Cody Rhodes’ wife Brandi Rhodes recently came up with a humorous reaction to what went down on WWE SmackDown.
Gunther recently attacked Cody Rhodes on the latest edition of SmackDown following Rhodes’ victory over Ricky Saints. ‘The Ring General’ applied a sleeper hold and held the WWE Championship high, signaling his intentions as Rhodes’ next challenger.
Officials attempted to break up the assault, but the former World Champion continued the attack before eventually releasing the hold. He then grabbed Rhodes’ WWE Championship and held it above his head in a clear statement of intent.
Brandi Rhodes Reacts
In an X post, Cody Rhodes’ wife Brandi Rhodes made a humorous comment that their oldest daughter, Libby, wanted to use one of her infant sister’s diapers to stink up Gunther’s bus.
“Libby wants to put one of her sisters dirty diapers on Gunther’s bus. I think that’s a good start and we can just build from there.”
Libby wants to put one of her sisters dirty diapers on Gunther's bus. I think that's a good start and we can just build from there.
Gunther last appeared at WrestleMania 42, where he defeated Seth Rollins. Bron Breakker played a decisive role in that match, returning to spear Rollins before the finish.
Rollins and Breakker have continued their feud since WrestleMania, with a match scheduled for next weekend at Backlash. Gunther now appears positioned to challenge Rhodes for the WWE Championship in the coming weeks.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his wife, Brandi, are celebrating the birth of their second daughter, Leilani Ella Runnels. Brandi shared the joyful news on Instagram:
\”Welcome to the world Leilani Ella Runnels. We are in love. Thank you God for answered prayers. Cody + Brandi + Libby + Lani.\”
The couple’s first daughter, Liberty Iris, was born in June 2021. Cody and Brandi have been married since September 2013, after first meeting as colleagues in WWE.
Congratulations to the growing Rhodes family on their newest addition!
Liberty Rhodes, daughter of Cody and Brandi Rhodes, may come from wrestling royalty, but there\’s no expectation for her to follow in the family\’s footsteps. Speaking with BET, Brandi Rhodes shared that despite being surrounded by the wrestling world, Liberty has yet to actually watch a match.
“She runs around the ring and plays, but she has no idea what’s going on. She’s turning four this month and has never seen a wrestling match. That’s a personal decision. One day she’ll get it—but there’s no pressure.”
With her father Cody, mother Brandi, uncle Dustin Rhodes, and late grandfather Dusty Rhodes all deeply rooted in wrestling, Liberty certainly has the pedigree. Still, her future isn’t being mapped out for her.
“Every time I post her, someone’s like, ‘Next generation!’ And I’m like—maybe not. If she wants to wrestle, sure. But just because her parents did it doesn’t mean she has to.”
While Liberty\’s path remains open, her father’s wrestling plans are more defined. Cody Rhodes is set to team with Jey Uso to face John Cena and Logan Paul at WWE Money in the Bank 2025. Brandi will be cheering him on—but both parents are united in letting Liberty choose her own path, wrestling or otherwise.
Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson proved why he\’s earned the \”Final Boss\” moniker both in and out of the wrestling ring, arranging elaborate VIP treatment for Cody and Brandi Rhodes to attend the Moana 2 premiere in Hawaii in November 2024.
\”Put us on an amazing golf stream, fully catered, with Moana themed desserts… Really, really kinda put his wang on the table. Let us know. Let us know. Let us know. That\’s The Final Boss.\”
The gesture held special significance for the Rhodes family, particularly given the logistics involved. Cody had SmackDown obligations in Salt Lake City the same day, making attendance seem impossible until The Rock personally intervened.
Brandi Rhodes emphasized her immediate gratitude upon seeing Johnson at the event, highlighting the genuine appreciation the family felt for his extraordinary effort.
\”The moment that I saw him, the first word out of my mouth was, thank you.\”
The premiere itself reflected Johnson\’s attention to creating memorable family experiences rather than typical Hollywood red carpet events. The celebration featured craft tables, Disney character appearances, and interactive elements designed specifically for children and families.
