Cody Rhodes reveals timeline for end of full-time career

Cody Rhodes addressed how much longer he plans to wrestle full-time during a recent appearance on the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast. 

The 39-year-old once said he didn’t want to wrestle past 40. However, as that milestone has drawn closer, he’s adjusted his timeline. Rhodes told Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura that he now doesn’t see himself wrestling full-time past the age of 45. 

“I don’t want to wrestle full-time definitely past 45. I’ll drop in for sure, keep myself in shape,” Rhodes said. 

When asked if a career in acting is on the table after he ends his in-ring career, Rhodes responded:

“I’d absolutely love to do it. But I’ve always been so linked into wrestling, and coming back to WWE, where winning the championship for WWE is essentially like being the quarterback of the team. So, it’s been the most fun and rewarding time I’ve ever had in my career.” 

“Plus, we have all these new kids. I was working with one the other day, Carmelo Hayes, a really young guy coming up from our developmental system. Being able to see him hear things, hear an audience, and this is why that didn’t work, this is why it did work—I’d love to do at this level up until probably 45.”

Rhodes and Hayes have worked together in several dark matches in recent months. Their last match was after the December 9, 2024, edition of WWE Raw.

Rhodes’ next title defense on WWE programming was announced on Friday’s edition of SmackDown. He’ll face Kevin Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble with the WWE Undisputed Championship and the Winged Eagle belt hanging above the ring. 

Rhodes’ full appearance on the podcast is available below: