You see her at ringside during the biggest matches of the year, usually dressed to the nines and looking like she owns the building. Most people just call her Brandi Rhodes, or perhaps more simply, Cody Rhodes wife. But if you think she’s just a "plus one" in the wrestling world, you’re missing about 90% of the story. Brandi is a former news anchor, an figure skater, an executive, and a mom who basically helped build a billion-dollar wrestling company from scratch.
Seriously.
The story of Brandi and Cody isn't your typical "boy meets girl at work" vibe, even though they did meet at WWE. It’s more like two hyper-ambitious people found each other and decided to take over an entire industry.
The Reality of Brandi Rhodes and the "Wife" Label
Kinda funny, right? Brandi Alexis Runnels (her real name, though she uses Reed or Rhodes professionally) has a resume that would make most people tired just reading it. She didn't grow up wanting to take bumps in a wrestling ring. She was a competitive figure skater for nearly two decades. Seventeen years on the ice! That kind of discipline stays with you. She even went to the University of Michigan on a full scholarship before getting a Master’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Miami.
She was literally a local news reporter when WWE came calling.
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Most fans remember her first run as Eden Stiles. She was the ring announcer with the incredible voice and the poise that made every match feel like a main event. But while she was announcing the wrestlers, she was falling for one of them.
How They Actually Met (The "Ear" Incident)
Cody likes to tell this story where he gave her some "peer-to-peer" advice backstage about her hair being too big. Typical Cody, right? Brandi thought he was flirting. She wasn't wrong. On their third date, they went to a Halloween event, and she says that's when she knew.
There's a famous bit of trivia where she allegedly blew in his ear to get his attention. She denies it, saying she was just breathing, but whatever happened, it worked. They got married in September 2013, and since then, they’ve been an inseparable unit. When Cody left WWE in 2016 because he was unhappy with the "Stardust" character, Brandi left just days later. She didn't have to. She chose to.
Breaking Down the AEW Era and "Chief Brand Officer"
If you want to talk about impact, you have to talk about All Elite Wrestling (AEW). When the "Elite" group decided to start their own promotion, Brandi wasn't just standing in the corner. She became the Chief Brand Officer.
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She was the first Black woman to hold an executive position of that level in a major North American wrestling promotion. That’s a massive deal. She handled partnerships, diversity initiatives, and even launched "AEW Heels," a community specifically for female fans.
- The Struggle: It wasn't always easy. Wrestling fans can be... intense.
- The Heat: Brandi often faced a lot of "heat" (wrestling speak for being disliked) for her on-screen characters.
- The Pivot: She eventually learned to lean into it, becoming a "heel" or villain when necessary.
She even wrestled! She stepped into the ring against some of the best in the world, proving she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. But the corporate side was where she really flexed. She helped secure major brand deals and kept the company’s image polished while Cody was out there bleeding for the fans.
Life After the Ring: Yoga, Pilates, and Motherhood
Fast forward to 2026, and life looks a lot different for the Rhodes family. After leaving AEW in early 2022—a move that shocked the entire wrestling community—Brandi shifted her focus. While Cody returned to WWE to "finish the story" and become the face of the company, Brandi took a step back from the spotlight to build something of her own.
She opened Naked Mind, a wellness studio in North Atlanta. It’s focused on yoga and Pilates reformer classes. She’s put in over 200 hours of training to get certified. Honestly, it makes sense. After years of the high-stress, high-impact world of professional wrestling, finding peace on a yoga mat is a major vibe shift.
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The Runnels Family Expansion
They have a daughter now, Liberty Iris, born in June 2021. And if you follow Brandi on social media, you know Liberty is the real boss of the house. Recently, in late 2025, they even welcomed a second daughter, Leilani Ella.
Cody often talks about how he never thought he'd be a father. He says they were just a "dual-income, weirdo family" for years, living like they were in their 20s. Now, they're the "Royal Family" of wrestling, but with car seats and diaper bags.
Why Brandi Still Matters to the WWE Audience
Even though she isn't signed to a WWE talent contract as a wrestler right now, Brandi is everywhere. She was there at WrestleMania XL when Cody finally won the big one. She’s his sounding board, his advisor, and the person who keeps him grounded.
People search for "Cody Rhodes wife" because they see the chemistry. They see a woman who is incredibly successful on her own—someone with a net worth estimated around $7 million—who chooses to be his biggest supporter. It’s a partnership in the truest sense.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow her journey or learn from her "pivot" mindset, here's what you should keep an eye on:
- Check out Naked Mind: If you're in the Atlanta area or want to follow her wellness journey, her studio offers a look at how to transition from a physical career to a longevity-focused one.
- Watch "Rhodes to the Top": If you can find the reruns or streaming clips, it gives a great behind-the-scenes look at their dynamic as a power couple.
- Follow her Socials: She is very active on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), often sharing the reality of being a "WrestleMania Mom" while running her own businesses.
Brandi Rhodes isn't just a supporting character in Cody's story. She’s the co-author of the whole book. Whether she's on a yoga mat or standing in the middle of a 60,000-seat stadium, she’s clearly just getting started.