What happened in this episode?
Cody Rhodes joins Flagrant to discuss his acting work on the forthcoming Street Fighter film and his ongoing role as a top WWE performer. Rhodes and host Andrew Schulz trade behind-the-scenes accounts from the Australia shoot, including Rhodes’ description of being offered the role of Guile at a Legendary meeting where executive Mary Parent told him the studio “really” liked him for the part and stressed that his WWE dates could not move. The group also recounts a cast dinner where, according to Schulz, 50 Cent offered him the watch off his wrist after a drink spill; the hosts speculate about the watch’s value without providing evidence.
Rhodes talks about the discipline and improvisation he associates with both wrestling and acting, praising castmates’ work ethic and describing how filmmakers rewrote or expanded scenes when chemistry emerged on set. In the wrestling section, Rhodes discusses backstage culture, how veterans help younger talent “get over”, and the difference between being “popular” and being truly “over”. He addresses career longevity and says he has re-signed with WWE, adding that he expects to end his wrestling career there while taking occasional steps away for outside projects.
He also comments on the changing economics of WWE, saying developmental pay is now six figures and top-end deals are comparable to mainstream professional sports. Separately, Rhodes says he is considering a revised “American Nightmare” logo concept following the death of his husky Pharaoh after nearly 16 years.
