Podcast Summary: What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Episode: Damian Priest
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host: Cody Rhodes
Guest: Damian Priest

Overview

In this lively, unfiltered bus-side chat, host Cody Rhodes welcomes WWE Superstar, former World Heavyweight Champion, and all-around "go-getter" Damian Priest. The conversation journeys through wild tales from the wrestling road, lessons in perseverance, inside stories about locker room camaraderie, inspiring friendships, and pivotal career moments. Damian opens up about personal and professional turning points, unlikely influences, and the unbreakable spirit that has taken him from living out of his car to world champion. The two share a warm, humorous rapport, brimming with memorable anecdotes, candid advice, and reverent nods to wrestling greats, all delivered in their signature energetic style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Infamous Rocking Chair Spot"—Wrestling Risk & Resilience

• Ring of Honor Memory: Cody and Damian reminisce about their wild ROH "Bound by Honor" match, featuring a failed attempt to replicate Haku’s iconic no-sell chair spot. Instead of a wooden folding chair, they ended up with a massive Cracker Barrel rocking chair, which refused to break even after "three" brutal hits.
  • "No one should ever be hit with a rocking chair." – Cody [03:00]
  • Damian describes the pain and the backstage reactions, emphasizing their commitment to going "full speed ahead" (FSA) with risky ideas for the sake of the show.

2. On the Ascent: Career Turning Points

• Early Days and Setbacks: Priest shares about his humble beginnings, including being homeless, getting gear stolen, and struggling to afford basics when first starting out.
  • "I had to retire from wrestling because I couldn’t afford new gear..." – Damian [09:48]
• Getting Serious: The story pivots to his time managing a club in Atlantic City, ballooning to 400 lbs, and the pivotal moment when offered a promotion contingent on quitting wrestling.
  • "Without hesitation, I said, yeah, you have my two weeks’ notice... That same day, stopped eating junk food, joined the gym, and never looked back." – Damian [37:00]
• Mental Health and Support: Priest opens up about near rock-bottom moments, highlighting the value of tough but timely interventions from loved ones and even employers, and turning negativity into motivation.

3. Locker Room Brotherhood & Reputation

• Outlaw Spirit: Cody spotlights Damian’s "pirate"/"outlaw" persona—always keeping spirits high among the WWE family (in contrast to Cody’s self-professed more "boring" tendencies).
• Praise from Peers:
  • "You’re beloved by your peers... It’s a hard skill..." – Cody [11:41]
  • Priest credits his consistent positive attitude and desire for everyone to have a good time as key to his locker room standing.

4. The Rhea Ripley Friendship—Courage & Inspiration

• Damian narrates how he and Rhea became best friends after an NXT Christmas party ("dry party," unbeknownst to him).
  • "She just gravitated toward me... always felt comfortable around me..." – Damian [14:07]
• He describes Rhea’s sacrifices, moving across the world from Australia, and why her journey inspires him to work harder and dream bigger.
  • "I don’t know if I would have done what she did... she inspired me..." – Damian [18:41]
  • "She’s never changed."

5. The Art of Teamwork & Leadership in WWE

• Cody reflects on the culture shift within WWE compared to his first run, seeing it now as more collaborative and family-like, notably within The Judgment Day stable.
  • "WWE, now more than ever, is a team. I never felt that in any wrestling company..." – Cody [24:44]
• Discusses the importance of treating all colleagues with respect, regardless of status or spot on the card.

6. Legacies, Heroes, and Homages

• Scott Hall/Razor Ramon as Idol: Priest shares in detail the influence of Razor Ramon—both as a Latino representation (even before discovering Ramon wasn’t actually Latino) and as the epitome of cool.
  • His respectful approach to adopting Hall/Nash signature bits, including permission to do the "Razor's Edge," the "surfer walk," and the "drip" on his gear.
  • "Bruh, anything that reminds people of us and makes us look good, we're going to be down for." – Scott Hall (relayed by Priest) [61:03]
• Learning to Lose: Doing the Honors: Conversation about how Hall, Nash, and The Kliq knew how to both protect themselves and "do the job"—inspiring Priest’s own approach to business.
• Fun Kliq & Terry Taylor Story: Terry Taylor’s tale of being "set up" by Scott Hall in WCW for laughs becomes a lesson in backstage politics and respect. [64:00]

7. Wrestling Life: Travel Tales, Flight Fears, and Rituals

• Fear of Flying: Damian recounts his journey to becoming more comfortable with flying (starting with advice from Adam Cole for Japan), the necessity of distractions, and a humorous incident involving limes spilled on Cody during a rocky private jet flight.
  • "As long as I'm distracted and...take it easy, I'm good." – Damian [49:14]
• In-Flight Superhero Costumes: Priest is renowned for upping the morale on charter flights, emerging dressed as Aquaman or Batman—sometimes to the confusion or irritation of fellow Superstars like Jimmy Uso.

8. "Snack Basket" & Wrestler Hospitality

• Damian teases Cody for his notorious practice of tempting guests at his home with "snack baskets" and pizzas while abstaining himself, possibly to "fatten up" the competition.
  • "I get a satisfaction off of watching people eat food that I can't eat" – Cody [28:21]

9. Wrestler Camaraderie and Mutual Support

• Several shout-outs to mutual friends (QT Marshall, Matt, Brandi), and stories that highlight genuine support among wrestlers, including Priest caring for Cody through brutal food poisoning during their cage match tour.
  • "You took care of me... I couldn't have asked for a more professional dance partner" – Cody [68:32]

10. Favorite Jerseys & Wrestling Gear (Fanatics Segment)

• Priest lists his "Mount Rushmore" of sports jerseys/gear:
  1. Yankees – Aaron Judge
  2. Austin 3:16 T-shirt
  3. NWO original shirt
  4. Yankees – Derek Jeter [41:00]

11. Dream Teams & End-of-the-World Squads

• Cody asks for Priest’s "dream team" for a WarGames or zombie apocalypse:
  • Rhea Ripley, Cody Rhodes, Sheamus, and Randy Orton.
  • "I’m ready...bows and arrows, ammo...for either zombies or aliens." – Damian [73:16]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "No one should ever be hit with a rocking chair…" – Cody [03:00]
• "Without hesitation, I said, yeah, you have my two weeks’ notice… Stopped eating junk food, joined the gym, and never looked back." – Damian [37:00]
• "You’re beloved by your peers…" – Cody [11:41]
• "She [Rhea Ripley] inspired me to…try to do anything. If she did all that, everything else seems so minuscule." – Damian [18:41]
• "WWE now more than ever is a team. I never felt that in any wrestling company..." – Cody [24:44]
• "Bruh, anything that reminds people of us and makes us look good, we're going to be down for." – Scott Hall (per Damian) [61:03]
• "Doing the honors versus doing the job… There’s a huge difference. If you’re ever going to do it, that's how you do it." – Cody [62:56]
• "I was really shyish talking to him [Scott Hall]...and I asked him if I could do a few things that he does…" – Damian [59:39]
• "I get a satisfaction off of watching people eat food that I can't eat..." – Cody [28:21]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:13] – The infamous Cracker Barrel rocking chair match story (ROH)
• [09:48] – Priest’s early struggles: losing gear, being homeless
• [13:22] – Becoming best friends with Rhea Ripley
• [18:41] – Rhea Ripley’s inspiration and sacrifices
• [24:44] – WWE’s shift to a team atmosphere
• [37:00] – Career turning point: Quitting club management for wrestling
• [41:00] – Mount Rushmore of jerseys & wrestling T-shirts
• [49:14] – Overcoming fear of flying; superhero costumes stories
• [61:03] – Getting permission from Scott Hall to do the "Razor’s Edge" and use the "drip"
• [68:32] – Priest caring for Cody during illness on the road
• [73:16] – Zombie apocalypse/WarGames "dream team" picks

Closing Tone

The episode blends candid, rough-and-tumble road stories with sharp insight and self-deprecating humor. Cody and Damian’s camaraderie and mutual respect radiate through the conversation, making complex wrestling realities and personal reflections accessible and entertaining—while also offering plenty of Easter eggs for hardcore fans.

Summary By:
What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes
Damian Priest Episode – June 11, 2025