What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Guest: Bruce Prichard
Date: September 3, 2025
Location: WWE Warehouse

Episode Overview

In this rich, candid, and often hilarious episode, Cody Rhodes sits down inside the legendary WWE Warehouse with Bruce Prichard—the Executive Vice President and Executive Director of Creative at WWE, a wrestling "super genius," and one of the minds behind the biggest creative moments in wrestling history. The conversation covers everything from wrestling’s greatest hits and spectacular flops, to personal stories of mentorship, family legacies, and how to be "the man" in sports entertainment in 2025. Peppered with behind-the-scenes tales, impersonations, and genuine emotion, this is an essential listen for any fan of the business.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The WWE Warehouse: Surrounded by Wrestling History

Cody introduces Bruce in the fabled WWE Warehouse (00:57), calling attention to the priceless artifacts, and to Bruce's intimate knowledge of almost every significant WWE creation.
Bruce reflects on how each piece evokes memories of storylines and moments, both good and bad:

“Every single time I walk through the warehouse, I look at a piece and go, oh, I remember that casket. I remember the first time that we did a vignette using that casket...” (02:38)

2. Creative Hits and Memorable Flops

Cody asks Bruce if booking so many angles blurs together; Bruce admits some do, but the big hits and spectacular flops stand out (03:39)
Favorite flop? The infamous Gobbledygooker—an attempt at a WWE mascot as a wrestling “San Diego Chicken” (05:23)

"Here we had this giant egg, and the egg hatched and out came the gobbledygooker...the audience just...they ran from the gobbledygooker." (06:36)
Cody muses on how anticipation (what’s in the egg!?) can doom a reveal when fans’ dreams outpace reality (07:10), illustrating the ever-present tension between creative vision and fan expectation.

3. Anticipation vs. Reality: Fan Expectations and Industry Rumors

Cody and Bruce recount how wrestling rumor mills and fan speculation can build impossible dreams (08:26)
Bruce recalls the acquisition of WCW and how audience fantasy (expecting stars like Hogan and Goldberg overnight) clashed with contractual realities (09:42)
The discussion turns personal, recalling Cody’s dramatic return meeting with Vince and Bruce, and how anticipation differed on both sides (10:55):

“Our sole purpose was to say, come home. The doors open…We were not leaving until we had…a handshake agreement as far as what the future was going to be with you.” (12:05)

4. Mentorship, The Rhodes Legacy, and Dream Fulfillment

Cody discusses his own journey, the influence of his father Dusty Rhodes, and how returning to WWE was both business and deeply personal (14:14, 18:18)
Bruce, a close collaborator with Dusty, encourages Cody to see that success must be earned:

“You made your own way. You said, you know what? I see what you see in me. I'm gonna leave and I'm gonna go see what I see for myself. And you realize what you saw for yourself, and in that made other people realize, well, you know what? Maybe we need to look through another lens...” (19:43)

5. Learning from Wrestling’s Past: Lessons from Paul Boesch

Bruce recounts his start in wrestling as a 10-year-old selling posters for legendary Houston promoter Paul Boesch (31:07)
Key lesson: Always listen to your audience, especially those who actually buy tickets (34:08):

“You can either take the opinion of, well, I know better than them, or…have that open mind and say, wow, I didn’t look at it like that. And if you listen, the audience will always help you and tell you what's working and what isn't working.” (35:27)

6. How to Listen in the Modern Era (and The Dangers of Social Media)

Cody and Bruce explore the differences between listening to fans in the arena and on social media (42:54).
Bruce warns of interpreting the vocal minority as the entire fanbase:

“Social media is a dangerous place to go because you don’t really know what you’re listening to…it's a loud, passionate percentage…” (42:54)
The conversation covers Bruce’s approach to podcasting: blending storytelling and myth-busting with humor and impersonations (47:17-48:59).

7. Creative Character Work and the Joys of Storytelling

Bruce discusses his method of pitching creative—fully embodying characters and using impersonations (48:04):

“In pitching stories and pitching creative, you have got to become the character that you are pitching.” (48:13)
The pride and freedom in being able to “be everybody as long as you can find their voice” now that he’s behind the scenes (49:35).

