Backstage WWE Rumors: Latest on Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair and More

WWE has been as hot in 2023 as it has been in two decades, with the company routinely breaking box office records, achieving historic merchandise sales, and building bigger stars through overarching storytelling methods.

One star who has helped carry the company both on and off-screen, Cody Rhodes, headlines this collection of wrestling rumors and innuendo.

Joining his current contractual status is the latest on Charlotte Flair's sizeable new deal as well as the company's most recent historic stop at Madison Square Garden.

Cody Rhodes Contract Update

Cody Rhodes has been one of the biggest stars in WWE since joining the company in 2022, its most popular babyface, an advocate for the company, and the central figure in some of the company's most historically successful events.

He has earned a contract extension and according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, it is coming. "One is expected to be signed, and an agreement is in place, we're told."

The insider reported previously that it was WWE's parent company that has made it a priority to get the deal done.

"We haven't heard about terms, but everyone we've spoken to in the industry expects Cody to get a sizable raise whenever the deal does occur. We're told that the contract extension is specifically a priority of TKO, and those that we spoke to were confident a deal would get done eventually."

Sapp did admit to some confusion surrounding whether or not The American Nightmare had already signed the deal.

"Fightful reported Friday that WWE was looking to imminently re-sign him. This weekend, Wrestling Observer reported that a deal was signed in October, but sources close to Cody himself claim that there's some confusion on that front."

He continued, "Their claim is that the approach and initial offer from WWE was made in October, but no deal was signed at that point."

Whether a deal has or has not been signed, there is no denying the incredible impact Rhodes has had on WWE and vice versa.

Rhodes has been a tremendous spokesperson for the company and his merchandise sales have been monumental.

Sapp reported shortly after the Survivor Series premium live event in November, "There were some within WWE who claimed that Cody Rhodes' merch sales in Chicago were the highest at an event in the company's history in Chicago. When we asked WWE in an official capacity, they didn't deny it."

He has forged the sort of connection with fans as a top-tier babyface that the company had spent the last decade looking for. He is believable, has a story that is simple to understand and appreciate and is as great a storyteller between the ropes as there is.

He has also helped bridge the gap between the die-hard fans who may be more inclined to back All Elite Wrestling and the more casual, family-friendly audience of WWE. He deserves credit for that and will receive it in the form of a new deal reflecting his contributions, both on-screen and off.

The Latest on Charlotte Flair's Mega Deal

Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com confirmed an earlier report that 14-time women's champion Charlotte Flair has re-signed with WWE.

Sapp reported for Fightful Select, "In addition, we've heard that it is a huge money increase over her last contract, and one of the highest-paid deals to a woman in WWE history" and "We're told that a travel bus was included in the deal, which [is] becoming increasingly more common among professional wrestlers."

Unfortunately, the report came just after The Queen suffered a devastating knee injury in which she tore her MCL, ACL, and meniscus during a match with Asuka on the December 8 episode of SmackDown.

She will miss nine months.

Like Rhodes, Flair has earned the potentially historic deal. One of the revolutionaries of women's wrestling and a performer who is among the best to ever do it. She has star power, and aura, and has delivered her best on the biggest stages.

She is the rare competitor who entered the industry in the shadow of a legendary father and has forged her path, created her legacy, and will eventually join him in the Hall of Fame.

WWE Reportedly Sets All-Time Record at Madison Square Garden

WWE returned to Madison Square Garden Tuesday night, with a star-studded lineup that included CM Punk's first match with the company in a decade, Cody Rhodes battling Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bullrope Match, and Seth Rollins defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre.

A blockbuster lineup, coupled with a red-hot product, helped the company make history in its first stop on this year's holiday tour, per Sapp.

"Internal WWE live events reports claim that WWE's live event in Madison Square Garden was sold out. The event was said to be the highest-grossing domestic non-televised event of all-time for WWE."

He added in a follow-up, "This is set to be one of WWE's more financially successful live event trips ever, according to sources within WWE" and "WWE did have cameras at WWE MSG as they do for every live event, and said that parts of the show could end up airing later."

Of great interest was Punk's return match against Dominik Mysterio, which Sapp reported was viewed over one million times via pirated clips.

The show was indicative of the power of the WWE product in 2023, the interest in Punk, and his ability to draw. It is also reflective of the job Triple H and Co. have done to create characters that people care about, stories they can invest in, and a live experience they will take their families to see live.

With the hottest period of the year coming up with the run from Royal Rumble to WrestleMania, do not expect those numbers to weaken any time soon.