Damian Priest

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Damian Priest" on "What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes"

Podcast Information:

• Title: What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes
• Host/Author: WWE Podcasts
• Episode: Damian Priest
• Release Date: June 11, 2025
• Description: An engaging conversation between WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes and Damian Priest, delving into wrestling experiences, personal struggles, friendships, and inspirations beyond the ring.

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1. Introduction and Setting the Stage [00:00 - 01:00]

Cody Rhodes welcomes Damian Priest, the American Nightmare, aboard his tour bus for an unfiltered conversation. Cody expresses his admiration for Damian's drive and highlights Damian's status as a former World Heavyweight Champion and a potential future WWE Champion.

Notable Quote:

• Cody Rhodes [00:58]: "Listen, ladies and gentlemen, all the way from Puerto Rico, the one and only, the one and only Damian Priest. How you doing, boss?"

2. Discussing the "Bound by Honor" Match [01:00 - 07:10]

Cody reminisces about their match at Ring of Honor’s "Bound by Honor" event. He shares his aspiration to replicate Haku’s iconic chair slam but explains the challenges they faced with inadequate equipment, leading to multiple unsuccessful attempts.

Notable Quotes:

• Cody Rhodes [02:13]: "I so badly wanted to do this thing that I saw Haku do many years ago when a wooden chair was slammed over his head."
• Cody Rhodes [03:00]: "We decided full speed ahead. We go with it. And I hit you with this chair. And the effect isn't there because the chair doesn't break."

3. Early Career and Impact of Cody’s Arrival [07:10 - 12:00]

Damian discusses the significance of Cody joining Ring of Honor and how it legitimized the company, attracting other stars and elevating the overall vibe in the locker room. Cody reflects on the shift in atmosphere and his integration into the wrestling community.

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Priest [07:10]: "When you came in, you legitimize like, okay, stars, come here."
• Cody Rhodes [07:58]: "Everyone's been going through it, and I. And. And overpaid as well."

4. Personal Life and Friendship with Rhea Ripley [12:00 - 21:00]

The duo discusses Damian’s close friendship with Rhea Ripley, highlighting how they met at an NXT PC holiday party. They delve into Rhea's inspiring journey of moving across the world to achieve her dreams, despite personal sacrifices. Cody admires Rhea’s authenticity and resilience, emphasizing her role as a motivating figure for both wrestlers.

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Priest [14:04]: "She just thought I was hysterical and then just gravitated towards me as."
• Cody Rhodes [20:02]: "They’re such a wonderful couple... they moved everything they could to come here and create this brand for themselves."

5. Training at the Monster Factory and Building Friendships [21:00 - 35:00]

Damian shares his experiences at the Monster Factory, discussing his training under Larry Sharp and later under Jim Molino and Ed Atlas. He recounts forming a deep bond with Cody, facilitated by their shared commitment to the craft and sincerity in their interactions.

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Priest [30:27]: "We trained at the Monster Factory when Larry Sharp owned it."
• Cody Rhodes [31:44]: "I've bought a few boots. But Scott showed back up and it was a matter of $300."

6. Overcoming Personal Struggles and Turning Point [35:00 - 44:00]

Damian opens up about a challenging period in his life where he struggled with laziness and unhappiness, managing a strip club in Atlantic City. An ultimatum to quit wrestling pushed him to make significant lifestyle changes, leading to weight loss, renewed focus, and a resurgence in his wrestling career.

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Priest [35:31]: "I was managing a strip club in Atlantic City. It was Stilettos at the time."
• Cody Rhodes [37:53]: "Mediocrity loves company. And it's nice to have company. It is."
• Damian Priest [38:14]: "Without hesitation I said, yeah, you have my two weeks notice. I walked out of that office and it was like, what did I just do?"

7. Friendship and Inspirations from Wrestling Legends [44:00 - 55:00]

The conversation shifts to Damian's admiration for Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) and how important Hall's mentorship was in shaping his wrestling persona. Damian details his interactions with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, highlighting the lessons learned and the influence these legends had on his career and style.

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Priest [55:43]: "Razor Ramon, that was the initial introduction to me... the surfer walk, the cha cha cha thing."
• Cody Rhodes [58:12]: "One of the lost arts is you can do the job for somebody in pro wrestling or you can do the honors."

8. Personal Stories and Camaraderie on the Road [55:00 - 75:00]

Cody and Damian share humorous and heartfelt stories from their time on the road, including mishaps on flights and bonding moments during tours. They emphasize the importance of camaraderie, mutual respect, and the support system within the wrestling community.

Notable Quotes:

• Cody Rhodes [66:02]: "I was on the bus, nearly dead. Cage matches in the premium match of the night."
• Damian Priest [68:19]: "You kept me, man."

9. Fun Segments and Closing Remarks [75:00 - 75:57]

The episode concludes with Cody and Damian engaging in a playful segment involving Wheatley American Vodka, further showcasing their camaraderie and good-natured humor. They express gratitude for each other's presence and reflect on the memorable moments they've shared.

Notable Quotes:

• Cody Rhodes [71:37]: "Wheatley so good, so good I drink it. I drink it to take it easy."
• Damian Priest [75:36]: "Love that guy, and I appreciate his contributions."

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Key Insights and Themes:

1. Resilience and Overcoming Adversity: Damian Priest's journey from personal struggles to professional resurgence underscores the importance of resilience and determination in achieving one's dreams.

2. Impact of Mentorship and Friendship: The strong bond between Cody Rhodes and Damian Priest, along with Damian's admiration for wrestling legends like Scott Hall, highlights the significance of mentorship and supportive friendships in personal and professional growth.

3. Authenticity and Personal Growth: Both Cody and Damian emphasize staying true to oneself, the value of authenticity, and continuous personal development within the competitive world of professional wrestling.

4. Humor and Camaraderie: The light-hearted and humorous exchanges illustrate the camaraderie and mutual respect among WWE Superstars, contributing to a positive and supportive environment.

5. Inspiration Beyond Wrestling: Discussions about Rhea Ripley and personal turning points reveal inspirations that extend beyond the wrestling ring, showcasing the multifaceted lives of the athletes.

---

Conclusion:

The episode offers a deep and engaging exploration of Damian Priest's wrestling career, personal challenges, and meaningful relationships within the WWE community. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of Damian's journey and the bonds that shape his path in professional wrestling.

Transcript

[Damian Priest]

Foreign.

[Cody Rhodes]

It's the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. We are on my home away from home, my tour bus. And we are on my favorite show. What do you want to talk about my guest today? Special guest, Big guest. Physically a big guest. The big guy. Right. A big guest and someone who I have a lot of questions to ask that are related to a mutual friend. I don't know if I'll get to these questions, but I have a lot of questions that don't even pertain to wrestling. But we're going to get to the wrestling questions too. But someone who's incredibly special, former World Heavyweight Champion. I'm sure he'll be World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Champion. I'm sure he'll do all these things because he's a go getter. He's a wonderful human being. In addition to that, there's amazing documentary about him out there. Listen, ladies and gentlemen, all the way from Puerto Rico, the one and only, the one and only Damian Priest. How you doing, boss?

[Damian Priest]

I'm good, man.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. There's no response.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

You have to like.

[Damian Priest]

Well, you got a crew. I figured everybody would pop up. Yeah. They don't do it.

[Cody Rhodes]

They don't. It's a.

[Damian Priest]

Not a thing.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. Kyle claps every now and then, right? Yeah, Every now and then. He's gotta really move. Kyle. I have the American mules, right. Why does Moscow get the mule? See, I know the bit. I have the American mule provided by our good friends at Wheatley American Vodka. I do sincerely love this stuff, so thank you so much. I see you got something special there.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, this is Wheatley Vodka's Archer's mark.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, I love it.

[Damian Priest]

Got some Wheatley Vodka in it, some cranberry lime juice, simple syrup.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

A dash of Tabasco.

[Cody Rhodes]

No kidding.

[Damian Priest]

You know, a little kick.

[Cody Rhodes]

A little. A little kick.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. Hey, this is pretty good. I've been. I've been trying. I'm dying to start the show so.

[Cody Rhodes]

I can see the Archer's mark. Bullseye.

[Damian Priest]

Good.

[Cody Rhodes]

Love that little kick. Oh, my gosh. All right, again, I said I'm gonna ask some unique questions because we have been involved in some unique scenarios.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

That people might not be aware of. And one of them gonna come right out with it and just ask your feelings on it. We wrestled previously at Ring of Honor. Bound by Honor, I think was the show.

[Damian Priest]

Spot on.

[Cody Rhodes]

And I so badly wanted to do this thing that I saw Haku do many years ago when a wooden chair was slammed over his head. And he was so tough. He was so big. He was Such a dominating a heater that he just didn't flinch. He just no sold it and carried on. I wanted to replicate something like that when we wrestled. Unfortunately, the we didn't have that type of wooden chair.

[Damian Priest]

No, not even close.

[Cody Rhodes]

We had what I believe was a Cracker Barrel rocking chair.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

And heavy. Heavy.

[Damian Priest]

Ridiculously large.

[Cody Rhodes]

Ridiculously large. And my motto, as you can ask, the USO's know this very well. My brother knows this is. Well, you've heard of several of my mottos. RTD is one. I won't go into that, but fsa, full speed ahead. Often in wrestling dumb ideas come up and there'll be someone who's smart and says like, yeah, you need to do that. And that's when I go, yeah, we do. Just almost out of principle. Out of, yeah, we should do that idea. So we've got a rocking chair from Cracker Barrel. No one should ever be hit with a rocking chair. Not many men have the strength to pick one up even over their head. To deliver what we were trying to do with a rocking chair, ultimately we decide full speed ahead. We go with it. And I hit you with this chair. And the effect isn't there because the chair doesn't break. And I don't recall how many times I hit you with a chair.

[Damian Priest]

Three.

[Cody Rhodes]

Three.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. It sucked.

[Cody Rhodes]

What was going through your mind in the small Florida town we were in, in front of, I want to say a nice, very vocal 200 something people. What was going through?