8. Long-Term Storytelling and Iconic Angles

Reflection on story arcs taking months to pay off, like the Mega Powers Explode and subtle planting of storyline seeds (52:12–55:08):

“…what I miss is having the ability to tell a story over nine months to a year…where the audience goes, oh, my God, I remember that…make the footage, tell the story, and have the characters do things.” (52:49–54:59)
Cody shares how Bruce supported him after WrestleMania 39’s emotional conclusion (55:14–56:12).

9. Family, Hall of Fame Stories, and Legacy

Heartfelt stories about Dusty Rhodes, his mother Kathy, and family legacies (25:31–30:31, 58:13–62:19).
Bruce shares unknown stories about Dusty’s view of Cody’s Hall of Fame “coming out party” moment (60:15).

10. Advice for Today's Superstars: How to Be the Man (2025 Edition)

Cody asks Bruce what it takes to be “the man” in 2025 (70:04):

“Don't do stupid shit. And a lot of it does come back to listening…it comes down to actually doing it and doing it better than anybody else.” (70:34)
Be available, put in the work, and never stop:

“Every single day that you wake up, you should wake up to do something…to help your growth…once you do that, find out what else you can do and continue to do…Sounds like that simple. It’s not. It’s hard work.” (72:37)
Cody deeply appreciates the blunt “do it” lesson (73:14).

11. Personal Tales: Road Stories, Camaraderie, & Dusty Owes Bruce $5,000

Wonderful road stories about traveling with Dusty Rhodes, Sapphire, Macho Man, and Sherri Martel (74:50–79:14)
The saga of a $5,000 bet with Dusty over catching him in the ring, and playful banter about never being paid (80:20–83:21)

“You never thought I'd actually ever pay you $5,000 if you did, did you?” (82:53)

12. Mentorship, Legacy, & Passing It Forward

Bruce reflects on teaching the next generation, and the satisfaction in seeing protégés like Cody, Ed Koski, Booker T, and John Layfield flourish (94:09–100:14)

“I love the guys that want to learn…the guys that want to sit and learn…just will milk you for everything you’re worth. And I love that.” (97:25)
Cody expresses gratitude for Bruce’s guidance, hoping to be considered one of Bruce’s “kids” in the business (91:50–93:50)

13. Rapid-Fire Fun: Dream Teams & Watch Culture

Bruce picks his “American Dream Team” for a bar fight: Undertaker, John Layfield, Haku, and Booker T (89:02)
How watch collecting has become a thing in WWE thanks to Cody and Bruce (85:35–86:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Gobbledygooker Flop:
Bruce Prichard (06:36):
“And in that moment, you die a thousand deaths...they ran from the gobbledygooker.”
On Fan Anticipation and Surprises:
Cody Rhodes (07:10):
“The biggest flaw was the anticipation...this giant fiberglass egg...and then it is a turkey.”
On Bringing Cody Home:
Bruce Prichard (12:05):
“We feel that the best place for you is back home and come do it with us...We were not leaving until we had at least a handshake agreement as far as what the future was going to be and what the future was going to be with you.”
On Success and Earning It:
Bruce Prichard (19:43):
“And you realize what you saw for yourself and in that made other people realize, well, you know what? Maybe we need to look through another lens.”
On Listening to Fans and Paul Boesch’s Wisdom:
Bruce Prichard (35:27):
“And you can either take the opinion of, well, I know better than them, or you can have that open mind and say, wow, I didn’t look at it like that...if you listen, the audience will always help you and tell you what's working and what isn't working.”
On Creative Work and Becoming Characters:
Bruce Prichard (48:13):
“In pitching stories...you have got to become the character that you are pitching.”
On WrestleMania 39’s Aftermath:
Bruce Prichard (56:23):
“The time, I think, made it even better...for them to truly appreciate it all that much more and the. It was to say, hey, no, man, we're going to be right here. Next year, it's going to be different.”
On Dusty’s Legacy and Family:
Bruce Prichard (60:16):
“No, that would be your coming out party…That would be where we would see...You'll see Cody there and Vince and I sitting at Gorilla Me saying to Vince, holy shit. Took a while. We got there.”
On Being the Man:
Bruce Prichard (70:34):
“Don't do stupid shit. And a lot of it does come back to...listening and it's be available, but be available and do...comes down to actually doing it and doing it better than anybody else.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:57] – Introduction in the WWE Warehouse
[05:23] – Gobbledygooker story and the perils of flopped creative
[10:55] – The story of Cody’s WWE return meeting
[31:07] – Bruce’s childhood in Houston wrestling, lessons from Paul Boesch
[42:54] – Listening to fans in the social media age
[48:13] – On storytelling, impersonations, and pitching creative
[52:12] – Long-term storytelling: The Mega Powers, details, and payoffs
[56:12] – Cody’s post-WrestleMania 39 backstage moment
[60:15] – Dusty’s desire for Cody to have his “coming out party”
[70:04] – Advice: How to be the man in 2025
[80:20] – The $5,000 bet with Dusty
[89:02] – Bruce’s “Dream Team” for a bar fight
[94:09] – Mentorship, legacy, and paying it forward

