Cody Rhodes Reveals Late Discovery of Wrestling’s Scripted Nature at Age 14

One Big Thing

WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes shared that he didn’t understand professional wrestling was scripted until age 14, thanks to his father Dusty Rhodes’ dedication to protecting the business’s magic.

Key Details

• Rhodes made this revelation on the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast
• His father Dusty Rhodes never explained the scripted nature of wrestling
• Young Cody believed real rivalries existed between his father and wrestlers like Ric Flair
• He discovered the truth through watching backstage preparations

Direct Quote

“My dad never explained it to me. There’s this term, kayfabe, and he just figured it was best for me to always believe.”

Two Revealing Moments

• Witnessed DDP and Hacksaw Jim Duggan practicing their match in Daytona
• Found his father’s prop cast with hinges used for public appearances

Why It Matters

This story provides rare insight into how wrestling families handled kayfabe in the past. It shows how the industry’s approach to protecting its secrets has evolved, especially regarding younger fans.

By The Numbers

• Rhodes was 14 when he learned wrestling’s true nature
• His current daughter is 3.5 years old, facing similar discussions about wrestling

The Bottom Line

Dusty Rhodes’ old-school approach to protecting wrestling’s secrets shaped Cody’s early understanding of the business, creating genuine emotional investments in storylines and rivalries.

What’s Your Take?

How should modern wrestling parents balance protecting the magic of professional wrestling while being honest with their children? Share your thoughts in the comments below.