\”This was for families. So many sponsored things, craft tables, Mickey and Minnie are there… It wasn\’t the traditional, here\’s the carpet press element, then you move on.\”
The Rock\’s generosity extended to ensuring the Rhodes family, including four-year-old Liberty, who was treated like a princess throughout the entire Hawaiian experience.
The Rhodes family\’s experience reinforces why Johnson has earned respect across multiple industries – not just for his professional achievements, but for how he treats people when cameras aren\’t rolling.
Cody Rhodes may be \’undeniable\’ in WWE today, but there was a time when the heights of being a World Champion seemed lost amongst the stars. From 2014 to 2016, Rhodes competed as Stardust in WWE, before leaving to prove he could become a bigger star outside the promotion.
On the What Do You Want to Talk About? podcast, Brandi Rhodes addressed the dark period when Cody was locked into the much-maligned Stardust character, a time he admits nearly caused him to abandon wrestling entirely due to stress and creative frustration. While the character is seen as a low-point for Cody, Brandi remains a fan of the character.
\”I thought Stardust was one of the best wrestlers. Rene Paquette and I stand on that mountain that Stardust was great. And I never, never once had any shame in Stardust.\”
Brandi\’s unwavering support came at significant personal cost. As a WWE announcer responsible for introducing marquee superstars like The Undertaker and John Cena, she had to maintain professional composure while watching her husband struggle with a character he felt trapped within. The emotional toll of the situation wasn\’t lost on Cody, who now credits his wife\’s loyalty during his lowest point as the foundation of their relationship\’s strength.
\”The reason that is is because you stayed with me and you cared for me. When you were announcing superstars as big as the Undertaker and John Cena and you had to look in the ring and see Stardust and say, that\’s my husband.\”
Rather than focusing on public perception or career implications, Brandi\’s concern centered entirely on her husband\’s wellbeing and mental health during the challenging period. Though she had no issue with the bizarre being from the Fifth Dimension, she knew it bothered the man behind the paint.
\”The only thing that bothered me about Stardust is that it bothered you.\”
Her perspective differed markedly from Cody\’s internal struggles with the character. While he battled creative frustration and identity issues, Brandi genuinely believed in the quality of his in-ring work regardless of the character constraints.
\”You bit into that sucker and you just kept sinking in and kept sinking in.\”
Brandi\’s steadfast support during this crisis has shaped the foundation of their current success. Cody now attributes his willingness to share everything – from their tour bus to their possessions – to his wife\’s loyalty when others might have wavered.
\”And if you chose to leave, it\’s all yours… because you stayed with me and you cared for me.\”
The couple\’s experience during the Stardust era demonstrates that behind every wrestling comeback story often lies an untold narrative of family sacrifice and unwavering belief, even when public opinion suggests otherwise. Today, as Cody seeks to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship and Brandi runs a successful business, their journey from the Stardust period to current success serves as a testament to the power of partnership during professional adversity.
At just four years old, Liberty \”Libby\” Rhodes is already displaying the natural charisma and crowd instincts that have made the Rhodes family wrestling legends, according to her parents\’ revealing podcast discussion. The daughter of Cody and Brandi Rhodes has caught attention for her remarkable ability to read rooms and connect with people, particularly during high-profile wrestling events and celebrity encounters.
The most striking example occurred during the family\’s VIP experience at The Rock\’s Moana 2 premiere in Hawaii in November 2024. While initially reserved around other celebrities and refusing photos on the red carpet, Liberty\’s entire demeanor shifted when she recognized Dwayne Johnson\’s star power.
\”And as he does it, my daughter, who is only not even four yet, turns around and waves. And she welcomed him in for a hug, full smile.\”
Cody Rhodes was amazed by his daughter\’s intuitive understanding of the moment and The Rock\’s significance.
\”It was what it took me from 18 to 25 to garner, she has it all. She gets it.\”
Speaking on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Brandi observed that Liberty possesses what wrestling families call \”the carny bone\” – an innate understanding of entertainment, crowd psychology, and when moments matter most. Cody recalled his daughter being well aware during WWE events, and gave her reaction to his victory at WrestleMania 40 as a prime example.