Conclusion

Mixing humor, insider perspective, and heartfelt moments, this episode is both a love letter to wrestling and a masterclass in creative longevity. Both Cody and Bruce stress the importance of listening, doing the work, respecting history, and staying open to learning—no matter your level. Through family anecdotes, behind-the-scenes revelations, and legendary stories, Bruce Prichard remains not just a keeper of WWE’s past, but a guide for its future.

Final Words:
Bruce Prichard (102:25):

“And I love you. And that's not a gimmick. That's real life, man. I truly do. And. And I'm so proud of you and happy for you. And again, this is just the beginning.”

“This is just the beginning.” – Cody Rhodes (102:35)

What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Guest: Bruce Prichard
Date: September 3, 2025
Location: WWE Warehouse

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The WWE Warehouse: Surrounded by Wrestling History

Cody introduces Bruce in the fabled WWE Warehouse (00:57), calling attention to the priceless artifacts, and to Bruce's intimate knowledge of almost every significant WWE creation.
Bruce reflects on how each piece evokes memories of storylines and moments, both good and bad:

“Every single time I walk through the warehouse, I look at a piece and go, oh, I remember that casket. I remember the first time that we did a vignette using that casket...” (02:38)

2. Creative Hits and Memorable Flops

Cody asks Bruce if booking so many angles blurs together; Bruce admits some do, but the big hits and spectacular flops stand out (03:39)
Favorite flop? The infamous Gobbledygooker—an attempt at a WWE mascot as a wrestling “San Diego Chicken” (05:23)

"Here we had this giant egg, and the egg hatched and out came the gobbledygooker...the audience just...they ran from the gobbledygooker." (06:36)
Cody muses on how anticipation (what’s in the egg!?) can doom a reveal when fans’ dreams outpace reality (07:10), illustrating the ever-present tension between creative vision and fan expectation.

3. Anticipation vs. Reality: Fan Expectations and Industry Rumors

Cody and Bruce recount how wrestling rumor mills and fan speculation can build impossible dreams (08:26)
Bruce recalls the acquisition of WCW and how audience fantasy (expecting stars like Hogan and Goldberg overnight) clashed with contractual realities (09:42)
The discussion turns personal, recalling Cody’s dramatic return meeting with Vince and Bruce, and how anticipation differed on both sides (10:55):

“Our sole purpose was to say, come home. The doors open…We were not leaving until we had…a handshake agreement as far as what the future was going to be with you.” (12:05)

4. Mentorship, The Rhodes Legacy, and Dream Fulfillment

Cody discusses his own journey, the influence of his father Dusty Rhodes, and how returning to WWE was both business and deeply personal (14:14, 18:18)
Bruce, a close collaborator with Dusty, encourages Cody to see that success must be earned:

“You made your own way. You said, you know what? I see what you see in me. I'm gonna leave and I'm gonna go see what I see for myself. And you realize what you saw for yourself, and in that made other people realize, well, you know what? Maybe we need to look through another lens...” (19:43)

5. Learning from Wrestling’s Past: Lessons from Paul Boesch

Bruce recounts his start in wrestling as a 10-year-old selling posters for legendary Houston promoter Paul Boesch (31:07)
Key lesson: Always listen to your audience, especially those who actually buy tickets (34:08):

