Cody Rhodes’ net worth is estimated at $8–12 million as of 2026, built through a career that spans a second-generation WWE debut, years rebuilding his name on the independent circuit, co-founding All Elite Wrestling, and a triumphant return to WWE that culminated in multiple Undisputed WWE Championship reigns and one of the sport’s most emotional WrestleMania moments. In October 2026, he adds Hollywood to his CV: playing Guile in Legendary Entertainment’s live-action Street Fighter.
Cody Rhodes — “The American Nightmare,” three-time Undisputed WWE Champion, and son of Dusty Rhodes — steps into his first major film role as Guile in Street Fighter (October 16, 2026).
| Full Name | Cody Garrett Runnels |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 30, 1985 |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Birthplace | Marietta, Georgia, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler, Actor |
| Net Worth | $8–12 Million (2026) |
| Known For | Undisputed WWE Champion, “Finish the Story,” AEW co-founder, son of Dusty Rhodes |
| Spouse | Brandi Rhodes (m. 2013) |
| Children | Liberty Iris Runnels (b. June 2021) |
| Upcoming | Street Fighter as Guile (October 16, 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Cody Rhodes
What is Cody Rhodes’ net worth in 2026?
Cody Rhodes’ net worth is estimated at $8–12 million as of 2026. His primary income comes from his reported $3 million annual base salary from WWE (making him the fourth-highest paid active performer), merchandise royalties as a top-tier babyface, and earnings from his AEW EVP tenure (2019–2022). His Street Fighter role as Guile (October 16, 2026) adds a new income stream as he transitions into mainstream acting. Note: Celebrity Net Worth places him as low as $2 million — a figure most analysts consider significantly outdated given his current main-event position.
Who is Cody Rhodes playing in Street Fighter 2026?
Cody Rhodes plays Guile in Legendary Entertainment’s live-action Street Fighter film (October 16, 2026). Guile is one of Street Fighter’s most iconic characters — the stoic, flat-topped US Air Force soldier whose Sonic Boom and Flash Kick have been franchise staples since Street Fighter II. The casting draws on Rhodes’ all-American hero persona in WWE and his military-adjacent aesthetic as “The American Nightmare.” The film also stars Andrew Koji as Ryu, Jason Momoa as Blanka, 50 Cent as Balrog, and Roman Reigns as Akuma.
Is Cody Rhodes the son of Dusty Rhodes?
Yes. Cody Rhodes is the son of Virgil Runnels, better known as Dusty Rhodes — “The American Dream” — one of professional wrestling’s most beloved babyfaces and a Hall of Famer who defined the “everyman champion” archetype from the 1970s through the 1980s. Dusty Rhodes died of kidney failure in June 2015. Cody’s WrestleMania 40 moment — finally capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship and “finishing the story” Dusty never could — is widely considered one of the most emotionally resonant moments in modern wrestling history, explicitly framed as a tribute to his father.
How many times has Cody Rhodes been WWE Champion?
Cody Rhodes is a three-time Undisputed WWE Champion as of March 2026. He first captured the title at WrestleMania XL (April 2024) by defeating Roman Reigns, completing the “finish the story” narrative that had run through his 2023–2024 WWE tenure. He subsequently lost and recaptured the title through feuds with top challengers. He is currently in a heated programme with CM Punk heading into SummerSlam 2026.
What was Cody Rhodes’ role at AEW?
Cody Rhodes was a co-founder and Executive Vice President (EVP) of All Elite Wrestling from its founding in 2019 until his departure in 2022. Alongside Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and his wife Brandi Rhodes, he helped launch the first significant mainstream competition to WWE in decades. His equity position as an EVP — rather than a performer-for-hire arrangement — gave him income beyond his in-ring earnings and creative influence over the promotion’s direction. His departure in 2022 triggered one of professional wrestling’s most anticipated free agent signings when WWE brought him back.
What is “Finish the Story” and why is it famous?
“Finish the Story” refers to the narrative arc built around Cody Rhodes’ pursuit of the WWE Championship in 2023 and 2024. The story — that Dusty Rhodes had never won the WWE Championship, and that Cody intended to complete what his father could not — resonated with fans at a level that transcended typical wrestling storylines. His WrestleMania 39 (2023) loss to Roman Reigns, followed by his WrestleMania XL (2024) victory over Reigns in a two-night main event, produced one of the most emotionally charged championship moments in WWE history.
How tall is Cody Rhodes?
Cody Rhodes stands 6 feet 1 inch tall (185 cm) and performs at approximately 210 lbs (95 kg) in his current WWE run. He is notably leaner and more agile than many of his main-event contemporaries, with a physique emphasising speed and technical ability alongside power. His ring style — drawing from his father’s charisma, NWA territory tradition, and modern indie circuit athleticism — makes him one of the most complete all-around performers in the current WWE roster.
