In this episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, hosts Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer delve into the rich wrestling legacy of Cody Rhodes. Cody reflects on his immersion in the industry from a young age, witnessing the intricate balance between performance and reality through his father, Dusty Rhodes.
The conversation explores the evolving landscape of wrestling, including its expansion to new platforms and integration of advanced technologies. Cody shares memorable interactions with industry icons, intense in-ring experiences, and the impact of wrestling lineages. Throughout the episode, Cody's insights shed light on the blend of performance sports with broader entertainment, highlighting the enduring influence of the Rhodes family in the wrestling world.
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In this podcast episode, Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura explore Cody Rhodes's deep roots in the wrestling industry and his family's legacy. Cody reflects on growing up immersed in the wrestling world through his father, Dusty Rhodes, a prominent figure in the business.
From an early age, Cody was exposed to the intricate world of wrestling, witnessing the delicate balance between performance ("kayfabe") and reality. According to Cody, his father kept him believing the in-ring rivalries were genuine until explaining the distinction between scripted shows and real-life camaraderie.
This immersion fueled Cody's passion for wrestling, leading to physical altercations in elementary school defending its authenticity. Cody pursued various wrestling styles, winning a state championship as a junior and experiencing an undefeated season, highlighting his early talent.
Cody Rhodes remarks on the wrestling industry's evolution, including its expansion to new platforms like Netflix. He expresses enthusiasm about WWE's "Raw" moving to Netflix, suggesting it's a strategic move to integrate live sports into streaming.
Rhodes also touches on the use of advanced technologies in venues, enabling more interactive and data-driven experiences for fans. Audience reactions can be measured and analyzed, providing insights for enhancing the overall product.
Cody recounts interacting with non-wrestling celebrities like Mike Tyson, navigating the challenges of integrating them into the wrestling world. He also describes intense in-ring encounters with Brock Lesnar, which taught him the dedication required to excel.
Additionally, Cody reminisces about working with Mark Henry, whose gentle approach contrasted with his immense strength, highlighting the diverse personalities in the industry. Cody also touches on the influence of wrestling lineages, referencing Mark Henry's son starting his journey.
Cody shares his experience on the "Go Big Show," where he incorporated wrestling into a broader entertainment format. Although no details were provided about his WWE Hall of Fame induction, Cody offers a comedic anecdote about a six-man tag match, showcasing the physical nature of wrestling.
Throughout the episode, Cody's experiences and perspectives highlight the blending of performance sports with other forms of media, as well as the enduring legacy of the Rhodes family in the wrestling industry.
1-Page Summary
Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura share their admiration for Cody Rhodes' lineage, recognizing the impact of his father, Dusty Rhodes, on the wrestling industry. Cody Rhodes himself provides insight into his upbringing and reflects on how it carved his path in professional wrestling.
Cody Rhodes grew up deeply rooted in the wrestling world, often accompanying his father, Dusty Rhodes, who was an executive producer and wrestling booker. He witnessed firsthand the regional nature of wrestling territories during his father's era, like Eddie Graham's control over the Florida wrestling circuit.
As a child, Cody was immersed in the wrestling environment, not yet understanding the delicate balance between performance and reality. His father chose not to break "kayfabe" with him, resulting in Cody believing the in-ring battles and rivalries were genuine. When Cody saw his father bleeding after a match against Haku and then saw Haku's backstage kindness, his belief in what happened in the ring was challenged. Cody recalls his father explaining that the rules differed behind the scenes, teaching him the difference between the scripted show and real-life camaraderie among wrestlers.
Cody's exposure to the wrestling business from an early age, combined with the belief that his father's televised rivalries were real, fueled Cody's passion for wrestling. Even in elementary school, Cody staunchly defended the authenticity of wrestling, leading to physical altercations. As an alternative, his father suggested he could say he was a salesman to avoid confrontation, but Cody remained proud of his father's wrestling identity, a stance he now contemplates with his daughter to protect her from similar situations.
Cody Rhodes' wrestling upbringing and family legacy
The wrestling industry is facing a significant transformation fueled by the expansion to new media platforms such as Netflix and embracing technological advancements that offer more immersive experiences for fans.
Cody Rhodes remarks on the global potential for wrestling content on platforms like Netflix, highlighting the large subscriber base that uses the service actively for streamed fights.
Rhodes expresses enthusiasm about WWE's "Raw" moving to Netflix on January 6th, suggesting it is a strategic move toward integrating live sports into the streaming site. Rhodes believes that while the presentation of "Raw" on Netflix might differ from its traditional form, it may preserve some of its core elements.
Cody underscores the importance of the fact that their evergreen content and wrestling history, including "Raw," are coming to Netflix, marking a substantial moment in the space. He stresses the need to make a strong initial impression on new viewers who may be encountering his performances for the first time on Netflix. The sophistication of the audience and the necessity for authentic, high-quality content to keep new subscribers hooked are pivotal, he points out.
Rhodes touches on how venues ...
The changing landscape of the wrestling industry, including the expansion to new platforms and technology
Cody Rhodes has had the unique opportunity to interact closely with some of wrestling's most iconic figures, including Mike Tyson, Brock Lesnar, and Mark Henry, each experience offering its own lessons and challenges.
Recalling a surreal experience with Mike Tyson at a wrestling event, Cody Rhodes found himself in an unexpected position. Tyson, needing guidance on his appearance for the show, asked Cody, then in a management role, if he needed to apply oil to himself. Cody affirmed, leading to the memorable moment of him helping Tyson oil up—only for Tyson to immediately cover it up with his shirt, which Cody found amusing and pointless. Despite the peculiarity of the situation, it is a testament to Cody's adaptability and willingness to support those outside the wrestling community stepping into it.
While not directly describing his perspectives, the context implies that Cody Rhodes has collaborated with non-wrestlers like Mike Tyson, likely gaining insights into the unique challenges that come with non-wrestlers entering the wrestling sphere.
Cody mentions the three matches he had with Brock Lesnar as some of the most competitive and real-feeling of his career. Wrestling larger opponents like Lesnar taught Cody the meaning of having to "earn it"—the in-ring action was an authentic test of his abilities, pushing his limits and giving him a profound understanding of the dedication required to excel in the wrestling industry.
Contrasting his experiences, Cody reminisces about working with wrestlers like Mark Henry, whose gentle approach in the ring was necessary despite his ...
Cody's experiences and interactions with notable wrestling personalities
Cody Rhodes' experiences in wrestling and entertainment demonstrate the blending of performance sports with other forms of media, bringing unique perspectives both in and out of the ring.
Cody’s role on the "Go Big Show" provided interesting challenges due to the diverse talent featured, including those who were non-wrestlers, creating a rich yet complex experience for audiences. His leadership was pivotal in incorporating wrestling into the broader entertainment format of the show, and the production's evolution over the season reflected a change in the wrestling industry as they discovered Cody was a different kind of performer.
Although no details were provided in regard to his WWE Hall of Fame induction, Cody shares a comedic yet telling anecdote about participating in a six-man tag match at the Show Me Center. Partnered with either Triple H and MVP or Mark Henry, he recounts how Mark Henry fell asleep on the apron, demonstrating a light-hearted moment behind the scenes.
Furthermore, Cody gives an insight into the physical nature of wrestling by recollecting an interaction with Big Show. After irritating Big Show, Cody experienced a "big man kick out," which impressively sent him flying across the ...
Specific wrestling matches, events, and productions
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