[Damian Priest]

I have so much. But I got to start at the beginning with this one. First of all, I love that when we got announced that we were going to work each other, you said, I'd like to do the Ray trailer spot.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, around the corner type deal.

[Damian Priest]

I don't to this day I have no idea what you were talking about. So I looked it up and then I ended up finding out finding that wooden chair clip in, in that rabbit.

[Cody Rhodes]

Hole that I went through Serendipity.

[Damian Priest]

But I had no idea. To this day, I have no idea what you meant. But I was like, immediately, of course, you know, it's a big matchup for me. And I was like, yeah, absolutely, I have no idea. Then you tell me about the chair and I see the clip and it's a small folding wooden chair. Yeah. And they show up with this ginormous rocking chair.

[Cody Rhodes]

Bird. Yeah, guy's name was Bird. Who found the chair.

[Damian Priest]

And the best part is, remember that they, they were like, well, this is going to be hard to break, so maybe we'll cut It a little bit to make it easier. Did not work. I think they cut the wrong side, so it kind of reinforced it, if anything, non effective hurt like crazy. And I just turned around. I was like, because you hit me. It didn't break. You hit me again. It didn't break. And then you hit me again as I was about to turn and then I just turned around like enough because it was hurting so much.

[Cody Rhodes]

I remember you looking at me and it was, it was the nicest way.

[Damian Priest]

Enough.

[Cody Rhodes]

It didn't work. I remember. So that night, it's bound by honor, you and I wrestling. But also, you were on your way. You'd already signed with nxt, right?

[Damian Priest]

No, I don't think so.

[Cody Rhodes]

I think you had.

[Damian Priest]

Did I?

[Cody Rhodes]

You were lean and mean.

[Damian Priest]

No, because I wasn't United States Champion then.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay, but you were on.

[Damian Priest]

You were close or not United States, the TV champ.

[Cody Rhodes]

Because I remember me and the Bucks were thinking, this dude is in great shape again. And getting there. And I, I had thought you, it wasn't going to be long. So I was really glad because remember, at the time I didn't think I'd ever be coming back to wwe. And for some people there, their only goal in the world was to be at wwe and it wasn't. I knew we wouldn't have you for long.

[Damian Priest]

So to me, because I already have been turned down by WWE a few times at this point, so I believe when we had this match, I had just signed my first contract with Ring of Honor. That actually was like, oh, I could buy groceries now regularly, which I was pretty excited about. And it was for one year. And I think you were like a part of, that was like, okay, this is part of your first big matchup in your new contract. And that, I think that's what that was. Ah, so then that's why it seemed more important to me at the time because it was like, oh, this is like real big deal stuff.

[Cody Rhodes]

I took my, I took my time there very seriously in terms of, let's sell some tickets.

[Damian Priest]

You, I mean, you, I mean, the company became number two only because you joined, like, was. Granted, it was, it was on a upward, you know, swing. But when you came in, you legitimize like, okay, stars, come here. You know, it was pretty cool. I remember the vibe in the locker room was like, oh, man, we're, we're going to be a big deal now.

[Cody Rhodes]

Vibe quickly shifted, big time shifted.

[Damian Priest]

But it was, it was, it was a fun time.

[Cody Rhodes]

I always felt it was funny that I didn't really have a crew. But I was in a crew. Cause I think you and I even talked about it at the time. I'd already come from wwe. I'd had Randy Orton as a mentor and John Cena even. And I really just wanted to be around everybody. But I jumped right in and was on the, you know, the old. The Bullet train. And that was. That was real heat in the locker room. And I thought, oh, man, I missed out. I actually think this is the day that I missed out on making some friends because I was already in that group and I was. New Japan was even worse, buddy. They'd be working 28 days, and then I'd show up at the last day just for the streaming event, fully refreshed, happy.

[Damian Priest]

Everybody's been going through.

[Cody Rhodes]

Everyone's been going through it, and I. And. And overpaid as well. Like, oh, man. So I apologize.

[Damian Priest]

Well, there's nothing to apologize. You'll say no. It's not your fault that someone wants to give you something. Well, I think some people may have taken it one a certain way, but I think most of us, when you came in and they put you with the Bullet Club, it was like, well, you're gonna say no? Yeah, I think if anybody was upset, it was mainly because they wanted to be in that spot.

[Cody Rhodes]

Anyway, you know what I've come to realize about the Bullet Club, and I talk with aj. I talk with Finn about this all the time. Bullet Club was so cool when Finn Balor was doing it. So cool when AJ Styles was doing it. But they weren't like printing money. They weren't. It wasn't the money making enterprise I joined, and it did start making money. However, it was the least cool thing ever. And I realized I was like the sold out, like the commercial Bullet. And that's why I leaned into it a little at the end. So when I look at the leaders of the Bullet Club, I don't mind when people get into these heated arguments over how awful I was for it because, well, we were doing well. We were places that were sometimes empty and, you know, but yeah, no, I know. I was a pretty poor.

[Damian Priest]

But you were there for your purpose. You knew what it was, dude, I didn't know. Well, I'm glad you didn't know. But the company did, and it raised the stock of both New Japan and Ring of Honor, so it worked.

[Cody Rhodes]

I'm gonna ask you something I've not asked anybody on this pod. I don't think I've asked anyone. What do you have on your wrist? What do you got there.

[Damian Priest]

You're the watch guy. You could tell me. Oh, wow.

[Cody Rhodes]

It's beautiful. So this is. Was this the first Rollie you got? Yeah, that's a world Heavyweight champion role.

[Damian Priest]

This is actually exactly when I bought it, right after WrestleMania and I won the world title.

[Cody Rhodes]

Look at the. Look at us all now when we're all broke, we're going to look back and say, what were we doing?

[Damian Priest]

You know, I was just talking about it earlier, how my gear got stolen out of my car when I lived in Jersey in the Indies. It's not funny. No. And I had to retire from wrestling because I couldn't afford new gear until I got a job that I could afford to buy another pair of gear, like, a year later.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay.

[Damian Priest]

And then. And afforded an apartment. And then I started wrestling again.

[Cody Rhodes]

I'm gonna ask you a really old school question. Why didn't you have your gear on you? Why. Why was you in your car?

[Damian Priest]

Because I was homeless.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, man.

[Damian Priest]

Wow.

[Cody Rhodes]

That's a no. No. Now I feel terrible.

[Damian Priest]

No. Hey, look, you were living out of.

[Cody Rhodes]

The car at the time.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, basically. Or. And then just crashing. Crashing at, like, random people's places or go to a party and just sleep there, you know? But that was. Yeah, that was the life for a few years.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

You know, on and off.

[Cody Rhodes]

You're kind of. If you don't mind, and if you do, please tell me. I understand. You have a reputation. You are beloved, by the way, as I'm sure you know, the locker room, the men, the women, the freaking hair and makeup department. It's nauseating. They. When he walks by, it's all jaws dropped. It's amazing. Like, I'm very impressed. You're beloved by your peers. It's a hard skill. I know. I'm not. I like to lean into it almost. You, beloved by your peers. You have a reputation as well, though, as being one of the few kind of pirates, the few kind of outlaws left out there. You will. You will throw a party from Cowboy, if you will, Cowboy, if you will. You have that reputation when you're not. Right. When you're me, who's sitting on this bus when I'm not doing something fun like this, who's watching YouTube clips on action figure reveals or something. That's not all that sexy. I like to think, what is Damian Priest doing tonight? Right? And is it as this is? This is all my question is, is it as exciting as we all think?

[Damian Priest]

It's pretty wild.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, man. Oh, man.

[Damian Priest]

Look, some things don't change like I've never, maybe I gotta watch and stuff like that. That's the difference now.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

But the way I live, the way I act, the way I treat people, I keep, I've never changed. I just don't know how to be different.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And I've always liked having a good time and everybody around me having a good time. It's just the best part of life is just being happy and smiling and just, just loving life. Like, that's always been my favorite part of living, so I love sharing that too. And now that I'm in a better position, it's, you know, and, you know, we, we work with people that we literally trust each other with our lives. Right?

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. Cheers.

[Damian Priest]

So if I can't go far and beyond with them, it's just wild. Like, what am I doing here just because of the way I am? And I'm not saying everybody needs to be the way I am. I, that's, that'd be ridiculous if everybody was the same way. So I love that everybody's different, but I wouldn't say you're so disliked as much as you think you are. I think, I think we all have people that, that like us. And don't a lot of people baby face us for whatever reason, you know, or, you know, just. It is what it is. But no, you have a lot more respect than you think you do.

[Cody Rhodes]

I, I, I'll take it. Thank you. Your best friend in the game or what? A lot of us kind of. You've announced it, we've seen it. I don't know how real or auth. I assume very authentic because I've worked with you both. Rhea Ripley, how does something like that come about? It seems like two very different worlds are maybe very similar. Who knows?

[Damian Priest]

No. So we met at a holiday. Christmas. Well, I haven't met her before, but we became friends at a NXT PC holiday party. Yeah, Dry party. But I didn't get the memo.

[Cody Rhodes]

I love how you said dry party when you're so. Every party is dry at a certain point in your life. But okay, dry party. Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

So, you know, it's at the PC, no alcohol, and I'm like, what type of party is this? Like, we're just gonna have some hors d' oeuvres, talk about wrestling. We could have just did this on, you know, on NXT day. But I didn't get the memo. So I was having a good time.

[Cody Rhodes]

You showed up.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, I showed up.

[Cody Rhodes]

You showed up.

[Damian Priest]

And per ria's her memory of what happened then. I Said I came up to her and her group or whoever she was with, and I just started talking and making everybody laugh. And then me and her just started, like, talking about music and stuff. And she said I was putting everybody over and. Yeah, then we just be stayed friends. She just thought I was hysterical and then just gravitated towards me as. Because she'd always feel comfortable around me. And we just became best friends immediately. And then that just transferred over to the main roster. Judgment Day and Terror Twins and all of it.

[Cody Rhodes]

Are you inspired by her?

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, it's just. It's wild to see somebody because we. All this business, we talk about sacrifice. Yeah, we sacrifice time away from our loved ones and this and that. But you're talking about somebody who moved to the other side of the world.

