WWE Champion Cody Rhodes On Wrestler Physique: ‘You Can Body Shame Me All You Want’

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is set to face WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER in a high-stakes match for the men’s Crown Jewel Championship this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rhodes’ journey to this pinnacle has been remarkable, transitioning from the much-criticized Stardust persona in 2014 to his triumphant return as the “American Nightmare” in 2022. In a recent interview on the Flagrant podcast, Rhodes shared insights into what sets his current character apart from his earlier WWE run.

“Sometimes I think it’s as easy as physicality,” Rhodes explained. “This is gonna sound silly, but this is a vanity business. If you’re trying to rise, you’ve got to be in the best shape of your career.”

Rhodes pointed to GUNTHER as an example of physical transformation in wrestling. “GUNTHER, back when he was on the independents … he didn’t have much muscle definition. He was this big, hefty, tree-chopping, killer guy,” Rhodes noted. “Now, look at him. He’s in the best shape of his career. He looks incredible, and there’s this strange online contingent that doesn’t realize how important that is.”

He stressed that physical appearance is a crucial part of the wrestling industry. “We wrestle with our shirts off, folks,” he said. “You’re standing next to some of the best athletes in the world. Fans might say, ‘You can’t body shame wrestlers,’ but let’s be real—you’re sitting there, paying hundreds of dollars to watch us half-naked. You can body shame me all you want.”

Reflecting on his earlier WWE career, Rhodes admitted that his lack of physical preparation contributed to missed opportunities. “I wasn’t in great shape, and I had filled the role of Dustin’s partner, which was successful at the time,” he shared. “But I should have been more focused on being in the best shape of my life, delivering the best promos, and, most importantly, standing up for myself in small but meaningful ways.”

Rhodes revealed that he often avoided challenging creative decisions, which ultimately led to frustrations building up. “I should have fought the little battles,” he said. “Even if the answer was, ‘No, you’re teaming with your brother,’ I would have grown if I had pushed back. But instead, I let those frustrations pile up until I asked for my release. Looking back, a lot of that was on me.”

Since returning to WWE, Rhodes has embraced a renewed focus on fitness and self-improvement, which he says is reflective of the company’s evolving locker room culture. “It might seem toxic from the outside, but among the talent, it’s different,” Rhodes explained. “Everyone’s asking, ‘Who’s your trainer?’ or ‘What’s your diet?’ There’s a new health-conscious WWE that I love. We’re all trying to look and perform our best.”

This cultural shift, coupled with his personal growth, has allowed Rhodes to rise to new heights, setting the stage for his anticipated clash with GUNTHER at Crown Jewel.