Transcript

A (0:00)

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A (0:50)

Hello, this is the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. We are on my home away from home. My tour bus. Welcome to what do you want to talk about a fanatics and WWE original production. My guest today. My guest this evening because a little secret. We are at Evolution and this lady just tore the house down. Tore the house down, left a winner and we get to have her here now on the podcast. Please welcome seven time world champion. She's also won the Royal Rumble and she has the distinction of going on last and main eventing a Wrestlemania. The man indeed. Welcome to what do youo Want to Talk About? Becky Lynch.

B (1:33)

Oh, thanks. Thanks guys. Appreciate you. Thanks. Thanks for the clap.

A (1:40)

How do you feel? That's actually the first time they've clapped.

B (1:42)

Oh really?

A (1:43)

Yes. So maybe we had a forced clap for someone recently where it was like, hey Ko Ko.

B (1:51)

I. I saw a clap on KLAP.

A (1:52)

Though, because K came in ready to roll.

B (1:56)

Okay.

A (1:56)

And he was prime. He was ready for game day.

B (2:00)

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

A (2:01)

Did you like it?

B (2:01)

I loved it. I loved it. I was laughing.

A (2:04)

What'd you like? I want to ask what'd you like most? Because there's probably two hours left on the editing room floor where he went in.

Summary

What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Guest: Becky Lynch
Date: August 20, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts
Episode Theme:
Cody Rhodes welcomes WWE Superstar Becky Lynch aboard his tour bus for a candid, laughter-filled, and often insightful conversation about wrestling, balancing life and legacy, family, career evolution, backstage stories, and finding joy in the chaos. The episode is punctuated by heartfelt moments, banter, storytelling, and genuine professional respect.

Episode Overview

This episode features an intimate, freewheeling talk between Cody Rhodes ("The American Nightmare") and "The Man" Becky Lynch, fresh off a show-stealing performance at WWE Evolution. The discussion dives into Becky's path from Ireland to WWE stardom, her family/work balancing act, perspectives on wrestling role dynamics, backstage shenanigans, brushes with Hollywood, and the nuances of building and sustaining a career as one of pro wrestling's most beloved characters. Listeners get a rare peek behind the curtain as two industry leaders reflect on success, insecurity, legacy, and life outside the ring.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter and Backstage Banter

Cody welcomes Becky after her big win at Evolution, noting it's the first time their modest "live" podcast audience has clapped for a guest.
Early conversation riffs on backstage banter, editing out-of-line podcast content (re: Kevin Owens episode), and the idea of a potential "Stardust" bonus episode if the show hits a milestone.
- Memorable Quote (03:11):
  
  Becky: "You gotta release the director's cut."
  Cody: "I’m not in charge of this train!"

2. International Roots & The Importance of Conversation

Discussion of Irish bar culture as a "chatty" environment; Becky laments how face-to-face conversations and spontaneous social moments are fading in modern life. (05:25)
Becky recounts formative flights to America with her mom, a flight attendant, and how those trips sowed her dreams of wrestling abroad. (08:31)
Both agree that adventures often come from saying "yes" to new experiences, even if it’s just a chat or an unexpected fishing trip.

3. Scheming, Career Pivots, and "The Dream"

Becky explains her journey: moving to Canada to wrestle, a personal training course in Orlando when wrestling seemed over, and "always scheming" for her next step. (09:44)
Cody asks about future ambitions now that she’s "done it all." Becky describes enjoying acting projects, loving her family, and the tension between pursuing career highs and growing her family.
- Notable Quote (11:32):
  
  Becky: “My daughter is always... asking for a little brother. She’s like, ‘when you’re done working, when you make enough money, then can I have my little brother?’...But I love working.”
Discussion of parental guilt, absence, and the sacrifices required by life on the road.

4. Backstage Legends, Drivers, and WWE "Family"

Lively back-and-forth on the unsung heroes of WWE: the bus drivers.
- Becky and Cody debate the legitimacy of “Driver of the Year” honors, singing their drivers' praises and lamenting the injustice of Roman Reigns’ driver Charlie winning despite minimal days worked. (26:39)
- Anecdotes about their drivers’ musical talents and family bands add humor (29:36).

5. Partners in Life: Seth "Colby" Rollins

Extended discussion of Becky’s home dynamic with husband Seth Rollins. Becky describes their balance: he acts like she’s the boss at home but “I revere him more than any person ever. I think he’s the greatest, the smartest, the coolest...”
- Key Quote (31:55):
  
  Becky: "I feel so unbelievably lucky...the fact that I have this family...that's life, that's living."
Becky and Cody joke about being ultimate "wife guy" and "husband girl," mutual respect as the bedrock of both their partnerships.

6. Dinner Parties & Old-Fashioned Socializing

Becky champions reviving the dinner party, describing her ideal soirée—cocktail hour, moved locations, a "sing-song" of Irish tradition where guests perform songs or jokes. (32:57–34:07)
Cody attempts to revive classic dinner hosting as well: serving a perfect steak for Seth in Atlanta—“He has that energy.” (35:16)

7. Enemies, Locker Room Politics & Personal Growth

Cody reflects on gaining "enemies" as success increases, noting that the universally liked types in locker rooms are often "the shadiest people on the planet." (35:56)
Both agree mutual respect thus far has shielded them from gossip and drama, with Becky noting “everybody loves you and Colby.”

