Cody Rhodes And His Wrestling Dynasty: A Legacy of Family, Fame, And Fatherhood
Cody Rhodes (born Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes, June 30, 1985) is a prominent American professional wrestler, currently performing in WWE and known as "The American Nightmare".
Father: Dusty Rhodes (real name: Virgil Riley Runnels Jr.), widely celebrated as "The American Dream," was a WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most influential figures in wrestling history. Dusty passed away in 2015.
Mother: Michelle Rubio is Cody’s mother, Dusty’s second wife.Half-Brother: Dustin Rhodes (Dustin Patrick Runnels), better known as "Goldust," is Cody’s older half-brother from Dusty’s first marriage. Dustin is a veteran wrestler with a storied career in both WWE and AEW.
Sisters: Cody has two sisters:
- Kristin Runnels Ditto, the eldest, is the daughter of Dusty and his first wife, Sandra McHargue.
- Teil Margaret Runnels Gergel, also Dusty’s daughter, has supported Cody’s career from outside the wrestling spotlight.
Wife: Brandi Rhodes (née Brandi Alexis Reed), a retired wrestler, former WWE ring announcer, and executive. She has also worked as a model, news reporter, and appeared in reality TV, including "Rhodes to the Top".
Daughter: Liberty Iris Runnels, born in June 2021. Cody has spoken publicly about how fatherhood has profoundly changed him and motivated him to provide the best life for his daughter.
Cody is a second-generation wrestler, following in the footsteps of his father, Dusty, and alongside his brother, Dustin. He made his WWE debut in 2007 and has held multiple championships, including the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles.
Cody and Dustin have teamed up in WWE, notably as "The Brotherhood," and were managed by their father during key storylines. After leaving WWE in 2016, Cody became a major figure on the independent circuit and was instrumental in founding All Elite Wrestling (AEW)