In the professional wrestling world, Cody Rhodes, popularly known as “The American Nightmare,” has gained widespread recognition. He conquered every challenge to become the WWE’s face. Beyond the roar of stadium fans and the glitter of championship gold, Cody is now in the spotlight for a totally different reason: his unwavering love for his wife, Brandi Rhodes, and her long-lost ambition to play hockey again.
You read properly, yes. Forget about finishing techniques and steel chairs because Cody’s most recent quest takes place outside the squared circle. That is, on a frozen rink.
“She sacrificed her entire lifestyle, her career, and her body to raise our daughter,” Cody said in a recent interview, his voice breaking with grief. “Now is my chance to take command and return something to her, even if it means temporarily quitting WWE.”
Or possibly the Ring to the Rink?
Brandi Rhodes, a former professional wrestler, AEW executive, and WWE ring announcer, is not just another woman in the business. Before the spandex and the spotlight, she was a star at the hockey rink.
At the age of four, Brandi (née Brandi Alexis Reed) started figure skating competitions. She received instruction from Olympians Tara Lipinski and Todd Eldredge at the prestigious Detroit Skating Club. By the time she was in her teens, she was one of the best skaters in her area and had strong Olympic ambitions.
However, at sixteen, she was forced to face the difficult choice of continuing down the arduous path of professional figure skating or pursuing a more traditional academic life. Choosing the latter allowed Brandi to eventually land a job as a local television news reporter and earn a scholarship to the University of Michigan.
“I loved going to school. “I wanted to experience normal life— prom, college, making friends,” she had previously said. “But skating was always my first love.”
Her spouse, who is her staunchest ally, seems to be the reason why that love may now be rekindled.
“She never let herself dream like that again.”
According to others close to the pair, Brandi had quietly expressed for years that she wanted to start figure skating again, but life’s challenges—marriage, wrestling, and motherhood—seemed to push that ambition farther to the side.
“She never allowed herself to dream that way again,” Cody said. “Our industry is a nasty one. It has many requirements. And after Liberty came into our lives, Brandi gave her everything to being a mother.
Liberty Iris Runnels, the couple’s June 2021-born daughter, is the center of their universe. While Brandi ceased competing entirely to focus on becoming a mother, Cody rose to new heights in the WWE, becoming one of the company’s biggest performers and the main attraction at WrestleMania.
But given that Liberty will turn four next year, Cody believes it’s time for Brandi to shine again—not in the ring, but back where her heart belongs.
A Whole Circle
Although Brandi hasn’t formally stated any intentions to return to the ice professionally, insiders claim that she has been spending an increasing amount of time at small rinks in Florida, taking individual lessons and working with a former instructor.
“It started just as a way to stay in shape,” one tale claims. But ever since he saw the light return to her eyes, Cody has been totally dedicated.
With the caption, “Just me and the ice,” Brandi shared a video of herself skating on social media last month. It is familiar again.
The fans were enthralled.
“I had no idea she was this talented,” remarked one admirer. “She’s like a totally different person on the ice.”
With Cody’s full backing and possibly his full-time presence at home, it also looks more and more possible that Brandi will soon resume competitive or exhibition skating.
Cody’s Great Sacrifice
The possibility of one of WWE’s top performers departing, even for a little period of time, has shocked the wrestling community. But Cody doesn’t seem to care.
“Wrestling will always exist. “Brandi’s fantasy has a time limit,” he explained. “Skating is a transient sport. This is her window. And rather than stand by myself in a wrestling ring, I’d rather watch Brandi spin around the ice while holding Liberty’s hand in the stands.
Many backstage insiders claim that Cody has already been planning to reduce his schedule following SummerSlam, even though WWE has not yet made an official statement on the subject.
One insider said, “He’s serious.” He has already postponed numerous engagements to attend Brandi’s training sessions, despite first being perceived as a cute gesture.
A New Chapter for the Rhodes Family?
It’s clear that this is more than just a hobby, even though Brandi’s future on the ice is uncertain. This covers choreography, competition, and even coaching.
“She’s not doing this to kill time,” Cody remarked. This is about regaining the part of herself that she had to give up. Liberty ought to notice that. I want her to realize that you can always go back to what made you feel most alive.
Fans are already speculating as to whether this new chapter may result in a documentary special or reality show that chronicles Brandi’s comeback and Cody’s profession as a full-time “ice husband.”
Whether or not that happens, the Rhodes family is showing that love, sacrifice, and second chances can have an impact that is equal to or greater than any championship ring.
And maybe, just maybe, Brandi Rhodes’ next ice-skating experience will be a dream come true rather than a dream put off.
