Cody Rhodes has addressed the criticism WWE’s NIL (Next In Line) system gets from hardcore wrestling fans, arguing the athlete-recruitment model is how the industry has always worked.
Cody Rhodes (Credits: Fightful)
WWE launched its NIL talent recruitment system back in 2021, bringing in stars like Oba Femi and Tiffany Stratton. Speaking on the Double Coverage Podcast with host Zach Hirsch, Rhodes pushed back on the idea that recruiting athletes dilutes the product.
Cody Rhodes on WWE NIL: “That’s How We Used To Do It”
“Today, hardcore wrestling fans don’t always love the NIL system,” Rhodes said. “And I don’t think they realize, or maybe they do — that’s how we used to do it. You were out there looking for, ‘Hey, this guy he’s a baseball player out here. I think he’d be great. He’s got a great look.'”
Rhodes pointed to legends like Ernie ‘Big Cat’ Ladd, who came from pro football, and recalled promoter Bill Watts spotting an offensive lineman at an airport and pitching him on wrestling: “‘Hey, try this.’ They were looking for the athlete.”
Why WWE Looks for Athletes: “The Wrestler’s Always Going to Find Wrestling”
His core argument: passionate wrestling lifers will find their way to WWE no matter what. “Johnny Gargano was always going to find WWE,” Rhodes said. “But these others that are from the sports world, if you put it in front of them, they might fall in love with it.”
He singled out Oba Femi — the former Alabama shot put record-setter — as proof of concept: “I think he’s falling in love with it. He’s out there shot putting or whatever the heck it was for Alabama, like setting records.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Rhodes also talked about 50 Cent and his father Dusty Rhodes’ legacy in wrestling.
Also Read: Kam Hendrix On His Transition From Football To Pro Wrestling
Source: Fightful — read the full story there.
