Cody Rhodes Explains Why Some WWE Stars Smelled Bad Backstage

Cody Rhodes just got real about a part of wrestling fans rarely hear about—and it involves who smelled bad backstage.

Speaking on Your Mom’s House, Cody Rhodes was asked a blunt question about how bad some wrestlers can smell. Instead of dodging it, Rhodes gave a detailed answer—and made it clear the issue was more about habits than anything else.

He started by pointing out that it’s not really a major problem today, but back in the grind-heavy touring days, it was much easier to spot who wasn’t keeping up with basic routines.

“I don’t know if we have any current smellers where it’s really bad, but back in the day—when there were Friday, Saturday, Sunday shows and then Monday TV—you could tell the ones who didn’t take their gear out of their bag.”

Rhodes explained that something as simple as airing out gear made a huge difference, and that failing to do it would immediately stand out in a locker room environment. He even took a jab at how avoidable the situation was, especially given the level of the company.

“Because when you get into the hotel room, you’re supposed to take your gear out, hang it on the lampshade, lay your knee pads out—just let it breathe. Bring Febreze, even, or bring multiple sets of gear. What a crazy concept—a billion-dollar company, and you don’t have to have the same set of tights.”

Despite those stories, Rhodes made it clear that the reality might surprise people—most wrestlers actually go out of their way to smell good. He broke down why that’s the case, pointing to the close-contact nature of wrestling and the level of professionalism expected between performers.

“So yeah, you could tell the ones who didn’t. And here’s what might surprise you—most wrestlers smell amazing. Think of it—we’re going out there half-naked, in each other’s face. I’d say this goes for both men and women. I douse myself in cologne.”

Rhodes also revealed some old-school habits that still stick around, including last-minute hygiene routines right before stepping through the curtain. In the end, he framed it less as a funny backstage story and more as a sign of respect between wrestlers who are about to go to war in the ring.

“You’ll see a lot of old-school wrestlers—they’ll be in their trunks and T-shirts, and they’ll brush their teeth right before the match. I hope I’m not giving too much away, but it’s a respect thing. We’re going out there, we’re probably going to punch each other in the face—so it’s about respect.”

Rhodes didn’t just answer the question—he turned it into a look at how seriously wrestlers take even the smallest details behind the scenes, especially when it comes to working closely with each other.

Do you think details like this change how you view what goes on behind the scenes in wrestling, or is it exactly what you expected? Drop your thoughts below and leave your feedback.

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