“You can either take the opinion of, well, I know better than them, or…have that open mind and say, wow, I didn’t look at it like that. And if you listen, the audience will always help you and tell you what's working and what isn't working.” (35:27)

6. How to Listen in the Modern Era (and The Dangers of Social Media)

Cody and Bruce explore the differences between listening to fans in the arena and on social media (42:54).
Bruce warns of interpreting the vocal minority as the entire fanbase:

“Social media is a dangerous place to go because you don’t really know what you’re listening to…it's a loud, passionate percentage…” (42:54)
The conversation covers Bruce’s approach to podcasting: blending storytelling and myth-busting with humor and impersonations (47:17-48:59).

7. Creative Character Work and the Joys of Storytelling

Bruce discusses his method of pitching creative—fully embodying characters and using impersonations (48:04):

“In pitching stories and pitching creative, you have got to become the character that you are pitching.” (48:13)
The pride and freedom in being able to “be everybody as long as you can find their voice” now that he’s behind the scenes (49:35).

8. Long-Term Storytelling and Iconic Angles

Reflection on story arcs taking months to pay off, like the Mega Powers Explode and subtle planting of storyline seeds (52:12–55:08):

“…what I miss is having the ability to tell a story over nine months to a year…where the audience goes, oh, my God, I remember that…make the footage, tell the story, and have the characters do things.” (52:49–54:59)
Cody shares how Bruce supported him after WrestleMania 39’s emotional conclusion (55:14–56:12).

9. Family, Hall of Fame Stories, and Legacy

Heartfelt stories about Dusty Rhodes, his mother Kathy, and family legacies (25:31–30:31, 58:13–62:19).
Bruce shares unknown stories about Dusty’s view of Cody’s Hall of Fame “coming out party” moment (60:15).

10. Advice for Today's Superstars: How to Be the Man (2025 Edition)

Cody asks Bruce what it takes to be “the man” in 2025 (70:04):

“Don't do stupid shit. And a lot of it does come back to listening…it comes down to actually doing it and doing it better than anybody else.” (70:34)
Be available, put in the work, and never stop:

“Every single day that you wake up, you should wake up to do something…to help your growth…once you do that, find out what else you can do and continue to do…Sounds like that simple. It’s not. It’s hard work.” (72:37)
Cody deeply appreciates the blunt “do it” lesson (73:14).

11. Personal Tales: Road Stories, Camaraderie, & Dusty Owes Bruce $5,000

Wonderful road stories about traveling with Dusty Rhodes, Sapphire, Macho Man, and Sherri Martel (74:50–79:14)
The saga of a $5,000 bet with Dusty over catching him in the ring, and playful banter about never being paid (80:20–83:21)

“You never thought I'd actually ever pay you $5,000 if you did, did you?” (82:53)

12. Mentorship, Legacy, & Passing It Forward

Bruce reflects on teaching the next generation, and the satisfaction in seeing protégés like Cody, Ed Koski, Booker T, and John Layfield flourish (94:09–100:14)

“I love the guys that want to learn…the guys that want to sit and learn…just will milk you for everything you’re worth. And I love that.” (97:25)
Cody expresses gratitude for Bruce’s guidance, hoping to be considered one of Bruce’s “kids” in the business (91:50–93:50)