[Cody Rhodes]

They don't even call it Burger King over there. It's Hungry Jacks. That's how. That's crazy work over there. It is over there. Excuse my language.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. I mean, you walk around, there's kangaroos in the street.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. Fighting each other. Fighting for Hungry Jacks.

[Damian Priest]

So.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, man. I like Australia. I know more about it than Hungry Jacks, I promise. Last year, I was talking to our.

[Damian Priest]

Our.

[Cody Rhodes]

Our leader, it was Triple H, about coming to Perth, and this is going into WrestleMania 40. So we come out there, I'm with Seth, we're talking about our tag match with Rock and Roman, WrestleMania 40. And they told me they had. They said, you have. You have pyro, which I like hearing. You know, I like pyro.

[Damian Priest]

It's shocker.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, shocker.

[Damian Priest]

You pyro? No.

[Cody Rhodes]

So he said, yeah, pyro. He said, take a little extra when you get on the buckle. I was like, oh, okay. They're probably doing a wraparound or something. Take a little extra when I get up there. They had barge pyro. I never experienced that before, so.

[Damian Priest]

What's that?

[Cody Rhodes]

So out in the water, they had barges.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

They were shooting like pyro for basically a fireworks show. And I have never seen. And I was so proud that I got to be part of it, and I don't want it to go away. And please, Hunter, don't take it away. I have never seen such a waste of money in my entire life. It kept going, and I remember Seth was looking like, what the what? But we. That we weren't doing anything. It wasn't a match. It was just a talk segment. So I felt the idea was, let's, you know, give them that full. That full entrance experience. But it was amazing as I Have fond memories of Perth just for having to stand there in the ring knowing they're getting this great elimination chamber. They're getting this great ple. That evening, and I got to do this and have all the fireworks go off. Per Amazing. I did. Did you ever do Indies in Australia? No, I did a.

[Damian Priest]

That was my first time there.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, I did a series of indies in Australia. Those are good fans. Good fans. We need to get you another one of those.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. Do we have a bartender?

[Cody Rhodes]

Ever dreamed of making your own WWE entrance? Well, now's your chance at Fanatics Fest. You get to step into the spotlight, hit the ramp, walk the walk, and recreate your favorite WWE Superstar entrance. Full theme music, official WWE set and all. You'll feel the crowd, the energy, the hype, Just like the real thing. And that's just the start. Fanatics Fest is back in NYC this summer, and it's bigger, bolder, and packed with unforgettable WWE moments. We're talking epic meet and greets, photo ops and autograph sessions, and immersive WWE activations you've got to see to believe. Live podcast tapings and panel talks with WWE Legends and rising stars. A massive collectible zone with the biggest names in the hobby, plus surprise appearances from athletes and celebs across sports and entertainment. WWE Superstars already confirmed include me, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, the Undertaker, Jay, uso, Chelsea Green, Trish Stratus, Liv Morgan, Damien Priest, Charlotte Flair, and trust me, there's more, more on the way. So if you're a WWE fan, this is the place to be. Fanatics Fest hits the Javits center in NYC from Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22. Grab your tickets now at Fanatics Fest.com and follow along on Social for all the latest updates and surprises. We're gonna get you a second drink.

[Damian Priest]

I asked for pyro. I got the smoke, though.

[Cody Rhodes]

You also got the boom.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, that boom is legit. I got two of them now.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Pretty excited about, bro.

[Cody Rhodes]

That's. That's two more booms than most people are getting these days, man.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, I can't complain. No, but. But talking about Rhea and her inspiring. So that idea, like, her moving across the world and dealing with that internal, like, missing her family and. Yeah, like, nobody can identify with that. Like, we. I can't even compare to that. Like, no matter how hard I work and how much I push my family aside, they're still here. So to me, like, what she did and what, to achieve her dream. Yeah, like, that's. Man, that's why she's in the position she's in because who's willing to do so? I don't know if I would have, but now she inspired me to, like, you know what? No matter what I think I can or cannot do, I'm gonna try to do it anyway, because if she did all that, everything else seems so minuscule. So it's so simple compared to what she had to do to change. And then on top of that, just her willingness to just go out there and just be. Not the norm. Yeah. Rhea Ripley does not look like every other or every. Oh. When you think of a female superstar wrestler, that's not what you picture.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

It's somebody with tattoos and their vibe and just.

[Cody Rhodes]

I forget she's covered in tats.

[Damian Priest]

I forget way more than I have. Yeah, it's. And she's crazy because, like, I'm at a point now that I still get tattoos with her and everything, and I. Every time I get a tattoo, I'm like, why did I do this? Decide to do this again.

[Cody Rhodes]

Right.

[Damian Priest]

I'm not. I'm not in it for the pain anymore. I'm way past the. It's not cool.

[Cody Rhodes]

I. I always had a bone to pick with because I. Her and Buddy, they're also.

[Damian Priest]

They're.

[Cody Rhodes]

They're such a wonderful couple, like you said, and they did. They moved everything they could to come here and. And create this. This brand for themselves, and they're just doing it. And she is. This is an unpopular thing to share, but I'll share it. If you look at a roster sheet in any company. Any company, you'd be surprised at the percentage that actually. And I'll use the term earn or draw for a company, you'd think it's a lot more. And then you look at. It's a smaller percentage now. It doesn't mean people won't. It doesn't mean people aren't getting there. It doesn't mean context makes it so that a few times they do. But there's a small percentage, and I don't know if the world knows, and I'm sure they're finding out in real time what she does. X's and O's wise. She's very, very inspiring. And she's also one that also makes me. I like to kind of compete with everybody who's doing good. I don't want to. I'm not a stabby in the back type. I want to. Let's go. Yeah, you're cruising. Cool. I want to. I want to be on your level. Let's Go. Every time she's on the screen is those moments of like, jeez, man, what a star.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

What a star. And I. I was so. Judgment Day versus me happened for so long. Every week, something. Judgment Day. And it was a thing. And I remember Mr. Heyman, Paul Heyman told me, said, stay in it. Stay in it. And it ended up culminating in our. In our situation when we. With War Games, the first War games I got to be part of, and JD Coming off, Randy returning.

[Damian Priest]

That was my first one, too.

[Cody Rhodes]

CM Punk showing up. I never need to do another one. I love the idea of a war game, but for me, hey, is this Dusty's invention? And I want to be part of it. I got to be part of one. Got to be my team.

[Damian Priest]

You got to win the match. Pin me.

[Cody Rhodes]

Is that what happened?

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. You didn't even need to pin. Oh, my God. First of all, now that you mentioned that. Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

I didn't know it was you.

[Damian Priest]

JD Took this crazy rko. That's it. We're done, guys. Let's go.

[Cody Rhodes]

No, there was more.

[Damian Priest]

No, just. You had to.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. Hogan must pose.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, man. For a second. It's funny because you said that was your first. I was. That was my first. Wait a minute. We weren't. We weren't together, and you beat me.

[Cody Rhodes]

I don't even. That's. That's how. Oh, well.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, but. All right, let's finish the Adria. So with all that and all that success and watching her and makes you want to work harder. But on top of that, she also has never changed. She's still the same girl that I met in nxt. The kind, just compassionate to everyone.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her own dream without stepping on others. I will forever admire that. And she's forever one of my favorite people because of that.

[Cody Rhodes]

Your. Your family, Your brother at the Nightmare Factory.

[Damian Priest]

Yep.

[Cody Rhodes]

Little bro.

[Damian Priest]

Yep.

[Cody Rhodes]

He can tell you this. I often ask, usually the first day of training, I ask, hey, who's your favorite wrestler? I do not care what the answer is. It's been everything we've heard some trying to get those points with really ridiculous answers and just the basics, you know? Rey Mysterio, Triple H, John Cena. The basics.

[Damian Priest]

Right. Right.

[Cody Rhodes]

I always tell everybody, I'm like, cool. Treat everybody in here like they're that person. Because one of the things that shocked me the most was during the undesirable phase, during the phase of just looking up at the lights every night, how people would treat you in the office, how they would treat you in the locker room. And this is not everybody. You remember the ones who treated you differently. And I always felt, if I ever get to a good place, I want to make sure that no one is ever. We are human beings. And I get. There's number one on the call sheet, and there's number 40 on the call. Shit. Sorry. Who's number one on the call sheet? That's where we're at, 40 on the call sheet. But never, never make it. To me, it was always about when we leave here. That doesn't matter. That rule is not in effect. New one. Thank you, sir.

[Damian Priest]

Parched over here.

[Cody Rhodes]

Thank you. Do you mind?

[Damian Priest]

Absolutely.

[Cody Rhodes]

I'm curious.

[Damian Priest]

Go for it. It's pretty light, actually.

[Cody Rhodes]

What a drink.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. What a legit Tabasco.

[Cody Rhodes]

Doesn't you feel it in your throat? That's it. A little kick.

[Damian Priest]

A kick. But it wasn't. It's not. It doesn't. The flavor doesn't ruin it. It's well done, actually. Pretty balanced.

[Cody Rhodes]

What a kick. Oh, man. What were we talking about the call sheet?

[Damian Priest]

I don't know. Next time, make two at a time.

[Cody Rhodes]

So. So they. The call sheet, that's a big thing to me in terms of how we. And wwe, you know this because you were. You had been here as an extra, you'd been here in nxt, you're now here, and you've been the World Heavyweight Champion.

[Damian Priest]

Crazy.

[Cody Rhodes]

It's a very different company now. Where you find that the more percentage here is on the side of the good, the good side of it all. There's less sharks. There's always this entertainment. There's always sharks in the water. But, you know, you find that I always tell people, wwe, now more than ever, is a team. And I never felt that in any wrestling company, even when I was with wwe, my first run, I never felt like, hey, we're a team. It always felt like when we were doing the Judgment Day stuff, this is a team.

[Damian Priest]

Yes.

[Cody Rhodes]

I just happen to be the guy who's on the other side of this every. Every evening. But you. You have a tendency to tell stories. I often get credited as having. You know, Cody, lies is what people like to coin them as. Don't love that. But I do like a good story, a good legend. I have heard you before explain to people that I have a snack basket at my house and that I order food with the intent on others eating it to fatten them up.

[Damian Priest]

Yes.

[Cody Rhodes]

So that's a real thing you tell people.

[Damian Priest]

It's a real thing that you do.

[Cody Rhodes]

I don't recall. I don't know. When did this happen?

[Damian Priest]

And I found out afterward that it wasn't that day that I found out that you did it to me. It was after the fact that it was like, oh, he does this all the time. And I was like, oh, that you invite people over to my home. Yes.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay.

[Damian Priest]

Hey, come over. We'll hang out. This is enough for me. It was. I was such an honor. I mean, I was in. We were in Roh. And, you know, I knew obviously, my QT Marshall was your was friends with you.

[Cody Rhodes]

I wish. I'm surprised we haven't brought him up already, actually.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, that's true.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yes.

[Damian Priest]

And is one of my best friends in the world. And through that, like, you and I became cooler. And then it was, hey, I'm gonna go to Cody's house. You want to come with? And I was like, well, I'm. It's kind of weird if I just show up with you. He's like, no, no, you're invited.

[Cody Rhodes]

Never. Weird.

[Damian Priest]

So I go. And then. Yeah, it was great. You were very good hosts. Really funny. You were like, yeah, let's. Let's. Let's have some cigars.

[Cody Rhodes]

Love it.

[Damian Priest]

To which you were like, you got. You guys, like, cigars? And we both said, yes. Neither one of us smoking cigars. You love, but you can't say no.

[Cody Rhodes]

Sounds like a great evening.

[Damian Priest]

So we're out there coughing up a storm. Every time you'd walk away and say, yeah, you know, but we. We hung in there. And then, like, are you hungry? Yeah. Well, eat, you know, and you order pizzas.

[Cody Rhodes]

And I think it was mellow mushroom, too. The good stuff.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. And then it's like, you know, at the time then we had tv, like, coming up, so I was like, oh, I'd really. Especially then I was really into dieting. This is when I had lost all the weight.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

So I'm like, oh, okay. But I can't say no. And then I see you're not eating. And then Brandy just makes you some steaks, and then you just eat that. And I was like, wait, what?

[Cody Rhodes]

Nice.

[Damian Priest]

And then that's when QT Mike goes, oh, yeah, he does this. He goes, yeah, he orders stuff. He goes, there's not for him. He goes, I just don't care.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, but it's not to hurt anyone. It's. I want you guys to enjoy 100. That's food.

[Damian Priest]

That's a lie. Because I would have enjoyed a steak. You know this. Who doesn't?

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. Well, now. Now I know, but people think it's a. It's a trick.

[Damian Priest]

No, I just, like, I just made it for now. You can't do it anymore because now everybody knows.

[Cody Rhodes]

Well, the snack basket used to be a big thing at the house.

[Damian Priest]

The snack basket was really funny how you would have that out.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And you kind of guilt people into eating junk food and not touch it.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yourself for a minute. During the period that I diet, which is crash type diets, where it's feast or famine, I really get almost a. I'm going to answer this differently. I really get a satisfaction off of watching people eat food that I can't eat. Like Swedish fish. I get. I get a genuine, like, it's. It's. All the endorphins are going. When I can see someone eating a sesame crust, hot honey, like a Roni type pizza, it gets me.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. You ordered all of them?

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. I wanted you guys to have it, but I wasn't trying to trick you. I wasn't. And shout out, by the way you mentioned him. I was not gonna mention him because right now I'm mad at him. But your friend, Your friend. Can I ask you. He sells you as if you are his best friend. This is Michael Kulari, also known as qt. He sells you as you are his best friend. However, he's the closest thing I've had to a best friend. And he is the godfather of my child.

[Damian Priest]

He puts you over big, I'll say that.

[Cody Rhodes]

I don't think he does.

[Damian Priest]

He does to me.

[Cody Rhodes]

Good. Because.

[Damian Priest]

And if we're that close, which we are. He. He doesn't. You're always brought up in a conversation somehow. No, no, he loves you, man.

[Cody Rhodes]

I feel a lot better than.

[Damian Priest]

Because I feel he loves your whole family, actually.

[Cody Rhodes]

Well, they. They appreciate him a lot of dogs. Yeah, the dog. Everyone loves him. He is the godfather of my child.

[Damian Priest]

You also always have Reese's for him, so.

[Cody Rhodes]

But because of that, I can't get him to the house like I used to get him to the house. And all those Reese's. They're ready for him. I don't know. I don't know.

[Damian Priest]

I. I get it. I don't. I don't get to see him anymore either. So. Yeah, I get it.

[Cody Rhodes]

I like that you guys were real friends, though, because for a while I thought he was making it up.

[Damian Priest]

No. So.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, I hung out with punishment I thought he was making.

[Damian Priest]

So when I started. Because we. We trained at the monster factory when Larry Sharp owned it.

[Cody Rhodes]

I have to ask you about the Monster Factory.

[Damian Priest]

Okay.

[Cody Rhodes]

The Monster Factory. Please go on. Go.

[Damian Priest]

You're not there. I had, I already had been about a year in and then he started so the infancy of my career, like that's when we met and we got along. We weren't like boys back then. We got, we became boys like because he had, he had. Ray had done stuff with Roh. He had done a lot of extra work for wwe. Yeah, he had, he trained also with the Dudleys and then came back to Jersey to the Monster Factory where I was now like helping coaching and stuff. And then we kind of like then hit it off differently like as like adults in this business. And, and you can, you know how rough he can be with his opinions a little too. But I love it. I respect it. Like he doesn't have a filter. He's just honest.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

So I, I love that about him and I think I was one of the few that was like more of that, you know. And we became best friends ever, you know, from that point on. But yeah, that's, that's where we became friends was in about 2004 ish. Around there when he started. We became friends.

[Cody Rhodes]

One of the things about the Monster Factory and the reason I wanted to ask you, your documentary, which I watched is amazing by the way. Congratulations on a great documentary. You know WWE threw you a premiere.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, I was there.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. They didn't throw me one out of pocket.

[Damian Priest]

I don't get pyro.

[Cody Rhodes]

Fair. Damn. Anyways.

[Damian Priest]

So the monster bartender.

[Cody Rhodes]

I do need one more. It's okay with you?

[Damian Priest]

It'd be fast.

[Cody Rhodes]

I got a couple good. More questions.

[Damian Priest]

I mean easier.

[Cody Rhodes]

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in person therapy can cost anywhere from 100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast. But with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save on average up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you. You pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and on time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it, and now it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient to you can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus switch therapists at any time. Your well being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.comcody to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp h lp.comkody asking about the Monster Factory. So Larry Sharp was with you? Who else?

[Damian Priest]

So, Larry Sharp, when I. When I started, yeah, he was there. He was the one. He was there to take the cash, which I had to borrow from some serious people just literally to start my wrestling career.

[Cody Rhodes]

You paying back?

[Damian Priest]

No, I was going to. Then people. Situations happened to people. They got taken away.

[Cody Rhodes]

So you're good?

[Damian Priest]

Oh, yeah. I was in the clear. No, no, it was. It was. Everything was. We're all good.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay.

[Damian Priest]

So he was there, but then he. Very early into my training, he got sick for the first time. So he left and left. Jim Molino, who used to be a referee for ecw. Yeah, And Ed Atlas, they were just the guys that were taking over there and coaching there. Trained in a little boxing ring that was low to the ground, stiff. Basically landing on. Basically the ground, yeah. Like landing on grass because it wasn't full cement. And that's literally just the fundamentals. That's the way I learned.

[Cody Rhodes]

I want to ask you this because again, I mentioned the documentary. I saw it and I had never seen. When I first saw you, you were the peak of physical fitness. Lean and mean. The long hair, abs were popping, everything. And the documentary shows a different side where you were in. I'd say. How would you describe it? Probably out of shape. As far as I was.

[Damian Priest]

Horrible.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay.

[Damian Priest]

Horribly out of shape.

[Cody Rhodes]

Horribly.

[Damian Priest]

I was extremely lazy. Like. Like, no excuses.

[Cody Rhodes]

So this is something we. So you meet a lot of people in life who tell you about how hard they work. Hard work gets everything. Hard work this, hard work that. Hard work. I wake up at five, all these things. You don't hear a lot of people basically say, hey, at one point, I didn't live like that. And then I started to live like that. I can tell you I relate very much to having turned the switch off and then having turned the switch on. And when you turn it on, you realize there's another layer there. What was it for you that made you want to turn things around physically? Everything. And basically not be lazy anymore in your wrestling career.

[Damian Priest]

So I was. I was managing a strip club in Atlantic City.

[Cody Rhodes]

Solid. What's the name of the club?

[Damian Priest]

It was Stilettos at the time.

[Cody Rhodes]

Boom.

[Damian Priest]

And good club, by the way.

[Cody Rhodes]

We just are.

[Damian Priest]

No, yeah, we're good.

[Cody Rhodes]

Solid.

[Damian Priest]

So. But it was. It was a solid situation as far as. For me, they gave me a penthouse apartment on the boardwalk because it was all One building connected, so they owned that too. So while I was working, I could live there, which I was just. I. They made me go down to Atlantic City just to run the club. Al Capone used to live in this penthouse apartment.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, I love it. Okay.

[Damian Priest]

So now I'm like, they gave me a free. A car. It was wrapped with, you know, ladies, little advertisement.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, yeah, little advertisement.

[Damian Priest]

But I had a free car.

[Cody Rhodes]

This bus is wrapped by Wheatley American Podcast.

[Damian Priest]

So you got it.

[Cody Rhodes]

So thanks.

[Damian Priest]

So I had a car, I had apartment and a job. Not to mention I was running one. Pretty much one of the hottest clubs in Atlantic City.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

I mean, I finally, like, to me, I was like, okay, I'm finally back. Like, this is. That was basically the job that got me out of that I was able to afford gear again.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And things were going decent. And then one day, one of the owners came up to me. He was like, hey, we want to give you more responsibility, give you a raise, you know, like, we like you. And it was all positive stuff. And I'm like, awesome. He goes, you just gotta stop doing that wrestling thing you do sometimes on the weekends. I don't know why. That day, and this is, by this point, I'm about £400. Yeah. This is because I'm. Now I've become complacent and lazy and everybody and their mother has just done this to me on my shoulder and said, you're going to be fine. Wrestling, you're big and you're. You, you got, you have ability, so you'll be fine. I just took that. I was like, I don't have to try no more. For whatever reason, I don't know why I became that way. And then. But that day, specifically, because I got to the point a few nights that I was. I realized that I was actually unhappy.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Miserable and self sabotaging. And then. And I knew that I was like not doing what I was supposed to be doing. And that day it was perfect timing because I was feeling all those things. The owner told me that. And without hesitation I said, yeah, you have my two weeks notice. I walked out of that office and it was like, what did I just do? Yeah. Because now I went right back to not having anywhere to go.

[Cody Rhodes]

An emotional decision.

[Damian Priest]

But like, without hesitation, that same day, stopped eating junk food, cut out so many things, joined the gym and never looked back.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And then it was crazy how when the moment I started that and then got rid of all these. It's just people that just tell you what you want to Hear not what you need to hear.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And people that just like to, like, ride the bandwagon. People you don't need in your life. The moment I dropped everybody from there and just started dealing with real people, all of it, the opportunity started happening. That's when I started getting. And then I. First of all, I lost the weight. Then I started getting calls to do extra work and tryouts, and Roh was calling. It was just a lot of things started happening and I was like, I wish I would have done this sooner. Like, he's like, like, wow, what a thought. Work for your dream and things can happen well, too.

[Cody Rhodes]

Mediocrity loves company. And it's nice to have company. It is.

[Damian Priest]

It's comfortable.

[Cody Rhodes]

It's comfortable. But there's such a. There's such a brighter side. There's such a. Such a bigger thing. And I love that you basically, it just upon hearing that you would potentially lose this thing. Just hearing it flares you off enough to say, ah, I'm good, I'm good. And follow that.

[Damian Priest]

That's.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, that's. That's an incredible thing.

[Damian Priest]

So, yeah, no, no, it's. You're spot on. And actually, I've never said this in any interview or really to. In publicly to. Even to my friends. About a week before that, I was in really bad shape, and I actually, I remember I called my mom and I don't remember what I said because I was in really bad shape. And I just remember her saying, just come home. Yeah, leave. Forget everything you. You're doing. Just come home. And then the next day I was like, no, no, I'm sorry I called and. But she was, like, extremely worried about me. Like, like worried about me. Like, I'm on the edge of a building, worried about me just because I was just in bad place. I think the owner of that club did me such a solid by giving me an ultimatum. Yeah. And changed my life because then it was just. I was just so focused on positivity and making it.

[Cody Rhodes]

Isn't it funny? The most negative people. And sometimes. And I don't want to use the word evil because I don't know if we know when we're being evil, but sometimes things like that end up being our biggest allies because they gave you. They gave you the moment. They gave you the out. This segment is brought to you by Fanatics. What is your Mount Rushmore of sports jerseys, including WWE gear that means the most to you? So you get four selections. It can be jerseys, memorabilia, your own personal gear, someone else's Gear, whatever it may be. What is your Mount Rushmore?

[Damian Priest]

Wow, that is a crazy question.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. I feel one thing, I gotta be honest about the show is we throw these questions on people. They're not easy questions.

[Damian Priest]

No, but this one with jerseys or just fanatics Merch.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. I feel like. Hey, let me. Let me hint you. Let me hint you up.

[Damian Priest]

I got some ideas, but this is crazy.

[Cody Rhodes]

You're a. You're a Yankees guy.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. So, of course, generally, yeah, you're a Yankees guy.

[Cody Rhodes]

You friends with Aaron Judge?

[Damian Priest]

I wouldn't say we're friends.

[Cody Rhodes]

I'd like to think you're pretty friends with your gut. Okay, so you met the Judge. There it is, man. Like, who else. You got the G Jeters there? Who, Who. Who are you getting here? Gear, jerseys. Who's your four?

[Damian Priest]

So for the Yankees, Judge is 100 there.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

What he's doing, especially this year, I mean, this is historic stuff.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

So judge is 100%. We're talking even wrestling shirts. Austin 316. The original. The OG like the original one great one has to be there. The original NWO shirt.

[Cody Rhodes]

Great.

[Damian Priest]

It has to be, right?

[Cody Rhodes]

You're good. One more. Take us home.

[Damian Priest]

Take you home. When you think iconic, it's gotta be Jeter. Right?

[Cody Rhodes]

It's the best dude.

[Damian Priest]

It's gotta be, dude.

[Cody Rhodes]

When I'm down and watching Jeter's the last at bat, I could run through a brick.

[Damian Priest]

3,000 hit last at bat. Mr. November. Like, it's just ridiculous. Like, I don't know when the movies and documentaries are coming out, but it's gonna be wild.

[Cody Rhodes]

Cheers to that. Amazing. Let me close this out for our viewers and listeners. Whoever is on your Mount Rushmore. You can get all your favorite jerseys and fan clothing from fanatics. Go to fanatics.com or download the app today up. Fresh stuff.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. Time.

[Cody Rhodes]

Right.

[Damian Priest]

Parched again.

[Cody Rhodes]

Thank you so much. Thank you.

[Damian Priest]

Thanks, Doug.

[Cody Rhodes]

Thank you.

[Damian Priest]

Appreciate it.

[Cody Rhodes]

Thanks, Kyle. Thank you very much.

[Damian Priest]

Salute.

[Cody Rhodes]

Cheer.

[Damian Priest]

But to my guano el mano.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, but I. I feel when people. This, this club owner, he's telling you, hey, you got to stop this. There are those incidents still happen on a weekly, on a monthly. They happen where people try to impede you from something and they end up being big allies in your life. Not in a way where you call them, not in a way where you're friends with them. But they were turning point. They were anchored people. And in that moment and in a way. Glad. Glad it happened.

[Damian Priest]

A lot of me, too. Yeah. Isn't it wild? Like, one moment. And it was the timing, too, because a week before, maybe my answer would have been different. It's just wild how just the right timing of stuff can work out for people and. But that's on us always.

[Cody Rhodes]

Do you know that guy today? Do you talk to him? Have you ever spoken to him?

[Damian Priest]

Nope. Never spoke to him again.

[Cody Rhodes]

I always tell. I hate saying this, but I do feel you'll come across. And this isn't everyone, but you'll come across a lot of enemies in wrestling. And I always tell people, I'm like, don't worry about them. I have defeated so few of my enemies. However, karma has defeated almost all of them.

[Damian Priest]

It's crazy how that works.

[Cody Rhodes]

I have had so little focus on the ones who hurt me or hurt Brandy, and I thought, no, I'm just gonna. The best thing I can do is be successful. And then by the time I look back, oh, they're gone. Something. All right. They took care of themselves.

[Damian Priest]

I've noticed that, too. It's wild how that works.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And I think sometimes it's because you don't have to do anything. It's when people are that miserable and that negative and that malicious, when something bad happens to them, it. It just. It's a bigger deal than it should be. So that's when you do. When you. Eventually you do hear about something to your point, it's like, yeah, you're not hearing about the positive. You're just hearing about the negative that happened to that person because it's bigger impact to that one individual. And it's wild how. Yeah, I know exactly what you're saying, because I've seen it and I've experienced it. And you're right. It's. Somehow the universe works in weird ways, and to whatever people believe in, it does come back some way somehow.

[Cody Rhodes]

One of the. This is a big detour, but one of the unique ways the universe works. I have always wanted to ask you this. Are you afraid of flying? Because we had a situation, and I hope you don't mind. We had a situation where the Omaha. We needed to get to Omaha or get out of Omaha, something. And I thought I'd be big baller and save the day. And there was no commercial flights were going. They were clearly gonna delay it or cancel. So I got the crew a jet. We were heading to El Paso. Actually. That was the trouble. We needed to get to El Paso from Nebraska in the middle of a snowstorm. And the only way we could do it is flying private. Ultimately. Wwe, thank gosh. Stepped In. They covered it for me. So they.

[Damian Priest]

But the fact that you were willing to do it was pretty cool. And I think people should know that. That's who you are. You're that guy.

[Cody Rhodes]

We had a show to do and remember, no producers. Me and Seth.

[Damian Priest]

Me and Seth, man, that was a.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, that's me and Seth.

[Damian Priest]

That's right. What a crazy day.

[Cody Rhodes]

We were producers and it was a show that had a commission, so we actually had to do work. It wasn't like, hey, you're good. We know your match. Hey, 12 minutes. None of that. That was all pretty.

[Damian Priest]

This is WWE crazy.

[Cody Rhodes]

Hey, please, please go see the commission for your. For your heart. Your heart.

[Damian Priest]

Like, why are you telling me this?

[Cody Rhodes]

Because I had.

[Damian Priest]

You guys are walking around the paper. Not. But you guys did your thing and everybody. But everybody took you guys seriously.

[Cody Rhodes]

The best is I didn't put the producers on the flight. I put the boys on the flight because I like, hey, well, we do. We have to do the show.

[Damian Priest]

Love the producers.

[Cody Rhodes]

Love them. But we had to do the show.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. You need the talent for the show.

[Cody Rhodes]

So Seth is doing it, doing an incredible job. Obviously, that's in his future. I'm sure the world can figure out that.

[Damian Priest]

I agree.

[Cody Rhodes]

That's in his future. But I remember you being on that plane and you're so calm and so, like, jovial in the way you are. And then it's a private jet and those often feel like you're falling out of the sky. And it took off and you went.

[Damian Priest]

Like, close the window.

[Cody Rhodes]

Stop laughing.

[Damian Priest]

I freaked out. Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

Started like, clenching more to the sea. And I thought, what is this giant, man? So, like, afraid. A small fear of flying, perhaps.

[Damian Priest]

So I don't like flying, plain and simple. I'm better with it now.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And actually, it was the first time I wrestled in Japan, and I remember talking to somebody. It was Adam Cole, actually.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Where I was telling him because he told me that he had a fear of flying back in the day. And because I was terrified to fly to Japan. And he told me. He was like, this is the flight that's going to get you over it. He goes, that's what happened to me. He goes, you're just stuck there for so many hours that you kind of just settle in. And I understood what he said. And. And I agree with him because it got me more comfortable. Like, I'm okay with flying. And I. But I always. Every flight, as soon as I sit down, I got to put on my headphones. I got to start figuring out What I'm going to do for when the flight takes off. Yeah, I have. My brain has to be distracted. I can't just be looking out a window. Oh. I can't just be in silence. Just like in the moment. Because I will freak out.

[Cody Rhodes]

You know how I know this, right?

[Damian Priest]

Well, that flight.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, you. That flight threw a giant drink all over me.

[Damian Priest]

I did not. Okay, okay.

[Cody Rhodes]

I had limes.

[Damian Priest]

I'm going to let the client know this. So. So Cody, he. As charming as he is and as entertaining as he is, he fabricates a lot of stories. He. He. That's not true. That's not what happened.

[Cody Rhodes]

Did we not take off from Saudi.

[Damian Priest]

Arabia to all the boys. You love telling the story. As if I threw a drink behind me and threw lines. I literally. The way my drink is right now. I put it down. It was because. So you have a chair. And now there's like a. Between the chair and the window, there's like a little railing thing. I put it down there. The thing took off. I held on because it was terrifying. And everything just slid backwards. And to. To be honest, I couldn't believe that there was nothing in between. It just kept on going. So, like limes and.

[Cody Rhodes]

And I have no fear of flying.

[Damian Priest]

And nothing touched.

[Cody Rhodes]

I was probably dead asleep.

[Damian Priest]

He just saw it and he was like, why are you throwing stuff out?

[Cody Rhodes]

Covered. It was covered with lime. Not that I want to talk to Harm.

[Damian Priest]

Maybe limes landed. Like.

[Cody Rhodes]

Why do you smell like. No, I was. I. I'm glad you've. I'm glad you've answered. I. I was curious. So you're over it, though, But.

[Damian Priest]

No, no, I'm good still. As long as I'm distracted and, you know, if you take it easy, I'm good.

[Cody Rhodes]

The old libations.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, that. That'll get.

[Cody Rhodes]

So Dogs gotta hunt.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, and there's a little brag. Last year I signed a new contract. Right. With the company.

[Cody Rhodes]

No way.

[Damian Priest]

And it was right before.

[Cody Rhodes]

Is that news?

[Damian Priest]

I don't know. I didn't make it. I didn't make a scene out of it like McIntyre or anybody. Yeah, but I didn't get a sword.

[Cody Rhodes]

We love Drew, but he's licking it online. Come on the show, dude.

[Damian Priest]

I'm not even gonna.

[Cody Rhodes]

Big Scottish guy. I bet he could drink.

[Damian Priest]

I'll give him that. He can get it in.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

So I. My. And part of my contract up until this point, you know, and I'm a big guy, never sat. I don't even think I sat for first class in my life.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

But I was like, hey, you know, I don't wanna be on pain anymore. Like, what? I want to wrestle and then be. Because, like, I'm sorry. I am a big guy. I don't fit. So I. And they're like, oh, that's not a problem. Yeah, you should have had that already. I was like, I don't know. I don't know the rules. I don't know how to do politic. I don't know how to ask for. I'm just not me.

[Cody Rhodes]

It's not really politicking. I'm just asking for a creature comfort.

[Damian Priest]

I don't know how it works. I still don't know.

[Cody Rhodes]

Just ask for what you want.

[Damian Priest]

But there was the first time that they were like, yeah, you could sit at the front of plane from now on. Wow. So. And the first time that this went to effect was actually when we went to Australia last year.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Now you know the way I fly. You know the way I am on the planes, especially charters with the boys and the girls. Like, I like to make a will say, like I said, we're going to have a good time.

[Cody Rhodes]

I'm glad you brought this up, because lately I haven't been flying with the crew. And some of the reports I've heard back of superheroes, of you dressed in superhero outfits are accurate. Are the reports accurate, Batman?

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. Yeah. What happens is, after a few libations and sometime in the air, I just feel like people need some help. And superheroes are the best at helping. So they'll see me. You'll see me like this, and then I'll walk away.

[Cody Rhodes]

So you're.

[Damian Priest]

And the next time you see me, I'm in full.

[Cody Rhodes]

You're a superhero for the flight.

[Damian Priest]

I'm in full costume and character. There is no Damian Priest or Luis or nothing.

[Cody Rhodes]

What characters have you been so.

[Damian Priest]

So far? I've only done, I think, just two. I pretend to be other ones. I've only, like, in full costume to Aquaman and Batman. I've done Aquaman twice, though.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay. Did you feel you helped people?

[Damian Priest]

I think I brought joy. So. Yes.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. No, I. I have not been on the flight, and then I've gotten to the place and they've been like, well, Priest was in a full Batman outfit.

[Damian Priest]

And they're. The reactions are funny because you get like, everybody kind of like, what you know, or people waking up from a nap and then just seeing me and being like, where am I? And then you have someone like, you know. And again, we're having libations Someone like Jimmy uso.

[Cody Rhodes]

Big Jim.

[Damian Priest]

Big Jim saw me.

[Cody Rhodes]

No bump Jim doesn't like to take a bump.

[Damian Priest]

I mean, nobody really likes.

[Cody Rhodes]

Cheers to that. No bump Jim. God bless him.

[Damian Priest]

Love that guy.

[Cody Rhodes]

Good dude.

[Damian Priest]

He saw me as Aquaman. Never seen somebody more mad.

[Cody Rhodes]

He didn't like.

[Damian Priest]

He just. He didn't get up. He didn't say a word to me. He just sat there, just mean.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, no.

[Damian Priest]

But it was real. And then I. I've talked to him about it. He was like. I don't know why I was so hot about it. But anyway, this flight to Australia. Yeah, my first one. And now it's. That's a long flight.

[Cody Rhodes]

So it's not the only flight.

[Damian Priest]

And again, I think we've established the way I am.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And especially on charters. I like my libation. I like having a good time with everybody. But they put me in the front for the first time. But on this front, it was me. Undertaker, Triple H. Like, it was like everybody that was important was in the front. And I was like, they're gonna hate me after this trip. Then I was like. Or do I just, you know, take it easy? I think I'd take it easy.

[Cody Rhodes]

Full speed ahead.

[Damian Priest]

I mean. Yeah. Taker made fun of me. Hunter, I think a few times was like, what's wrong with you? I was like, I don't know. I'm sorry. And I had to walk away. And then I hung on the back of the plane. I did all this to get to the front, and I ended up flying the back of the plane. For the most. I sat down a few times when they said, you gotta sit down.

[Cody Rhodes]

I got a good Hunter story. In terms of where I thought, I'll never live that day we had. He doesn't probably remember this as often. I'll tell him a story. He'll be like, that happened. I'm like, yep. We were on the bus. And this is back when Hunter would be on the bus on the Europe tours. We're in the very back, and he's got his headphones in and noise canceling, but you can still hear the motor head. He's really. He's in it. Long hair at the time. And I stood up to walk up to the front of the bus. No big deal. I'm not drinking. I'm not doing anything dumb. I'm not being excessive. I'm not being vulgar. I'm just. Just living back here. And the bus turned and it took a hard turn.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, no.

[Cody Rhodes]

And right as it turned.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, no.

[Cody Rhodes]

I fell towards Hunter. And My entire crotch was just locked into his face. And because of the gravity and the centripetal forces that are happening here, I could not get back, I couldn't pull myself back. And he's just going, what the. Just like. And I, and then we get to a straightaway gravity and there's a, I don't want to. You know, we think of him now in professional sense and we will, obviously. Yeah, I, I, he had a lot of words for me. They were. He had more than two words for me.

[Damian Priest]

More than two.

[Cody Rhodes]

He had more than two. But I felt like, well, that's it. One of my wrestling heroes has now had my.

[Damian Priest]

He gets over pretty quickly.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, he moves.

[Damian Priest]

I mean, he moves on.

[Cody Rhodes]

Immediately after hearing that story at the hall of Fame, it's like, oh, man, that was a flesh wound compared to what you were dealing with.

[Damian Priest]

Right, right. Yeah, he's good.

[Cody Rhodes]

What a good boss.

[Damian Priest]

By the way, Papa H. Yeah, Papa.

[Cody Rhodes]

H. Cheers to him. Good boss. Cheers. Speaking of Triple H. Good boss. One of our, or one of Triple H's closest friends, the bad guy, Razor Ramon. Scott Hall, One of your idols, if not your biggest idol in all of sports entertainment, pro wrestling. Tell me about that.

[Damian Priest]

I, I think you agree you, you from the business. So you have multiple idols and people that you looked up to.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

The character Razor Ramon, that was the initial introduction to me.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Loving that guy because number one, I didn't, you know, I was a kid, so I, I didn't realize that he wasn't Latino. To me, I was like, he legit was.

[Cody Rhodes]

He did a great job then. Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

I'm sure my dad knew and yeah, other people, like, you know, because maybe the accent wasn't on, but to me I was like, that was my first of the man. This guy represents us. Yeah, because that was before Savio and stuff, you know, because I was a big Savio fan.

[Cody Rhodes]

Savio was great.

[Damian Priest]

But so it's to me, Razor Ramon, that character.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, so cool. The machismo and then just that, the bad guy, the machismo. All those, those, those lines, the, the surfer walk, the cha cha cha thing. He was just the coolest. The way he would do his hair. And I'm a big fan of the movie Scarface, which is where he got the car, the character from. So it all like, man, this is so cool. Fast forward as, as you know, now I'm an adult and I'm thinking about doing stuff. My dream is not to become a wrestler. Then he jumps ship to wcw and then this is Super Cool. And I'm like, he's still the cool. That's. I never watched WCW ever.

[Cody Rhodes]

He took you.

[Damian Priest]

I knew what WCW was. Wow. I knew Sting was. Yeah, I knew all the main stars there.

[Cody Rhodes]

Well, speaking of Sting, Scott hall is largely responsible for Crow.

[Damian Priest]

Sting, I would say. 100%.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. So the guy knew. The guy knew what was cool. Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Sting became one of my favorites because of the Crow character, which is my also favorite movies. And that's kind of cool that Scott hall said that.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

But he brought me there and then. So all of this fandom and thinking he's the coolest. Fast forward many years later to NXT when I actually got to meet him. And again, I was a fan, basically. I'm kind of a fan of the Click, to be honest, because I'm like, I'm friends with, with Xbox. Sean.

[Cody Rhodes]

How could you not be? They're all. They were the best at what they were doing.

[Damian Priest]

Kevin Nash, I thought Big Daddy Cool was another one of those. Is one of the coolest people. When you saw him on tv, you're like, that guy's cool. Like, you know, I was Shawn Michaels and Triple H. There's nothing to be said about them.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

But with Scott specifically, he was just. Because he. First of all, he was so big, but knew how to do a job that made other people seem bigger and make him. He was just one of the man. I still think he's underrated.

[Cody Rhodes]

How good. He's so good that as you. As time keeps going, I see more and more and I'm thinking, I mean, even the bump that people are always looking at, the Steve Austin, the stunner bump.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

One of the lost arts is you can do the job for somebody in pro wrestling or you can do the honors. And the clique. As much as they were beating everybody on a pretty regular. They also knew how to do the honors. When you were gonna beat them, you.

[Damian Priest]

Were gonna beat them and they, they fought to make it cooler.

[Cody Rhodes]

Gosh, they gave you everything, right?

[Damian Priest]

I, I would always credit them. That's why I try to mimic that. Like if I'm gonna lose.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Like I look at them as an example. Look, that's how you lose. You know what I mean? Like just, just don't complain. Don't think of like an easy way out. Just do it and it's great. So, and then in nxt when I finally got to meet him a couple times and I was very shy ish talking to him. Him and Nash both, because they would usually come together, but specifically Scott. I went up to and. And, you know, we had long conversations about stuff, and Xbox kind of set the table, because I was already friends with him and introduced me and said, this is a good dude. So that he had paid a little extra attention to me. And then, you know, when I explained to him why I was a fan and how I felt, and he thought it was cool, and I was like, hey, would you mind if I did a few things that you do? And it started with the walk, which I didn't even know had a name. And he told me what the surfer walk. And I was like, oh, yeah. He was like, yeah, because, like, you're on a surfboard. And I was like, that's never even knew that. And then he even. He was like, yeah, if you want to do the cha cha cha. And I was like, that has a name, too. I was like. But I was like, I don't have the rhythm for that. I don't know.

[Cody Rhodes]

The cha cha cha.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. For whatever reason, I can't do it right. So I'm like, I'm never gonna do that one. But then the Razor's Edge was the big one. And I was like, would you mind if I did the Razor's Edge? He was like, well, people do it. I was like, yeah, but they don't call it the Razor's Edge.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

I was like, I'm not gonna do a high cross, or.

[Cody Rhodes]

No, you wanna do the Razor's Edge.

[Damian Priest]

It's the Razor's Edge. And he goes, that's cool. I was like, yeah. And I was like, thank you. And then even doing the drip. And that was a combo. Cause I had to ask him. And then Nash was there as well.

[Cody Rhodes]

The blood drip?

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, Using that in my gear and stuff, which I've incorporated, basically. It's kind of like one of my standard looks. Like I do two different versions, but it's. It's a part of my look now, which I was kind of cool that when I asked him, first Scott. And then Scott called over Nash. And I was like. But he did it in a way where it was. They were teasing me. Like, I was like, hey, man, would you mind if I use the drip? He was like, oh, you want to use our stuff? Hey, Kev. And he calls him over. And I was like, oh, my God, this is gonna backfire so badly. He goes, brother wants to use our logos, our drip.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, wow.

[Damian Priest]

What do you think of that? So now I'm looking at Nash, who. As for what I know, he's just a business guy. He's about, he is about the business. So if it has to do with something that somebody else is gonna make money because of his idea, I'm like, he's gonna, he's gonna be really mean to me right now.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Complete opposite.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, I love it.

[Damian Priest]

Complete opposite. Nash was like, absolutely. That's awesome. And then Scott looks at me, he goes, bruh. Anything that reminds people of us and makes us look good, we're gonna be down for it. And I was like, I always try to make you look good, dog. And it was one of the coolest things. And to this day I'll cherish all our little moments that we had together and Ah, yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

Cheers to the click, man. Scott. Scott's one of the things he did and it's, I've heard him tell the story, I've heard other tell the story. But my dad had bought Scott his first pair of wrestling boots. That's pretty common. I mean, I'm not trying to pat myself on the back, but I, I tend to buy people's first pair of boots.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, but that's cool because you're in a position of that influence when you can. Yeah, no, no, that, that's pretty sweet.

[Cody Rhodes]

You can. And I don't want him back, but I've bought a few boots. But Scott showed back up and it was a matter of $300. This wasn't, you know, it wasn't too bad. And it was only months after Dusty had bought him those boots and he slapped it back in his hands and he made it official. And just my, my dad. That's a good story, my dad. You know, when you meet younger people, like, I, I always joked with you guys that I wish Dom thought I was cool because Dom's so cool.

[Damian Priest]

Dom is pretty.

[Cody Rhodes]

Dom is so cool.

[Damian Priest]

It's like, I hate and love that.

[Cody Rhodes]

I've given up on it because he's, he's not gonna think I'm, but man.

[Damian Priest]

He is like, he is so cool.

[Cody Rhodes]

He's so cool.

[Damian Priest]

I see him sometimes. I'm like, I, I think I hate.

[Cody Rhodes]

You more because he's so cool, right?

[Damian Priest]

So cool.

[Cody Rhodes]

So I, I, they were so cool. And I think my dad saw them and thought, hey, let me be cool with you guys a little bit. And they were the first to be like, yup, 100. We'll join you. So really good. And again, underrated in terms of knowing how to. When it's time, we will. Yeah, we'll bust you up. But when it's your time, just look, we got you. We Got you, man.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

Doing the honors versus doing the job. And I know this isn't. We talk a lot of inside baseball and stuff on the pod, and I just. There's a huge difference. If you're ever gonna do it, that's how you do it.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

I want to ask you a question, but I also want to thank you for something that you did, you guys.

[Damian Priest]

But let me tell you one more Scott story.

[Cody Rhodes]

Hit it up.

[Damian Priest]

Just because you. That reminded me of something funn. Terry Taylor. Love him. Tt he's one of my coaches in nxt, and Scott was there around the time that I asked him about the Razor's Edge to use it. And then he left like he was there as a guest, and I asked him. So after that experience, he left. And that's when I was in Terry Taylor's class. And Terry Taylor, just for whatever reason was. We were talking about Scott hall in class, and we were watching some matches back. Love this story. And Terry Taylor told it, which is even funnier in wcw. I guess they were gonna give Terry the shot. Now Scott's there. They were like, look, Scott's gonna beat you, but you're gonna get 90 of the offense.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

You're gonna light them up. You're gonna showcase. And this will set the table for to building you. He said, all right, sweet. Go to the ring. They lock up or whatever. And Scotty immediately goes. Office said cell. And it just beats him up. And it just lights him up. Beats him, and it gets to the back. He was like, what happened? They were like, we were gonna ask you what happened. And then he realized he got me. Office never told Scott anything.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, my gosh.

[Damian Priest]

It's one of my favorite.

[Cody Rhodes]

Terry, man.

[Damian Priest]

Office and cell. Terry just beat up Terry and then pinned them.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Horrible.

[Cody Rhodes]

But.

[Damian Priest]

But at the same time, now in the future. Funny story.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Love that story.

[Cody Rhodes]

Shout out to Terry, by the way, because he teaches stuff that you only find out later. You trained our boss where you go?

[Damian Priest]

Huh?

[Cody Rhodes]

That was. Right. I heard that before.

[Damian Priest]

A thousand percent. Yeah. There was a. I'm not gonna. And this is completely honest. When I was in nxt, Terry and I butted heads. I was not a fan of Terry at first.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

Until I figured out. I was like, oh, my God. He's like this because he wants me to be so good.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

And then now, today, we're insanely awesome. I love that guy, and I appreciate his contributions.

[Cody Rhodes]

I want to thank you for something, not just for being the guest who drank the most Wheatley vodka with me. But I don't get hurt. The pec injury is very, oh, unique. It's an anomaly. I don't like to get hurt. I don't like to tell people when I'm hurt. I don't like to tell people when I'm sick. I'm. I like to. I'm here. Let's go. Full speed ahead. Rtd. As you know, I, on the Christmas loop, was wrestling you in steel cages.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

And the night in Boston where you went to Calhoun's, where John Cena was at, and you were wondering where I was at. I was on the bus, nearly dead.

[Damian Priest]

I remember texting you. I was like, john Cena showed up. Where are you?

[Cody Rhodes]

So. But I didn't know I was. Matt can tell you. I was next to my bed, not even laying on my bed, in the crux of the bunk back there, basically by the bathroom. I had what I thought was maybe a stomach bug. It ended up just being food poisoning. But I thought, we're gonna need to go to the hospital. I get to Toronto. We're driving all the way through borders. I get to Toronto the next day, and I pull up to the gym. I lay there throughout the gym thing. I'm shivering. Temperatures just a blazing. It's everything you could think of. It's the worst it's ever been. I'm wrestling you in cages.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

Cage matches in the premium match of the night. And Matt, I remember him telling me, he goes, hey, we need to get a doctor. And I said, no, just tell me the match. Two matches before me. Tell me the match. Two matches. So he does. And I got my tights on. I got my boots on. There's no color in my skin. Completely dead void. And I came and I told you, I said, hey, I'm a little sick, so just, you know, be mindful. Maybe don't kick me in the stomach. Which the first thing all wrestlers would do is, like, kick a guy in the stomach. And then you were like, yeah, okay. And you kind of. I think we were just talking in a way that it was just talk. And then you saw me go to a trash can next to you where I voided about 30 pounds of fluid right there.

