Cody Rhodes Talks WWE, Kurt Angle Match and Acting with Stephen Amell

Former WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes is a wrestling free agent with ample opportunities and an inspiring actor gaining mainstream credentials. The future is bright for the 31-year-old performer.

Not only is Rhodes diving head first into the independent wrestling scene by working for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor, but he is also focusing his attention on an acting career that has already started with a role on the television series Arrow.

In a recent interview with Ring Rust Radio, Rhodes opened up on what he learned from WWE about signing long-term deals, his upcoming match with wrestling legend Kurt Angle, his budding acting career and his friendship with actor Stephen Amell.

After joining WWE’s developmental territory in 2006 and climbing all the way to the upper echelons, Rhodes walked away from the company in 2016. While working for WWE brought him mainstream notoriety, it also taught him a lot about the business side of wrestling.

As Rhodes sits on the open market, he revealed his thoughts on signing long-term deals after his previous experience with WWE:

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I would never sign a full-time deal, and I don’t foresee myself signing a full-time deal with anyone ever again. Ten years is a long time to essentially be owned as a talent. I had a wonderful time with the WWE, but if anything, it taught me that I want to be in control of every move I make. There may be places I’d like to stay longer or put my flag in the sand and rally them as competition against WWE or as an alternative per se, but I like the idea of being a free agent.

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Joining the independent wrestling scene after spending a whole career in WWE may be a daunting proposition for some performers, but Rhodes is ready for the challenge. With scheduled appearances in PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles and ROH, fans will get the chance to see what he can do in different environments.

One of the most intriguing upcoming matches for Rhodes is with Northeast Wrestling Saturday against Kurt Angle. As two of the hottest free agents wrestling, both Rhodes and Angle will have extra incentives to put on elite performances.

When asked about the matchup, Rhodes spoke candidly about squaring off against the Olympic gold medalist and his upcoming work with Ring of Honor:

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He is a first-ballot WWE Hall of Famer. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and I was there in 1996 when he won the gold medal in freestyle with a broken neck. I feel like Kurt Angle has always been a part of my life as a fan, as a wrestler and now competing against one another. That one in particular is a gleaming name on the list that’s kind of pulsing, so whatever happens there is going to be very unique.

The partnership that is just now cultivating how it’s going to go and which way it’s going to work is Ring of Honor. They’re going to take me more places outside of the United States with some more international flavor, and that’s really intriguing to me.

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While Rhodes was born into the wrestling business and already has a decade of experience under his belt, he is also interested in acting. As a role player in the latest season of Arrow, he has been able to pick up where he left his WWE programming storyline against Stephen Amell.

With the chance to sharpen his acting chops on a popular mainstream TV series, Rhodes spoke about his friendship with Amell and his excitement for his role on the fifth season of Arrow:

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I’ve got a lot of respect for Stephen. He reminds me a lot of a pro wrestler actually. He is incredibly good at selling his ideas to folks, he’s always working and his social media is a great example of that. He’s always working to improve the consumer fan experience, so I have a ton of respect for him.

To go and read for a role for Arrow made me happy enough. I flew out to Hollywood and tried out for it, but to get it and to be a guest star in that third episode, and to continue essentially where we left off, is amazing. People who are familiar with the Stardust and Stephen Amell interaction, which to me was the best thing Stardust was able to offer, are going to love the things kind of start where we left off.

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Despite being stifled by the creative team during his time in WWE, Rhodes has kept a positive outlook on the wrestling business and is approaching his run on the independent scene with a refreshed attitude.

Leaving a place you’ve worked for 10 years can be tough, but Rhodes is using his new-found freedom to explore all of his options and enjoy his life. From Ring of Honor to acting, wrestling fans will be happy to see Rhodes able to spread his wings and fulfill his goals.

As one of the most underutilized talents in recent WWE history, the company made a huge mistake not taking advantage of its time with Rhodes. Officials will now have to watch from the sidelines as he takes the same creativity and becomes even more successful elsewhere.

Rhodes heads into an uncertain future with the highest of hopes and the support of an unwavering fanbase.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).