WWE’s seen three separate retirements in less than a year, and now it seems another top name is signalling the end is near. While he’s not retiring this year or the next, Cody Rhodes seems to have confirmed his retirement plans and where he’ll hang up his boots for the last time.
Last summer, Goldberg had his retirement match, losing to then-World Champion Gunther. Back in December, Gunther was also the final opponent for John Cena, who tapped out to the Ring General. Last month, Gunther retired another WWE legend, AJ Styles. And if the Career Killer is still here in the next five years, he could be the one to put Cody Rhodes down for good.
Cody Rhodes was a guest on ESPN’s UNSPORTSMANLIKE, where he promoted the upcoming WWE PLE, Elimination Chamber. After discussing the men’s Chamber match and a possible rematch with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Rhodes was asked about the series of retirements we’ve seen over the past year. Surprisingly, Rhodes revealed his own expiration date.
https://x.com/UnSportsESPN/status/2026670535187239146
“Wrestler prime is right where we’re at right now, in terms of your ability to put that promo together and to put that match together. I don’t have that end date like I used to. I do know that whatever the next deal that I sign with WWE, I ain’t going nowhere, that next deal will be the last.”
As far as how long that next deal will be, who knows? Wrestlers are now going well into their 40s, some even their 50s, still at the top of their game, something Cody Rhodes understands.
WWE’s top stars prove age is no longer a factor
In the statement above, Rhodes alluded to once having an end date selected for his professional wrestling career. Things have changed, though. Professional wrestling has changed. Now, the prime of an in-ring competitor has shifted from the mid 30s all the way to the 40s and 50s.
“I used to think… I used to not love the wrestling, kind of, trying ‘past your time?’ But wrestling is so unique in terms of… It’s hard to determine your time. Especially in 2026, with the level of athlete that you can grow to be.” [15:00-15:16]
Rhodes mentioned Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk as three guys in their early to late 40s who are still at the top of their game. Rhodes and Roman are both 40, while Punk and Lesnar are closer to 50. And yet, they’re all able to work as well, if not better, than they could over a decade prior. Age, after all, is just a number.