Cody Rhodes announces WWE exit

Cody Rhodes has big plans.

At WrestleMania 41, Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against John Cena in a main event for the ages.

For Cena, the match represents a chance to make history and win a record-breaking 17th world title before he hangs up his boots for good at the end of 2025. For Rhodes, however, a win would add another major name to his career and provide an opportunity to prove himself against the man who dominated WWE as he tried to fight his way to the top.

Cena hasn't been in the ring regularly in recent years, having moved to Hollywood, much like The Rock and Batista. When he finally retires, his future will undoubtedly lie in Hollywood. Interestingly, Rhodes also seems to have glimpsed the same dream.

Cody Rhodes looks to the future

During an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast, Rhodes was asked about his Hollywood ambitions and hinted that he could be the next man to leave wrestling behind.

"I'd love to get out there; there are some exciting projects coming up. I'd love to tell stories that way and develop myself. I love professional wrestling, I always will. But getting out there—I love what the Rock did, I love what John did, and Dave Batista did, too. They all chose different paths to enter Hollywood, and I think I could be the next one to try my hand at that."

After graduating from high school, Rhodes moved to Los Angeles to become an actor and attended the Howard Fine Acting School before beginning his wrestling career in 2006.

The American Nightmare will star in the reboot of "Naked Gun," which is scheduled to be released on August 1, 2025. He previously appeared in the TV series "Arrow."

In 2024, Tiffany Stratton said she wants to move to Hollywood by the age of 30, giving her five more years to conquer the wrestling industry. By comparison, The Rock was 28 when he made his first major film, and his full-time wrestling career ended at 31.