13. Rapid-Fire Fun: Dream Teams & Watch Culture

Bruce picks his “American Dream Team” for a bar fight: Undertaker, John Layfield, Haku, and Booker T (89:02)
How watch collecting has become a thing in WWE thanks to Cody and Bruce (85:35–86:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Gobbledygooker Flop:
Bruce Prichard (06:36):
“And in that moment, you die a thousand deaths...they ran from the gobbledygooker.”
On Fan Anticipation and Surprises:
Cody Rhodes (07:10):
“The biggest flaw was the anticipation...this giant fiberglass egg...and then it is a turkey.”
On Bringing Cody Home:
Bruce Prichard (12:05):
“We feel that the best place for you is back home and come do it with us...We were not leaving until we had at least a handshake agreement as far as what the future was going to be and what the future was going to be with you.”
On Success and Earning It:
Bruce Prichard (19:43):
“And you realize what you saw for yourself and in that made other people realize, well, you know what? Maybe we need to look through another lens.”
On Listening to Fans and Paul Boesch’s Wisdom:
Bruce Prichard (35:27):
“And you can either take the opinion of, well, I know better than them, or you can have that open mind and say, wow, I didn’t look at it like that...if you listen, the audience will always help you and tell you what's working and what isn't working.”
On Creative Work and Becoming Characters:
Bruce Prichard (48:13):
“In pitching stories...you have got to become the character that you are pitching.”
On WrestleMania 39’s Aftermath:
Bruce Prichard (56:23):
“The time, I think, made it even better...for them to truly appreciate it all that much more and the. It was to say, hey, no, man, we're going to be right here. Next year, it's going to be different.”
On Dusty’s Legacy and Family:
Bruce Prichard (60:16):
“No, that would be your coming out party…That would be where we would see...You'll see Cody there and Vince and I sitting at Gorilla Me saying to Vince, holy shit. Took a while. We got there.”
On Being the Man:
Bruce Prichard (70:34):
“Don't do stupid shit. And a lot of it does come back to...listening and it's be available, but be available and do...comes down to actually doing it and doing it better than anybody else.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:57] – Introduction in the WWE Warehouse
[05:23] – Gobbledygooker story and the perils of flopped creative
[10:55] – The story of Cody’s WWE return meeting
[31:07] – Bruce’s childhood in Houston wrestling, lessons from Paul Boesch
[42:54] – Listening to fans in the social media age
[48:13] – On storytelling, impersonations, and pitching creative
[52:12] – Long-term storytelling: The Mega Powers, details, and payoffs
[56:12] – Cody’s post-WrestleMania 39 backstage moment
[60:15] – Dusty’s desire for Cody to have his “coming out party”
[70:04] – Advice: How to be the man in 2025
[80:20] – The $5,000 bet with Dusty
[89:02] – Bruce’s “Dream Team” for a bar fight
[94:09] – Mentorship, legacy, and paying it forward

Conclusion

Final Words:
Bruce Prichard (102:25):

“And I love you. And that's not a gimmick. That's real life, man. I truly do. And. And I'm so proud of you and happy for you. And again, this is just the beginning.”

“This is just the beginning.” – Cody Rhodes (102:35)

Bruce Prichard

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Summary

What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The WWE Warehouse: Surrounded by Wrestling History

2. Creative Hits and Memorable Flops

3. Anticipation vs. Reality: Fan Expectations and Industry Rumors

4. Mentorship, The Rhodes Legacy, and Dream Fulfillment

5. Learning from Wrestling’s Past: Lessons from Paul Boesch

6. How to Listen in the Modern Era (and The Dangers of Social Media)

7. Creative Character Work and the Joys of Storytelling

8. Long-Term Storytelling and Iconic Angles

9. Family, Hall of Fame Stories, and Legacy

10. Advice for Today's Superstars: How to Be the Man (2025 Edition)

11. Personal Tales: Road Stories, Camaraderie, & Dusty Owes Bruce $5,000

12. Mentorship, Legacy, & Passing It Forward

13. Rapid-Fire Fun: Dream Teams & Watch Culture

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion

Summary

What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The WWE Warehouse: Surrounded by Wrestling History

2. Creative Hits and Memorable Flops

3. Anticipation vs. Reality: Fan Expectations and Industry Rumors

4. Mentorship, The Rhodes Legacy, and Dream Fulfillment

5. Learning from Wrestling’s Past: Lessons from Paul Boesch

6. How to Listen in the Modern Era (and The Dangers of Social Media)

7. Creative Character Work and the Joys of Storytelling

8. Long-Term Storytelling and Iconic Angles

9. Family, Hall of Fame Stories, and Legacy

10. Advice for Today's Superstars: How to Be the Man (2025 Edition)

11. Personal Tales: Road Stories, Camaraderie, & Dusty Owes Bruce $5,000

12. Mentorship, Legacy, & Passing It Forward

13. Rapid-Fire Fun: Dream Teams & Watch Culture

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion