Cody Rhodes isn’t just a force to be reckoned with in the wrestling ring—his personal life is just as fascinating! As the reigning WWE Undisputed Champion, fans are naturally curious about the man beyond the spotlight, especially when it comes to his love life. And guess what? He found love right in the wrestling world!
Meet Brandi Rhodes, formerly known as Brandi Reed—Cody’s wife and biggest supporter. The power couple has been together for quite some time, proving that love and wrestling can go hand in hand. Brandi isn’t just known for being Cody’s partner; she has made a name for herself in the industry, too. Want to know more about this dynamic woman? Let’s get into everything you need to know about Brandi Rhodes!
How did Cody Rhodes and his wife meet?
Brandi Rhodes, born Brandi Reed, was introduced to the world of wrestling in 2011 when she signed a developmental contract with WWE. This led her to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where she crossed paths with none other than Dusty Rhodes, the legendary wrestler and father of Cody Rhodes.
Dusty, who played a pivotal role in FCW, instantly noticed Brandi’s unique look and beautiful green eyes. Inspired by her presence, he came up with an idea to feature her in a special segment. But what Brandi didn’t know at the time was that Dusty was also playing matchmaker behind the scenes. He saw potential in introducing her to his son, Cody, who was already making a name for himself on WWE’s main roster. Cody recalled his father’s words in an interview (via Andscape),
He thought, ‘You know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna do these vignettes where we just focus on her eyes, and it’s like her eyes do the talking. And I didn’t know at the time that he was talking about my future wife.
Dusty’s intuition proved right, and soon enough, Cody and Brandi found themselves drawn to each other. Their connection began with casual conversations, but little did they know, this was just the beginning of something much bigger.
It took three dates for Brandi Rhodes to fall for Cody Rhodes
Brandi wasn’t immediately convinced that Cody was the one. In fact, it took three dates before she realized she had found her perfect match.
Their first two dates were enjoyable but nothing out of the ordinary. Then, Cody invited Brandi to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Being a die-hard horror fan, Brandi was thrilled. This wasn’t just any date for her—it was something she had wanted to experience for years. That night turned out to be a game-changer. She had never felt more comfortable, excited, and genuinely happy on a date. That’s when it hit her—Cody was different from anyone she had met before.
She said (via Sports Illustrated),
My moment where I knew this was definitely the person for me was when Cody asked me on a date to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Nobody had ever asked me on a date to Halloween Horror Night, and I had never been even though I am a horror fanatic. That was our second or third date, and that’s the moment I realized that that was the best thing to happen in a while. We made a weekend of it.
Despite her initial hesitation about dating a colleague, Brandi soon realized that Cody was not just another wrestler—he was someone she could truly connect with. Their bond deepened quickly, and within a year, Cody proposed. Their whirlwind romance led them straight to wedding planning, and in less than a year, they became husband and wife.
On September 12, 2013, Cody and Brandi tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the historic Swan House and History Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The wedding was an intimate yet star-studded affair, with several wrestling superstars in attendance, including Triple H, Becky Lynch, and Matt Hardy. Even Bryan Danielson was present, catching the garter just weeks before proposing to Brie Bella.
What started as a simple introduction in a wrestling training facility had now turned into a lifelong commitment.
Brandi Rhodes worked in television
Before Brandi Rhodes became a big name in the wrestling world, she was chasing dreams on icy rinks and sharing stories in newsrooms! Growing up in Canton, Michigan, Brandi spent her childhood twirling and gliding as a competitive figure skater. Her goal? To become the first Black female Olympic gold medalist in figure skating. She laced up her skates at just four years old, spending countless hours perfecting her moves on the ice. But life, as it often does, had some surprises in store.
Brandi said (via Andscape),
What I imagined back then was that I would be the first black female figure skater to win the gold medal at the Olympics, so I had high hopes for being a ‘first,’ for sure. I definitely ended up in a different direction.
While juggling her skating career, Brandi earned a full scholarship to the University of Michigan. Midway through college, she made the tough decision to leave skating behind and focus entirely on her studies. Her passion for storytelling led her to study journalism, and after graduating, she spent two years working as a news anchor. But Brandi wasn’t done yet! Determined to sharpen her skills, she went on to earn her master’s degree in broadcast journalism at the University of Miami.
Just when it seemed like Brandi was set for a newsroom career, destiny threw her a curveball. She took a leap into the world of modeling and acting, opening doors to the entertainment industry. Then, in 2011, an unexpected opportunity came knocking — a WWE tryout! Wrestling wasn’t something she had planned on, but she decided to give it a shot. As it turns out, it was the beginning of something amazing.
Brandi started her WWE journey as a ring announcer, putting her broadcast experience to good use. But that was just the starting point. Over time, she transitioned from announcing to stepping inside the ring as a wrestler. Eventually, she became a key player in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), proving she’s far more than just “someone’s wife.” Brandi carved her own path, showing the world that she’s a force to be reckoned with — whether she’s holding a microphone or trading moves in the ring!
Brandi Rhode’s wrestling career
Brandi Rhodes may have started her wrestling career with a microphone in her hand, but she wasn’t about to stay behind the scenes forever. In 2011, she stepped into the wrestling world as a ring announcer for Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), later lending her voice to WWE’s NXT under the name Eden Stiles. But by the end of that same year, she walked away from WWE—just as her love story with Cody Rhodes was beginning to unfold.
Fast forward to 2013, and Brandi was back, gracing WWE shows like Main Event and SmackDown as an announcer and backstage interviewer. She even got to call the action on the grandest stage of them all—WrestleMania. In fact, in 2015, she made history as the first Black woman to ever announce at WrestleMania, breaking barriers with every word she spoke.
But Brandi wasn’t content with just holding a mic—she had dreams of stepping into the ring herself. Despite years of training, Brandi never got the opportunity to wrestle in WWE. So, in 2016, she and Cody left WWE together, ready to explore new opportunities beyond the company’s walls.
Determined to prove she was more than just a voice, Brandi hit the independent wrestling scene, competing in promotions like Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and Stardom in Japan. Her hard work paid off in 2018 when she became the first Black woman to wrestle at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s biggest event, Wrestle Kingdom—another glass ceiling shattered. Brandi explained (via Sports Illustrated)
I was brought into WWE many, many moons ago as a developmental talent. Developmental means you’re training to wrestle, and I did that with FCW, and then with my second run at NXT as a wrestler. I was hired to be a wrestler, and I spent all that time training, learning, and working, so this is my chance to showcase that.
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But Brandi wasn’t just making waves inside the ring. In 2019, she took on the role of Chief Brand Officer at All Elite Wrestling (AEW), becoming the first Black woman to hold such a high-ranking executive position in a North American wrestling promotion. She worked twice as hard to prove she was so much more. She helped build AEW’s brand from the ground up, making her mark behind the scenes just as much as she did in the ring.
In 2022, she and Cody stepped away from AEW, closing that chapter of their wrestling journey. But if there’s one thing Brandi has always shown, it’s that she’s not just standing in someone else’s shadow. She’s a game-changer, a trailblazer, and a woman who keeps evolving—both in wrestling and beyond.
Cody Rhodes embraced parenthood along with his wife Brandi with the arrival of their baby girl
Beyond the world of wrestling, Brandi and Cody have embraced one of life’s greatest adventures—parenthood. The couple announced Brandi’s pregnancy in December 2020.
Their excitement about welcoming a new addition to their family was through the roof. On June 18th of 2021, their family of two became three with the arrival of Liberty Iris. Even before her arrival, Liberty had a special place in their lives, with a Disney-themed nursery waiting for her at home. After all, she is their little princess.
For Cody, becoming a father was a game-changer. He had never really imagined himself in the role. He and Brandi had spent years focusing on their careers and had been enjoying life as a duo. But the moment Liberty arrived, everything changed. Fatherhood brought him a new sense of purpose, and he couldn’t have been happier.
Brandi, too, embraced motherhood wholeheartedly. Stepping away from AEW gave her the freedom to spend more time with Liberty and shape her parenting journey the way she wanted. She said (via People),
I’ve had many career changes that weren’t really anticipated over the past year and it actually turned out to be a really great thing because through these changes I have had the ability to be like, ‘You know what? I’m prioritizing my daughter. So we are literally just doing whatever we want. We’re discovering things together, we’re traveling together. I’m able to say, ‘Hey, I want my baby here.’ I’ve been blessed with the freedom to be able to see motherhood exactly how I want to right now.
No longer bound by the demanding schedules of the wrestling world, she had the flexibility to travel, explore, and experience life with her daughter. She took pride in being able to make Liberty her top priority, something that wouldn’t have been possible had she still been juggling wrestling and executive responsibilities.
What is Brandi Rhodes doing now?
Brandi Rhodes may have hung up her wrestling boots, but slowing down? Not a chance! These days, she’s channeling her energy into a whole new passion. She has made her way into the health and fitness industry with a bang!
In July 2023, Brandi announced her latest venture. She was launching her own yoga and Pilates studio, along with an online fitness app for virtual workouts. Her inspiration? Motherhood.
After welcoming her daughter, Liberty, she turned to yoga and Pilates to rebuild her strength. This helped her both physically and mentally. The impact was life-changing, and she knew she wanted to help others experience the same transformation.
By the end of 2023, Brandi was all in, creating a space where people could find balance, strength, and confidence. With her online app, she made sure that no matter where you are, you can access her workouts and wellness tips.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
