Cody Rhodes Reveals He Did Some Indie Shows for Free

Cody Rhodes knows the grind. From 2016 to 2019, Rhodes was one of the top names in independent wrestling, carving out a fresh identity after his WWE stint and proving himself in rings across America and overseas. That hard work laid the foundation for his role in creating AEW alongside Tony Khan, The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega.

With the indie wrestling scene evolving over the years, Cody dropped some solid advice for wrestlers on the hustle during a recent appearance on The Flagrant podcast.

“I noticed guys would come from WWE, and this promoter might have 200 seats to sell. They’re all $20 or $30, and they’re going to get something from the table if they have a merchandise element. I’d see guys price themselves at $4500 a show,” he said. “I didn’t want to be that guy because I knew they won’t bring me back.”

“There were some shows I did for free. There were some I would do for $1500 and some for $750. It was all over the map. The point was, they were going to have such a good time… you’ll keep me coming, so I’ll always stay booked.”

Advertising

Advertising

He criticized the trend of inflated fees in today’s indie circuit. “The money is now huge in our game, so guys are saying, ‘I need first class and six grand.’ There are 200 people. Take a look at the room.”

Rhodes gave props to Matt Cardona for successfully navigating the indie scene post-WWE. Cardona’s commitment to hustling has solidified his status in the current wrestling landscape, a move that echoes Cody’s own path.

For wrestlers aiming to stay booked and build their brand on the independent circuit, Cody’s message is simple: be realistic, work hard, and make sure promoters see you as an asset worth inviting back.