Cody Rhodes isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and now we know exactly how long WWE has The American Nightmare locked down.
After Rhodes revealed that he had signed a new WWE deal during an appearance on the Flagrant podcast, The New York Times has now confirmed a major detail that Cody himself left out. His new contract extension is for five years.
The detail was tucked inside The New York Times’ feature on Rhodes and Roman Reigns, which noted that Cody recently put pen to paper on the long-term deal.
“Rhodes recently signed a five-year contract extension with W.W.E., and Reigns wrestled at an event in New Orleans two days before the ‘Street Fighter’ premiere in Los Angeles.”
That five-year term puts a much clearer timeline on the deal Cody accidentally revealed while talking about retirement and his future with WWE. Rhodes explained on Flagrant that he once had a specific age in mind for retirement, but watching names such as Bobby Roode and Michael Hayes transition into other roles changed the way he thinks about eventually stepping away from the ring.
“I think I used to have a number in mind for when wrestling retirement would come, but the way I’ve really grown with the current regime at WWE—and there’s some unsung heroes too. Bobby Roode, for example, and him kind of growing into a role there as a big-time producer on big matches. Michael Hayes is still there doing the exact same thing, Mr. Hayes and all that. One thing I have learned from them is they never have really taken—they’ve never stepped back from it. They’ve stepped into different roles.”
That was when Cody appeared to accidentally break his own contract news.
“So if I—potentially, forgive me if this is breaking news, and please edit it if I’m not allowed to share, which is fine—I just re-signed with WWE, so I’ll end my wrestling career—”
Rhodes even stopped himself and questioned whether he was supposed to be talking about the deal at all.
“Why would I not be able to share that? I don’t know, actually. I feel like we were dealing with a lot of sensitive—but you were really good about—”
Regardless of whether WWE planned to announce it another way, Cody then made the biggest part of his future crystal clear. He intends to finish his in-ring career with the company.
“No, but I’ll end my wrestling career with WWE.”
Rhodes also explained that his new relationship with WWE allows him to pursue projects outside wrestling without needing to completely walk away from the company.
“We’re now able to go do this stuff. So, say I do have another project. Say I got two other projects, whatever it may be. I’m able to take a step away, and I’m able to collaborate with WWE, and I’m able to come back home.”
That flexibility could become increasingly important as Cody continues taking on opportunities outside the ring, but the newly revealed contract length makes one thing clear: WWE remains home base.
Rhodes had already said earlier this year that he wanted his next WWE contract to be his last. Now that the deal is signed and its duration has been revealed, his WWE future looks much more settled. This is a serious long-term commitment, and Cody has made it clear he isn’t viewing this as just another contract. If everything goes according to his plan, this deal could carry him through the final stretch of his in-ring career before he eventually figures out what comes next.
What do you think about Cody Rhodes locking in another long-term WWE deal? Do you think this will actually be the final contract of his wrestling career? Let us know in the comments.
