18 Lessons from Cody Rhodes That Could Change How You Chase Success

Cody Rhodes’s story is more than a wrestling comeback—it’s a masterclass in reinvention. Born on June 30, 1985, Cody Runnels (better known to the world as Cody Rhodes) started his WWE career under the shadow of his father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes. After a promising start, he was repackaged as “Stardust,” a glitter-covered cosmic character that never quite clicked with fans—or with Cody himself.

But instead of accepting a ceiling, he walked away from the spotlight in 2016 to bet on his own vision. That risk paid off. Cody helped launch All Elite Wrestling (AEW), became a voice for a new generation, and then made a thunderous return to WWE in 2022—culminating in a headline victory at WrestleMania 40.

As of 2025, Cody Rhodes is a millionaire, with an estimated net worth of $8 million and a WWE salary reportedly around $3 million annually.

So, we asked leaders across industries:
What can we learn from Cody Rhodes’s bold moves?
And how has his journey from Stardust to main-event star inspired your own?

The answers? Insightful… Powerful… Surprising!

Whether you’re rebuilding your brand, pushing through criticism, or stepping into your next big role—these lessons might just help you finish your own story.

18 Lessons from Cody Rhodes That May Just Change How You Lead, Grow, and Reinvent Yourself:

1. Through Perseverance, We Rise

I’ve discovered that perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds is the most powerful lesson from Cody Rhodes’s career-a principle I’ve applied to planning seemingly impossible travel itineraries.

After watching Rhodes leave WWE in 2016 to bet on himself in the independent circuit, I was inspired to take a similar leap when clients wanted an impossible Big Sur coastal adventure during peak season with just two weeks’ notice; instead of saying no, I leveraged relationships built over years to secure cancellation spots at previously “full” accommodations.

Rhodes’s willingness to rebuild his identity after leaving his father’s legacy behind mirrors what I tell travelers about authentic experiences–sometimes you need to leave the beaten path to find your true journey.

When Rhodes helped build AEW from scratch rather than accepting comfortable mediocrity, it reminded me of a family I worked with who scrapped their conventional Napa Valley tour for a self-directed adventure through California’s hidden coastal vineyards; they later told me this “finish the story your way” approach resulted in their most meaningful vacation in decades.

The most powerful lesson Cody Rhodes teaches us is that a “throne-breaking” moment—breaking past limitations—can transform both careers and personal journeys. When Rhodes returned to WWE, he came back a bigger star than when he left.

I’ve seen a similar pattern in travel. One couple missed their Muir Woods reservation due to fog but stumbled upon the quieter, more magical Armstrong Redwoods. That experience became the highlight of their trip. Sometimes, your “championship moment” comes from embracing unexpected detours.

— Joe Hawtin, Owner, Marin County Visitor

2. Resilience Redefines Career Paths

Cody Rhodes’s career is a testament to the power of resilience and the courage to redefine oneself in the face of challenging circumstances. Early in his career, Cody was primarily seen as just another member of the WWE roster, often overshadowed by more prominently featured wrestlers. However, his decision to leave WWE, a move considered risky at the time, marked a pivotal shift.

By stepping away from the security of a well-established company, he ventured into the uncertain territories of the independent wrestling circuit and later helped to found All Elite Wrestling (AEW). This bold move not only revitalized his career but also altered the landscape of professional wrestling, proving that independence and a strong personal vision can lead to unprecedented success.

Cody’s example shows that taking control of one’s career path, even when it means stepping into the unknown, can lead to remarkable achievements. His journey encourages individuals to pursue their true passions and stand firm in their beliefs, no matter how daunting the obstacles might appear.

Such a story resonates not just with athletes but with anyone striving to make impactful decisions in their professional lives. This lesson is clear: never underestimate the power of self-belief and the courage to take the road less travelled. It could very well redefine your success and influence those around you.

— Alex Cornici, Marketing & PR Coordinator, Insuranks

3. Calculated Risks Lead To Real Estate Success

Cody Rhodes showed me that sometimes you need to step away from the familiar to find your true worth, just like when my wife and I left traditional real estate to start Cash For Your Home. We’ve seen houses that others gave up on, similar to how Cody rebuilt his career outside WWE, and transformed them into beautiful homes that create value for everyone involved.

His journey taught me that taking calculated risks and believing in your vision, even when others don’t see it, can lead to amazing transformations – whether it’s in wrestling or real estate.

— Juan Cava, Co-Founder, Cash For Your Home

Related: Lessons from Roman Reigns WWE

4. Persistence and Reinvention Drive Success

Cody Rhodes’s career has shown me the importance of persistence and reinvention. Early in his career, he could have been just another wrestler under the shadow of his famous family name.

Instead, he took risks and reinvented himself, breaking away from the comfort of established paths. I’ve seen that in marketing too, sometimes, sticking to the traditional approach isn’t enough. In my role at PSS, we’ve needed to think outside the box and create new strategies to connect with expats.

