alter ego like Finn Balor's Demon King

[@michaelrios5372]

3 years later. AEW's first show was a huge success. Sold out and supported by many fans who missed pro wrestling that WWE could never give anymore.

[@toms.a.savage7232]

Three years after this, he started one of the biggest competition to WWE since WCW. Dusty would be proud to see what his son has done.

[@geordannschilling]

A lot changes in a month

[@dylanford6680]

Stardust nope Bullet club member yep Boss of AEW HELL.......YEAH

[@hectorhernandez7570]

I knew this dude could not stand that suit. Stardust gimmink wasn't for him they treated him unfairly anyways the last year's he was with the company they didn't use him right. Well I'm happy for the dude though doing what's best for him.and that's of course how it should be

[@tommyelliot4122]

☆ Dashing ☆

[@tommyelliot4122]

Can't wait for Cody VS Shibata

[@guinnessgamerz9082]

Who’s here after AEW

[@MrSilksoul]

Cody comes off as a nice dude.

[@maincity11YT]

He was great in royal rumbles

[@Jellycakelap]

I knew Cody was out -- when they did this vignette for WWE Network; a 'man on the street' type deal at Universal Citywalk, and Goldust and Stardust were out there -- being funny -- and Cody swings up to this lady, and she's hyped to see him. "Ahhh! A fan! Do you know who I am!" "Of Course! You're KISS!" The look on Cody's face said 'See you at Wrestle Kingdom, folks!'

[@JoeyD82288]

Now hes back as the American Nightmare in WWE crazy times

[@iqcontent7797]

Respect for him he was also a very important part on wwe back when him and DX era

[@A..D..D]

I would always watch years ago when he was WWE, I knew he had something. I also loved the Smoke & Mirrors theme. Cody is Awesome, and his last names is Rhodes . WWE needs to stop being so vindictive.

[@chadk890]

You were saying?

[@Benny_Illini]

Lol it’s so funny now listening to this.

[@allenparedes3964]

that guy looks like a fusion between shawn michaels and hyde from that 70s show

[@realitytruth5175]

Thanks for the recommendation youtube lmao, now he on his way back

[@Shemzinho]

The Undashing gimmick in 2011 was fucking gold. He restored prestige to the IC title and when he dropped the title he should've been the WHC. WWE dropped the ball with Cody.

[@LevelUpVisions]

Cody .. we all ready and here for ya . Take wrestling where it needs to go much love

[@Guardian978]

And now he's got his name back, go and kick ass forever Mr Cody Rhodes. Dunno what he had to do to get it but he immediately went back on 'nah I probably won't use it for wrestling, I'll just stay Cody'.

[@heroesend1354]

Traded a few ppv names back to wwe in exchange

This guy looks like a live action Sideshow Bob! Props to my guy Cody.

[@DanielGonzalez-xu1hi]

Lets all be honest. WWE has to be one of the most toxic wrestling companies in the world. You WWE fanboys can come at me if you but its true. I don’t fanboy, i give credit when credit is do. AEW is doing amazing and their future looks bright. There are a few problems they need to work on but they are doing awesome.

[@akifozturk1378]

WWE is phenomenal company no one cant be better in WWE even aew all aew had to do pickup WWE's recent stars aew hire wwe's old garbages

[@Whasteen]

@@akifozturk1378 Shut up fanboy

[@matlegend3410]

Wwe is more stupid than WWF. If want to make WWE become more phenomenal again, it should be like W: World W: Wrestling E: Elit

[@ayrtonpietrobelli6972]

I think all wrestling fans agree, they treated Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman horribly creatively and with their firings

[@rutso175]

🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 blind Daniel

[@whatseatontim918]

Well now you tell me Cody!, my sister Emily was looking forward to seeing you that night in Greensboro NC. So that means I traveled almost 3 hours to visit my sister & make her a Stardust sign which took me hours to do and you quit at the last minute, wow what a bummer hearing this. Oh and by the way Mr. Rhodes, my sister was very disappointed when she found out you weren't there so thanks alot bro... ):-(

[@ynotefil]

I Want To Hear The AEW Split Story. Comparing How Positive Cody Rhodes Looked When Him & His Brother's The Young Bucks Sold Out ALL IN To His Last AEW Promo & You Can See That He Was Not Happy The Same Way He Speaks About Wearing That Horrible Suit.

[@baileyryan96]

I doubt he'll ever tell that story. But if he does and he's actually ready. It'll be a great story and hopefully open people's eyes to whoever still thinks AEW is 100% perfect all around to the backstage people to the matches. For one it ain't perfect if you have an EVP leave. That's a bad sign.

[@davidreyna7410]

I remember thinking as a 13 year old thinking he was going to really to headline a pay per view. Now at 18, he's started his own promotion. God bless.

[@theelitev]

If cody was still in 2020 he would have been famous then John

[@ReyMundoPH]

Welcome to IMPACT wrestling Cody!

[@1ish746]

Thank u Cody for this aew project on tv Oct can't come soon enough

[@williammccormick2802]

I've actually really liked him being just Cody. He's a Rhodes. We know who he is. He's basically a Prince of Wrestling. He doesn't need a last name.

[@luvtay8804]

Yes he does lol

[@williammccormick2802]

@@luvtay8804 Wow. Only took you two years. Congrats

[@Matthew-ly1md]

hey im a fan of cody/stardust was great as well, i wish him luck and will pull for him in all that he does in life

[@Markleadguitar]

Knowing about AEW now, this interview in hindsight is great.

[@khari212]

Thanks for the s/o 336 Greensboro NC 🗣

[@whocares8584]

As much as he didnt like the stardust gimmick he made it work. Thats 1 thing i loved about Cody no matter what gimmick or character he was given he made it work & played it 2 the best of his ability made it believable. It may not be everybody's cup of tea but actually liked it. Only downfall its not a character wwe would take serious. Just like broken Matt even tho it was proven 2 woirk on tna wwe didnt really use it 2 its full potential. But im happy 4 Cody he looks happy & finally got the push he deserves

[@treetree117]

Loved stardust, but he shoulda played it like Bruce banner where he turns stardust when he really gets tempered

[@DontTalk2Me]

Cody is a great wrestler, im glad he's operating AEW i heard alot of positive reviews on it

[@chadmcfly1299]

1:39 dude in the back literally just stares at the wall

[@raedabdulrahman6556]

There were many wrestlers that quit wwe. Austin Aries was a perfect example

[@msmauri3955]

jon moxley said the exact same thing

[@UncleBuddy1994]

My top 10 list of current wrestlers 10. Cody Rhodes 9. Cesaro 8. Rusev 7. Shinsuke Nakamura 6. Johnny Gargano 5. Velveteen Dream 4. Ricochet 3. EC3 2. Adam Cole 1. Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles and Kenny Omega

[@UncleBuddy1994]

If I named my top 15 or 20 favorite superstars currently wrestling, then absolutely

[@uthinkuknowme2649]

You have fatass rosev over Seth Rollins, teddy Hart, and Pentagon jr. Hehe c'mon fam

[@sakura-uk9nn]

Nightmare Factory will become wrestling company in future😉

[@brood7002]

Great wrestler, I'd love to see in WWE still, but hope he is happy.

[@CRClouse513]

I liked the crazy stardust...he was nuts and he did it well

[@mattco1103]

Who the hell is Sam Roberts and why was he on the preshow panel of Elimination Chamber?

[@kassi420]

Cody should do Voice acting some of his voice characterisms are amazing.

[@jasonandrews1770]

There is so much talent like him that goes unrewarded

[@evolutiontail5697]

I would've love the stardust gimmick IF they went somewhere with the cosmic wasteland stable. They dropped the ball on a decent stable.

[@FoxyHockey27]

Maybe try Cody Roads?

[@GeglashTheBabyStompa]

In the words of my friend. "Cody Rhodes is money"

[@tinopacheco9389]

your moms money BITCH

[@GeglashTheBabyStompa]

*Your moms money bitch.*

[@GeglashTheBabyStompa]

Don't worry, I won't judge you. You are worthy of empathy, therefore you have my unconditional love and recognition.

[@Gardenhoser86]

So was this before or after Primetime teamed up with The Worm to take Opie’s gig?

[@freespirit906]

As a fan of this guy I’m pleased he left the wwe it was a brave move and looks likes it paid off

[@VazzVegas]

If he went by Cody Runnels, I think it would take people half a minute to get used to it and it would be fine.

[@Chilling311]

Cody Rhodes looks like Nero from Devil May Cry!

[@billa107]

Cody Rhodes was valid in his feelings. But what bothers me is that he spoke out against fans who were against Stardust. But he was against it too.