\”When I walked out there, she looked at me as if I was the greatest thing ever. That is not how Libby looks at me on a daily basis. I\’m the guy stomping, I made the waffle wrong, whatever.\”
Liberty\’s natural instincts extend beyond celebrity encounters to everyday situations where she shows remarkable emotional intelligence and performance awareness for her age. Her parents noted that she can distinguish between casual family time and special occasions, adjusting her behavior and energy accordingly – a skill that typically takes performers years to develop.
\”She don\’t wanna, it\’s allowed, kids, it\’s allowed. There\’s stuff blowing up. When I walked out there, she looked at me as if I was the greatest thing ever.\”
While Liberty is obviously years away from any potential wrestling involvement, her natural charisma and crowd awareness suggest the Rhodes wrestling dynasty may continue into another generation.The combination of her father\’s championship pedigree and her mother\’s executive experience provides Liberty with unique exposure to wrestling\’s entertainment aspects from multiple perspectives.
Former AEW executive and wrestling personality Brandi Rhodes delivered pointed criticism of wrestling industry politics during a revealing appearance on her husband Cody Rhodes\’ brand new podcast, exposing the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that often shapes careers in pro wrestling.
The wife of former WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes didn\’t hold back when discussing her approach to industry relationships and the price of maintaining integrity over political positioning.
\”I don\’t need approval from somebody I don\’t approve of myself, ever. And so if the Internet will ever think, well, maybe this, maybe that, that\’s fine, I don\’t know you, I can\’t take it personally, but I do know those people personally and I don\’t need their accolades.\”
Speaking on \”What Do You Wanna Talk About,\” Brandi addressed long-standing perceptions about her contributions to wrestling and revealed her deliberate decision to distance herself from certain power players despite potential career consequences.
The former WWE announcer and first African-American woman to hold an executive position in a North American wrestling promotion explained how her approach differed from others seeking advancement through strategic alliances.
\”Some people choose to get in with people because they want that person\’s voice going forward, or they hope they have that person\’s voice going forward. I didn\’t want that, I wanted to do what I knew was right.\”
Her comments represent rare public commentary on wrestling\’s corporate culture from someone who held executive positions and worked closely with top-tier talent across multiple promotions.
Cody Rhodes praised his wife\’s often-overlooked contributions to the wrestling industry, noting how she advocated for other performers and established infrastructure that continues to benefit wrestlers today. However, Brandi acknowledged that her principled stance came with professional costs.
\”I contributed in ways that I felt were the right ways for me to contribute. And then in the ways that I did not feel were right for me to contribute, I just didn\’t.\”
Now focused on her successful Naked Mind Yoga + Pilates studio in Roswell, Georgia, Brandi\’s selective wrestling appearances suggest she\’s found peace with her decision to prioritize personal values over industry politics.
Cody Rhodes recently shared a memorable story about how he first met his wife, Brandi Rhodes, during an appearance on Stephanie\’s Places. The WWE Superstar reflected on their initial interaction which came backstage as Brandi was preparing for a segment.
She was in the hall, and they\’d given her real Texas big hair. I was telling her, as her peer, you can\’t go out there like that.\”
While Cody saw it as simple peer-to-peer guidance, Brandi took it aas \”entry-level flirtation.\”At that moment, Rhodes was already captivated, saying, \”I thought she was beautiful, the most amazing eyes I\’ve ever seen in my life.\”
What happened next completely changed the moment for Rhodes. As he went in for what he described as a \”half-hug,\” Brandi surprised him by playfully blowing in his ear. That unexpected move left a lasting impression on him.
\”At that point, I thought Dashing Cody Rhodes is a real thing.\”
Stephanie would catch up Brandi on the show, who refuted the notion that she deliberately blew in her future husband\’s ear in a flirtatious way.
\”That is not true! I was just breathing [laughs]. I was just breathing. I did not blow in his ear… But then from that point there was trust, so we started hanging out.\”
Since that first meeting, Cody and Brandi’s relationship has flourished, leading to marriage and a family. Their love story, which began with a lighthearted backstage interaction, remains one of wrestling’s most endearing real-life romances.