For example, rather than just advertising overseas moving services, we’ve started sharing real-life stories of expats to make our content more relatable and personal. This shift helped us build a stronger, more emotional connection with potential clients, much like how Cody reshaped his brand and audience by daring to be different.

— Hugh Dixon, Marketing Manager, PSS International Removals

5. Betting On Yourself Unlocks Career Renaissance

Cody Rhodes taught me that betting on yourself is the ultimate power move. When he wasn’t getting the spotlight he deserved in WWE, he didn’t just complain—he left, rebuilt his brand from scratch on the indie scene, and came back bigger than ever. He turned what looked like a career risk into a career renaissance.

I pulled the same play when I left a comfortable agency job to build my own business. It was scary, messy, and way harder than sticking with the safe route—but it opened doors that playing it safe never could. Sometimes you have to walk away from good to chase great.

— Justin Belmont, Founder & CEO, Prose

6. Bold Choices Propel Career And Audience Engagement

Lesson: Take a chance and bet on yourself to be great. Cody Rhodes’s career is a lesson in resilience from making bold choices.

Example: In 2016, sick of his WWE Stardust gimmick, he left, even with guaranteed dates, because he believed in himself. He turned out to be just fine on the indies and co-founded AEW, solidifying his star status. His WWE return in 2022 culminated with a WrestleMania 40 title victory, finally realizing his dream.

Lesson learned: It taught me to follow my instinct. At ICS Legal, I risked pushback by proposing a new content strategy. It increased client engagement by 20%.

Tip: Embrace uncertainty, as Rhodes has, in order to realize your potential.

— Amir Husen, Content Writer & Associate, ICS Legal

7. Reinvention Is Essential For Success

The most powerful lesson I’ve learned from Cody Rhodes’s career is that reinvention is not a risk–it’s a requirement. Watching Cody shed the “Stardust” persona and walk away from a global stage to rebuild himself on his terms? That’s the kind of boldness we live by at MyTurn.

When we started, everyone expected us to be just another recruiting platform. But like Cody, we weren’t interested in playing a part someone else wrote. We broke out of the traditional model, focused on underserved industries like cybersecurity, and built an ecosystem where both talent and employers could rewrite their stories.

Cody’s return to WWE as a main-event star wasn’t a comeback–it was proof that betting on your vision, no matter how unconventional, pays off. At MyTurn, that mindset fuels everything we do. Reinvent or be forgotten.

— Amit Doshi, Founder & CEO, MyTurn

8. Embrace The Journey For Long-Term Success

Cody Rhodes taught me that success isn’t about overnight wins, but embracing the long journey. When he left WWE in 2016, I watched him rebuild himself on the independent circuit, proving that sometimes you need to step back to move forward.

His return to WWE in 2022 showed me that staying true to your vision while being adaptable is crucial – just like how I’ve had to pivot our marketing strategies at Zentro Internet multiple times to stay relevant.

— Andrew Dunn, Vice President of Marketing, Zentro Internet

9. Setbacks Are Stepping Stones To Growth

Working with teenagers in mental health, I’ve learned from Cody Rhodes that setbacks aren’t failures – they’re stepping stones to growth, just like when he left WWE in 2016 and rebuilt himself on the independent circuit.

When my young clients struggle with self-doubt, I share how Rhodes turned his ‘undeniable’ catchphrase into reality through consistent effort, showing them that persistence and self-belief can overcome any obstacle.

— Aja Chavez, Executive Director, Mission Prep Healthcare

10. Leaving Comfort Zone Spurs Business Growth

The biggest lesson I’ve learned from Cody Rhodes is that leaving your comfort zone can lead to incredible growth, just like when I had to make tough decisions in expanding our cosmetics business.

When Rhodes left WWE in 2016, it seemed risky, but he rebuilt himself into a bigger star through AEW and independent wrestling, similar to how I ventured into e-commerce despite being comfortable with physical stores.

His journey taught me that sometimes you need to bet on yourself and take calculated risks, which helped me push through doubts when launching our online platform that now generates 40% of our revenue.

— Justin King, Director of Operations, Charette Cosmetics

11. Betting On Yourself Builds Revolutionary Success

The most powerful lesson I’ve taken from Cody Rhodes is how he turned his departure from WWE into an opportunity to build something revolutionary with AEW, similar to how I transformed Dirty Dough from scratch into a multi-million dollar franchise.

In both franchise development and wrestling, I’ve learned that true success often comes from having the courage to bet on yourself and create your own path, even when others doubt your vision.

— Bennett Maxwell, CEO, Franchise KI

12. Personal Branding Transforms Career Trajectory

As a marketing professional, I’ve been amazed by how Cody Rhodes masterfully transformed his personal brand from ‘Stardust’ to ‘The American Nightmare’ – it’s a perfect example of reinvention I share with my clients.

When he left WWE, he didn’t just change his character; he built a whole new narrative around being a wrestling entrepreneur and independent star, which reminds me of how we help businesses pivot their brand messaging for better market positioning.

His ability to connect with audiences through authentic storytelling, like his emotional Royal Rumble return in 2023, shows why genuine brand stories always resonate more than manufactured ones.

