Cody Rhodes Has Revealed His Full-Time WWE Retirement Date

Cody Rhodes plans to stop wrestling after this specific age.

Around eight years ago, Cody Rhodes (then known as Stardust) parted ways with WWE. Reinventing himself in the Indies and Japan, Rhodes found success as The American Nightmare and went on to co-found AEW with other top stars.

However, after a brief stint at the Jacksonville-based promotion, he returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38. Soon after, the promotion pushed Rhodes to the top and established him as a main-event star. Defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL, Rhodes finally won the WWE Championship after being in the business for nearly two decades.

With still a huge chunk of his career left ahead of him, Rhodes has revealed his retirement plans. With no intentions of wrestling past the age of 45, the former AEW EVP recently shared his thoughts during an appearance on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast with Tom Segura.

Well, third, 39 now, I’d say my contract is running till I don’t want to wrestle full time, definitely, past 45 okay. drop-in? For sure. Keep myself in shape.”

While retiring from in-ring action, Rhodes still wishes to pursue storytelling, shifting his focus toward acting.

I would love to tell stories like we do in the ring, in a different fashion. I would absolutely love, love to do [movies], but I’ve always been so linked into wrestling and coming back to WWE, where winning the championship for WWE is essentially like being the quarterback of the team. So, it’s been the most fun and rewarding time I’ve ever had in my career, but I can definitely see, I don’t think I’d be able to do it on this level — because I feel the best I’ve ever felt.

I feel the best I’ve ever felt at what to do in front of a live crowd, plus we have all these new kids. I was working with one the other day, Carmelo Hayes, really young guy coming up from our developmental system. To be able to see him, hear things, and hear an audience and, ‘Okay, this is why that didn’t work. This is why it did work.’ I’d love to do it at this level, up until probably 45.”

H/t Fightful

Before joining the world of pro wrestling, Cody Rhodes was also a part of the Howard Fine Acting School in Los Angeles for a year.

While the current champion wants to stop wrestling at 45, several other stars have hung up their boots before reaching that age, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, AJ Lee, and Bryan Danielson.

On the other hand, several other names have gone on to wrestle past 50, or even in their 60s, including Chris Jericho and Sting.

Cody Rhodes Has Reportedly A Big Match Lined Up For Him At WrestleMania 41

While previously a match against The Rock was pitched for Rhodes, it does not seem to be in the plans right now. The promotion has now set aside another big match for Rhodes. As per a report from PWInsider, Cody Rhodes is rumored to face John Cena at WrestleMania 41, with his Championship on the line.

In other news: A recently returned AEW star has set her next target on Mercedes Mone.