Last year Cody Rhodes decided to leave WWE and walk his own path, and so far it seems like the risk has paid off. Cody has said he’s making more money than he was in WWE, and aside his financial status, he was able to drop the Stardust gimmick and show people what Cody Rhodes is all about.
For a long time it seemed like WWE was the only game in town, but acts like Cody and The Young Bucks are proving that you can do well without the WWE machine behind you. It seems that Cody’s success has inspired others, as Austin Aries recently noted on Twitter that he’s set to make more money in the next six weeks than he did during his last four months with WWE.
Cody recently spoke to Buffalo News about his success, and the state of the wrestling industry. The current ROH Champion said he’s feeling a lot like he did in 1996 and 1997, and he feels like the wrestling business as a whole is on the cusp of a really good era.
“It’s definitely the road less traveled that I’m on, but there more people navigating it like I am. I could be totally wrong, but I feel a lot like I did in 1996 and ’97 as a fan, when my family’s business was getting ready to be the coolest thing. The next thing I know, I went from being the only wrestling fan in my class to having Nitro parties and the Monday Night War. I feel like we’re on the cusp of entering a really, unbelievably good era for our industry fans and competitors alike. Financially of course, but for fans, there’s variety. You can go onto New Japan World and there’s English commentary primed and ready. The Fite app is primed and ready for Ring of Honor. The WWE Network is primed and ready. It’s whatever you choose.”
Do you agree with Cody? Is wrestling on the cusp of something greater? Sound off in the comments below.
