Cody Rhodes has confirmed reports that he has signed a new deal with WWE ahead of WrestleMania XL.
Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported late last year that Rhodes had agreed a new multi-year contract with WWE in October.
After departing the company in 2016, Rhodes appeared in a variety of independent wrestling promotions before becoming a founding member of All-Elite Wrestling and serving as an executive vice president in the promotion.
In 2022, he returned to the WWE, defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38 before triumphing in the following year’s Royal Rumble.
The new deal will see Rhodes in-ring career extend beyond his 40th birthday in June next year.
Asked why he has pushed back his previously stated plans to retire at 40, Rhodes explained that hitting his prime nearly two decades into his career led him to reconsider.
‘I can tell you 40’s out of the question, just because – not to like give you a scoop because it was widely reported – but I did sign a new contract with WWE. And it extends beyond my 40th birthday.’ Rhodes told Justin Walker of 8 News Now.
‘However, I will say that the plan is still, when it’s time to step out, to step out without it being kind of a painful process. Solely because I saw my dad as an old-man wrestler. And he loved it – he enjoyed it, but as his son it was hard to see.
‘And my daughter, she’s two going on three here shortly, there does have to be a time – just like he did with us – where I have to be home all the time and be there with her.
‘So it’s not 40 anymore, but – I don’t know, I’ll update the number. Plus, I hit this prime run late in the game. So I often forget that I’m nearing 40.’
Rhodes is currently embroiled in a bitter feud with the Bloodline that is set to conclude in the main event of both nights of WrestleMania XL.
On the first night, the American Nightmare is set to team up with Seth Rollins to take on The Rock and Roman Reigns.
During last week’s Monday Night Raw, the Rock attacked Rhodes, before continuing the assault with an x-rated rant shared on social media after the show had gone off the air.
In the main event of night two of WrestleMania, Rhodes will take on Reigns in a rematch of their clash in last year’s event as he attempts to end Reigns’ record-breaking run as champion.