Is Cody Rhodes married?
Yes. Cody Rhodes married fellow wrestler Brandi Rhodes (née Eden Stiles, born Brandi Reed) in September 2013. Brandi served as AEW’s Chief Brand Officer during their time with the promotion and is an accomplished on-screen personality in her own right. Together they have one daughter, Liberty Iris Runnels, born in June 2021. Cody has spoken frequently about fatherhood as the most significant shift in his priorities and motivations as a performer.
How Does Cody Rhodes Make Money?
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WWE Base Salary | $3M/year | Annual (personal) | Reported guaranteed base pay; 4th highest on WWE roster as of 2026 |
| Merchandise Royalties | $1–3M/year | Annual (personal) | One of WWE’s top merchandise sellers; American Nightmare gear, t-shirts, action figures |
| Street Fighter (2026) | $1–3M est. | One-time (personal) | Acting fee for Guile role; his first major film appearance |
| AEW EVP (2019–2022) | $2–5M total | Cumulative | EVP equity + performance earnings during AEW tenure before WWE return |
| Endorsements & Appearances | $500K–1M/year | Annual (personal) | Brand partnerships; convention appearances; social media |
| Estimated Net Worth | $8–12 Million (2026) | ||
Career Overview
Cody Rhodes made his professional wrestling debut in June 2006 at WWE’s developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). His early WWE career was spent largely in the tag team and midcard divisions — notable for the “Legacy” faction alongside Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr., and a series of Intercontinental Championship reigns — but he was consistently underutilised relative to his talent and family pedigree.
In May 2016, he requested and was granted his release from WWE. What followed was a remarkable four-year journey through the independent wrestling landscape: Ring of Honor, NJPW, Impact Wrestling, and dozens of independent promotions across the world. He shed the “Stardust” gimmick WWE had saddled him with and rebuilt his identity as “The American Nightmare” — a character that drew explicitly on his father’s “American Dream” legacy while adding darkness and complexity. The cross tattoo on his chest, the silver smoking skull ring, the pageantry of his entrances: all carefully crafted to create a character that felt both inherited and entirely his own.
Cody Rhodes’ WWE entrances — featuring American flag pyrotechnics and elaborate staging — have become must-see moments on SmackDown and pay-per-view events, reflecting the theatrical pageantry he refined across his independent wrestling years.
In 2019, alongside Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and with support from Tony Khan’s financial backing, he co-founded All Elite Wrestling — the first major wrestling promotion to offer legitimate competition to WWE in twenty years. His EVP role gave him creative equity and business income that transformed his relationship with the industry. He remained until 2022, when a combination of creative frustrations led to his departure.
His WWE return at WrestleMania 38 (April 2, 2022) — surprise-revealed as Seth Rollins’ opponent — produced one of the loudest crowd reactions in WrestleMania history. He tore his pectoral muscle shortly after but wrestled through the injury in one of the most praised displays of toughness in recent memory. His WrestleMania XL (April 2024) championship victory over Roman Reigns stands as one of the most emotionally complete moments in modern professional wrestling.
Little-Known Facts About Cody Rhodes
- He wrestled with a torn pectoral muscle — at Hell in a Cell (June 2022), three weeks after tearing his right pectoral tendon in a match, Cody Rhodes competed against Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell with his entire chest covered in surgical bruising. The image became one of wrestling’s most iconic photographs of 2022.
- He helped build AEW from scratch — as Executive Vice President, Rhodes was involved in talent recruitment, creative direction, and building the operational infrastructure for a start-up wrestling promotion that within months of launch was averaging nearly one million TV viewers.
- He inherited his father’s ring — Dusty Rhodes’ widow gifted Cody the original “American Dream” ring after Dusty’s death, which Cody wears to this day and which features prominently in his character’s backstory.
- He has a love of classic American iconography — his character draws heavily on 1980s wrestling aesthetics: sequined robes, fire and pyrotechnics, patriotic imagery. It is both homage and reinvention, and has connected with younger fans who never saw Dusty Rhodes perform.
- Guile is his son’s favourite Street Fighter character — Cody has stated in interviews that Liberty’s enthusiasm for the character was a personal motivation for accepting the role, mirroring Jason Momoa’s statement about his son and Blanka.
Cody Rhodes brings Guile — Street Fighter’s iconic flat-topped US Air Force warrior — to life in Legendary’s live-action adaptation (October 16, 2026), the first major film role for WWE’s current Undisputed Champion.