— Ryan Young, Owner, Revive Marketing Services

13. Discipline Drives Success Amid Setbacks

As a former athlete, I’ve learned from Cody Rhodes that true success comes from staying disciplined even when facing setbacks, just like how I maintained focus while transitioning from sports to running Heat Print Hub.

When our initial printing technology became outdated, I didn’t give up but instead adapted like Rhodes did after leaving WWE, investing in new DTF printers and heat press innovations that better served our customers’ needs.

— Reginald Youngblood, Owner, Heat Print Hub

Must Read: Lessons from Warren Buffett That Could Change How You Think

14. Authentic Storytelling Wins In Marketing

The biggest lesson I learned from Cody Rhodes is how personal branding can transform your entire career trajectory. I saw how he created the ‘American Nightmare’ persona and built an entire movement around it, which reminds me of how we approach influencer marketing at Lusha.

His ability to connect with audiences while staying authentic taught me that genuine storytelling in marketing always wins over forced promotions.

— Yarden Morgan, Director of Growth, Lusha

15. Leave Comfort Zone For Impactful Innovation

In the tech world, I’ve seen many parallels with Cody Rhodes’s journey, especially how he turned his ‘American Nightmare’ persona into a unique brand that resonated with audiences.

His ability to read the market and pivot accordingly mirrors what we do at Tevello, where we’ve learned that sometimes you need to leave your comfort zone and build something entirely new to truly make an impact.

— Or Moshe, Founder and Developer, Tevello

16. Self-Belief Opens Incredible Opportunities

One of the main key takeaways I personally learned from Cody Rhodes’s life is the essence of self-belief. Many doubted he would do well outside the mainstream when he left WWE in 2016. Also, building a name in independent wrestling and assisting to start AEW, he demonstrated that believing in oneself can open incredible opportunities. Though some have doubted me, my achievements have come from believing in myself and my ideas.

For me, staying safe is easy, but Rhodes’s story shows that great results may come from stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking chances. I have seen this firsthand in my own work. Having faith in yourself can turn a difficult situation into a winning strategy. Cody Rhodes’s journey shows that the best paths often come from trusting your instincts. I remember this lesson every day, whether I’m focused on my job or supporting clients in their success.

— Spencer Romenco, Chief Growth Strategist, Growth Spurt

17. AI And Sustainability Drive Procurement Strategies

The trend driving procurement strategies in 2025 is the integration of AI and automation to streamline processes and enhance decision-making. At SonderCare, we’ve successfully adopted AI to forecast demand and optimize inventory management, which has directly reduced our operational costs.

By automating tasks such as supplier evaluation and order fulfillment, we’ve become more responsive to market fluctuations while maintaining product quality and customer satisfaction. This shift in procurement has allowed us to meet customer needs with greater efficiency.

Sustainability also plays a significant role in shaping procurement strategies. At SonderCare, we’ve prioritized sourcing materials from suppliers who hold green certifications. This not only helps us reduce our environmental footprint but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for eco-conscious companies.

The result has been a win-win: meeting our sustainability goals while simultaneously improving operational efficiency and brand value. This approach shows how companies can integrate sustainability into their procurement strategies and remain competitive.

— Kyle Sobko, Chief Executive Officer / Marketing Specialist, SonderCare

18. Value Mentorship and Legacy

One powerful lesson I’ve taken from Cody Rhodes’s journey is how deeply he honors mentorship and legacy—while still carving his own path. From the way he carried his father Dusty Rhodes’s spirit into every promo, to how he built AEW not just as a platform for himself but to uplift other wrestlers, Cody reminds me that true leadership is rooted in both gratitude and vision.

As a content editor, I’ve applied this by helping clients at RyseVisibility shape their messaging with confidence—guiding them to stay authentic while evolving their brand.

Legacy isn’t about repeating the past; it’s about building something that lasts beyond you. Cody lives that out in the ring, and that’s the kind of legacy I want to help create through the content we craft and the partnerships we build.

— Nick Cullen, Content Editor, RyseVisibility

Must Read: Lessons We Can Learn from Paul Heyman (WWE)

Conclusion

Cody Rhodes’s journey isn’t just about titles or returns—it’s about self-respect, bold moves, and building something that lasts even when the odds are stacked against you. He didn’t follow a legacy—he expanded it.

Through every reinvention, Cody showed us the value of persistence and determination. He proved that taking risks isn’t reckless when it’s rooted in purpose—and that real growth often begins the moment you step outside your comfort zone. He found joy in a high-pressure industry, not by playing it safe, but by staying true to what mattered most.

From mentoring future stars to carving his own path, Cody’s story is a reminder that success isn’t just about arriving—it’s about how you get there. And sometimes, rewriting the script is the only way to finish the story the way it was meant to be told.

Cody didn’t wait for permission. And maybe that’s the biggest takeaway of all.

Which insight hit home for you?
And who do you want us to spotlight next on Unicorn Success?

Drop your thoughts—we’re listening.