8. Bus Fires and WrestleMania Chaos

Hilarious/harrowing stories of their tour buses catching fire—the scramble to safety, beloved drivers leaping into action, and the surreal aftermath.
- Memorable moment (40:34–45:51):
  Both share their respective WrestleMania bus explosion tales:
  
  Cody: "I grabbed my picture of my family, I grabbed my boots...I could have got a few more things."
  Becky: "...My fire drill is just 'get out, there's a fire.'...We're at this come and go (K-U-M and go) convenience store at 3AM, barefoot!"

9. Building the "Dream Team"

Becky crafts her fantasy "War Games" squad: Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Bianca Belair—everyone she's known, respected, and trusted since 2006, joking about adding her ma but "she's too sweet." (46:28–47:31)

10. Hollywood, Star Trek & Intellect in Pro Wrestling

Candid talk about acting, working with Alex Kurtzman, Paul Giamatti, and Holly Hunter on the Star Trek franchise.
Both discuss wrestling’s link to intellect, with Becky noting:
- (49:53) "I do think the best wrestlers always have a high intellect... [even if] there's this notion of wrestlers being dumb."
Cody shares his evolving Trekkie fandom and the parallel between kayfabe and protecting Trek’s mystique.

11. Modern Social Media: Mystique vs. Access

In-depth chat about navigating public and private personas in the social era; Cody accepts mystique is hard to recapture, Becky admits to being off the internet for her happiness.
- Quote (63:04):
  
  Becky: “I am 80% happier not knowing everything...I don’t lose myself in the noise.”

12. Role Dynamics: Heel vs. Babyface

Becky and Cody dissect why she feels more creatively satisfied and impactful as a heel:

Becky: "I'm better at making people look good...when you are a babyface, you have to be selfish. You have to be liked...when you're a heel, you get that freedom...let me help you." (67:05–68:50)
Cody, contrastingly, loves being a good guy: “I just don’t have any interest in being a bad guy. None.” (68:53)

13. Becky’s Book & Writing Process

Becky’s favorite quote from her own book:

“Trying too hard is just a confession that you don’t trust yourself to be good enough.” (70:13)
Cody expresses desire to write a book but laments not being able to tell some unfiltered stories yet.

14. Backstage Lore & Mentors

Stories about advice from Joey Mercury ("Don’t ever let anybody convince you you’re not the biggest star in the ring.” 81:08), Dusty Rhodes, and others who helped shape their confidence and trajectory.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

[11:32] Becky on Mom Guilt vs. Career:
"When you’re done working, when you make enough money, then can I have my little brother?...But the other part of that is, no, I love working."
[31:55] On Family:
"The fact that I have this family is...it’s unbelievable. It's mind blowing to me because that’s it. That’s life, that's living."
[40:34] Cody on WrestleMania Bus Fire:
"I grabbed my picture of my family, I grabbed my boots...I could have got a few more things."
[41:09] Becky on Her Bus Fire:
"So I wrapped her in a blanket, and I run in...We’re at this come and go...running in barefoot."
[49:53] Becky on Wrestler Intellect:
"I do think the best wrestlers are always so intelligent...There has to be a high intellect to be great at this business."
[67:39] Becky on Role Dynamics:
"When you’re a babyface, you have to be selfish...Your job is to be liked...when you're a heel, you get that freedom."
[70:13] From Becky's Book:
“Trying too hard is just a confession that you don’t trust yourself to be good enough.”
[81:08] Advice from Joey Mercury:
"Don’t ever let anybody convince you you’re not the biggest star in the ring.”

Highlighted Segments & Timestamps

[03:11] – Director’s cut podcast banter
[05:25] – The joy and loss of real conversations (airplane/bar stories)
[11:32] – Work/family balance & ambitions
[26:39] – WWE driver of the year shenanigans
[31:55] – Becky’s loving tribute to Seth Rollins and family life
[34:00] – Irish dinner party “sing-song” tradition
[40:34, 44:07] – Back-to-back bus fire survival stories
[46:21] – Construction of Becky’s War Games “dream team”
[49:53] – Debate on wrestlers and intelligence
[55:16] – Deciding whether mystique matters in the digital age
[67:05–68:50] – The creative freedom of being a heel
[70:13] – Book writing process and favorite quote
[81:08] – Legacy, imposter syndrome, and best backstage advice

Tone & Atmosphere

Light-hearted, full of warmth, camaraderie, and genuine affection.
Playful ribbing, honest confessions, and industry wisdom blend to create an episode that feels like eavesdropping on two top stars in their natural, unguarded element.
Frequent laughter transitions into meaningful reflection, making the stories accessible to both hardcore fans and casual listeners.

For the Listener

You’ll leave this episode feeling closer to both Becky Lynch and Cody Rhodes—their vulnerabilities, humor, ambition, and deep connection to wrestling and each other.
The episode is a masterclass in what makes modern wrestling great: self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to cherish the moment while building for the next.
Whether you love the road stories, family insights, industry secrets, or just want to feel “in the room” for some world-class banter, this is an essential listen.