[Damian Priest]

I remember that.

[Cody Rhodes]

It was that bad.

[Damian Priest]

I can't see that.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. And you.

[Damian Priest]

I got. No.

[Cody Rhodes]

I remember you looking at me and going. And then we wrestled. And it continued for three nights after that. I was sick for the entire tour. And you were. I was like a little baby bird. And you took care of me. And there's even photos of me Online. Laying on the mat where it looks like a pale skeleton in the cage and climbing to the top of the cage. I could not have asked for a more professional dance partner in that moment. And again, if we never use it. Understood. But it's the worst it's ever been for me in the ring. Adrenaline didn't help at all. There was no adrenaline in my soul.

[Damian Priest]

None. The soul. At that point, the soul was.

[Cody Rhodes]

I wanted to thank you for it. Stand by more. I wanted to thank you for it.

[Damian Priest]

No, and I do remember that. But look, that's one of those. It's like, man, Cody's responsible for the house. We got to do our part. True. But thank you.

[Cody Rhodes]

I. I couldn't have asked for better.

[Damian Priest]

That was. That was actually. I remember that. And that was. That was a lot. Because I felt bad and I was like, how do I protect. That was. It was a lot of, like, pressure in the sense of, I don't want to hurt him. I don't. Like, in this, like, you're. You're not hurt. You physically just, like, do damage to what was going through it. And I was like, okay, like, let me make this really easy for him.

[Cody Rhodes]

You kept me, man.

[Damian Priest]

You're not bringing up Saudi.

[Cody Rhodes]

I kept that one secret.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, man.

[Cody Rhodes]

Do you want me to bring it up?

[Damian Priest]

That's up to you.

[Cody Rhodes]

Saudi's very simple.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. It actually is a short one.

[Cody Rhodes]

It's a very simple little tale. I want to shout out one of the best producers in all of wwe, that being Chris Abyss is Chris Park. I just call him Abyss.

[Damian Priest]

I call him Abyss.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah. Just a wonderful producer. Incredibly nervous all the time, but wants everything to be great. He was our producer for our match in Saudi.

[Damian Priest]

Yep.

[Cody Rhodes]

And for whatever reason, sometimes the crowds are amazing and hot and vocal and loud. This crowd was a little bit more subdued. And right before we went out, we were second to last, I believe.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Cody Rhodes]

And Judgment Day. Cody Rhodes. This had been a regular TV story. Our someone in management stood up and said, hey, guys, if they're not there for you, just go home. Take it home. And I remember thinking, huh? Exactly.

[Damian Priest]

That was the best thing they could have said.

[Cody Rhodes]

I remember thinking, don't love that.

[Damian Priest]

No.

[Cody Rhodes]

And not at all. We proceeded to get him back. And it was a sprint.

[Damian Priest]

We were on a clock, but we were on it.

[Cody Rhodes]

And I thought. Because I remember we met in the really weird showers that they have over there. God bless. But it was a moment of, hey, thank you. And good moment. And I felt good for Abyss.

[Damian Priest]

I was proud. Like, don't tell me. Hey, they're probably not. No, we'll get it.

[Cody Rhodes]

No.

[Damian Priest]

And it was like an understanding without. We didn't have that conversation before the match of, well, now we have to go out there and kill. No. We just both knew what we had to do and we did it, came back and then got praised for it.

[Cody Rhodes]

If it's, if it's our job to get them, we're going to get them. Now you're telling us. Hey, we don't even. No, no, no, no. We're going to, we're going to go even harder. And that was, that was good.

[Damian Priest]

That was a proud. We put the pressure on ourselves without even discussing it and then did the job. And they came back and they got told you brought them back. Like, thank you. And it was like, you're welcome. The good times.

[Cody Rhodes]

The good times.

[Damian Priest]

Love that.

[Cody Rhodes]

So this is a game we play on a show that often. Every show. I don't know. I said often. I'll play this for you. This is the jingle for Wheatley American Vodka. It ends in a certain way. I'm going to ask you to change the phrasing on it as we go, but first I want you to take a look at this vodka soda with Wheatley. Wheatley so good, I drink it. This song right here is for the.

[Damian Priest]

Red, white and blue.

[Cody Rhodes]

You got good taste and you drink like it too. Wheatley is so good I drink it neatly. Wheatley American Vodka. Okay. Wheatley American vodka. The wonderful providers here today. Wheatley's so good I drink it neatly. Damien Priest. What would you replace the word neatly with?

[Damian Priest]

So Wheatley so good, so good I drink it. I drink it to take it easy.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh, perfect, Perfect. Cheers to that. Cheers to that. You might have preemptively drank that whole thing here, but that's okay. That's a good way to end. Oh, no, I will, I will myself.

[Damian Priest]

And doing multiple bottles now, so you got to finish one at a time.

[Cody Rhodes]

Fly, Wheatley. So we like to consider ourselves the American dream team. God bless my friends at Wheatley, myself and Wheatley Vodka. I want to ask you, and you probably have a follow up question. That's okay. Who makes up your dream team?

[Damian Priest]

Like how many people? Like for what?

[Cody Rhodes]

You know what I know.

[Damian Priest]

I need. I need.

[Cody Rhodes]

We have had it all over the map. We've had animals.

[Damian Priest]

I don't even know what. I don't even know what you mean.

[Cody Rhodes]

So the best way I'll put it is as you're heading into the zombie apocalypse, who's with you or you're heading into War games. Who's with you? And you can pick animals. You can. You go. Go crazy. We've had people go crazy. Huh?

[Damian Priest]

How many people?

[Cody Rhodes]

If you're going into War games, I think you need four more.

[Damian Priest]

Oh yeah. So that's zombie apocalypse. I was thinking we're like four people.

[Cody Rhodes]

You honestly don't. Don't limit yourself. Who's coming in? Who's your dream team?

[Damian Priest]

Oh man, this is rough.

[Cody Rhodes]

Jackie and Harry.

[Damian Priest]

Because I'm like, I'm like ready for a zombie apocalypse.

[Cody Rhodes]

All right, let's go.

[Damian Priest]

Who is like. I got bows and arrows, I got all types of stuff. I got ammo, I got a lot of stuff. I'm ready, I'm ready to go. For either zombies or aliens. I'm ready to go.

[Cody Rhodes]

Why do you have a bow and arrow from the archer?

[Damian Priest]

I have them all over the house.

[Cody Rhodes]

Okay, fair.

[Damian Priest]

Arrows everywhere. Just ready just in case. Bam.

[Cody Rhodes]

Bam. Love it. Who is it?

[Damian Priest]

I'm pretty good at it. Okay. I don't know. Oh man. Cuz I. Because when. See now you said zombie and I'm thinking apocalypse.

[Cody Rhodes]

Don't think too hard on it.

[Damian Priest]

People are going to run out of.

[Cody Rhodes]

You're going in. You're in a foxhole. Who's in there with you? Who's in there with you?

[Damian Priest]

Cody, you're going to be in there with me.

[Cody Rhodes]

Oh hell yeah. Yeah. Cheers to that. I'm a good foxhole guy.

[Damian Priest]

I need Rhea.

[Cody Rhodes]

Rhea, Ripley, Cody Rhodes and I'm just.

[Damian Priest]

Doing people that we work with. I'm keep it simple. Fair, fair, fair, fair. I'm gonna keep it simple because then it's not. It'll be crazy. But it's gotta be more of a party vibe too.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, the zombie apocalypse does need the party vibe.

[Damian Priest]

But if you grab somebody like Seamus, I mean you get both the guys.

[Cody Rhodes]

That's a great guy.

[Damian Priest]

He's just destroy people but also party big shame.

[Cody Rhodes]

So you got Sheamus, you got Rhea, you got me.

[Damian Priest]

Oh man.

[Cody Rhodes]

You can have more than one more.

[Damian Priest]

Gotcha. Just because he's just the coolest and he's your dude. I mean, Randy Orton, right?

[Cody Rhodes]

Like great pick. He's big too. So you can kind of like now you can't be fair.

[Damian Priest]

He's probably gonna push us in front of him. But we're gonna have a good time with him.

[Cody Rhodes]

Yeah, that's always the difficulty with being with. Randy is like Tom Cruise and Collateral. He's sociopath.

[Damian Priest]

You want to tell that Randy story?

[Cody Rhodes]

Nope. He's told stories on here before Randy.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, that's right. So you got my favorite story ever.

[Cody Rhodes]

You got Randy, you got Ria, you got me.

[Damian Priest]

It's the worst.

[Cody Rhodes]

Seamus, not gonna lie.

[Damian Priest]

This team up is. Is not my.

[Cody Rhodes]

Are you talking. This is a great team up.

[Damian Priest]

It's a great team up, but it's. It's probably without libations. Not my team up.

[Cody Rhodes]

But yeah, you need to look.

[Damian Priest]

But this is what we're going with right now. Just off the cuff. Just. I'm thinking good time. I have a good time with you. Ria is fun. This man is my homie. Seamus and I have. Well, we got stories and take the good one. I've heard of Randy stories, so we should be good.

[Cody Rhodes]

That's it that you're locking it down.

[Damian Priest]

For right now, this moment? Yes.

[Cody Rhodes]

I'm an honor.

[Damian Priest]

Ask me tomorrow, it'd be a completely different situation.

[Cody Rhodes]

Honor to be on your team. Love it. This is a hard episode to top. Hard episode to top.

[Damian Priest]

Really?

[Cody Rhodes]

Yes. Thank you. Incredible.

[Damian Priest]

So I'm doing that.

[Cody Rhodes]

I feel like there's been many that I'm like, that's perfect. Part one, we. We were good. We got one. We have to do a part two.

[Damian Priest]

There's so much that I wanted to say.

[Cody Rhodes]

I realize there's a lot to unpack and. And. And this episode, I know it's a lot of inside baseball, but guys, that's. That's what you're tuning in for.

[Damian Priest]

Exactly.

[Cody Rhodes]

We're happy with it. Cheers to you. Thank you for coming, sir.

[Damian Priest]

Well, I'll get some more absolute.