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

Episode: Jelly Roll

Host: Cody Rhodes
Guest: Jelly Roll (Grammy-Nominated Artist)
Release Date: August 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this rich and deeply personal episode, Cody Rhodes welcomes country and hip-hop sensation Jelly Roll onto his WWE tour bus. The conversation blurs the lines between music and wrestling, with both men exploring parallels in storytelling, long journeys to success, mentorship, physical and emotional challenges, and the importance of legacy. Jelly Roll discusses his passion for wrestling, the journey from insecurity to success, and his upcoming involvement in WWE—blending fan awe with professional seriousness. The episode is characterized by mutual admiration, humor, candid advice, and appreciation for generational impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crossover of Music & Wrestling Storytelling

• Jelly Roll expresses admiration for Cody’s long-form conversations, seeing them as a departure from wrestling’s usual fast-paced media (00:45).
• Both reflect on how genuine stories in both careers require vulnerability and can’t be faked in short soundbites.

Notable Quotes:

“You can hide your depth in a 3 minute promo or a quick interview, but you can't hide the human you are over hours.”
— Jelly Roll (00:45)

“I’ve always wanted to subvert expectations on what pro wrestling maybe looks like... I want them to think of the range that we might have.”
— Cody Rhodes (01:50)

2. First Big Breaks and Paying It Forward

• Jelly Roll reminisces about his first big podcast moments (Theo Von, Flagrant, Rogan) and how those bets on him shaped his confidence (03:18).
• Cody parallels this with his “life-changing” conversation with Rey Mysterio and the unspoken mentorship that shapes careers.
• Both discuss wanting to ensure they pay their success forward.

Notable Quotes:

"I try to make it a point... that they know they bet on the right horse."
— Jelly Roll (06:11)

“Maybe I’m still selfish, right? Maybe I’m still trying to eat as much as I can. One of my favorite things... is when [my dad] would sit with me, and every time somebody came on stage that he gave a break to, he’d nudge me... he was getting high off of it.”
— Cody Rhodes (08:02, 09:20)

3. Chasing Perfection in Art & Wrestling

• Cody asks Jelly Roll about his “perfect song,” tying it to the search for a “complete” match in wrestling (10:09).
• Jelly Roll reveals personal philosophy: “A song is never finished, I just quit.”
• He highlights "Save Me" and "I'm Not Okay" as milestone tracks—connecting hope, growth, and not leaving stories unresolved (10:54).

Notable Quotes:

“A song is never finished, I just quit.”
— Jelly Roll (11:08)

“WrestleMania 39, the year I didn’t win it—everything was real... but it’s a tough answer, because we left there sad... They feel like one match to me.”
— Cody Rhodes (12:55)

4. Country Music Eras & Inspirations

• The pair bond over their mutual love for 90s country and the 1970s outlaw movement (15:03).
• Jelly Roll details the unique, rebellious spirit of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, comparing the Outlaws to legendary wrestling “factions” (17:16–21:52).
• Music as inspiration for storytelling in all genres.

5. Entering WWE: Purpose & Authenticity

• Jelly Roll sees himself as a “storyteller” in wrestling, proud to bridge mainstream media and WWE. He’s aware of “celebrity in wrestling” debates and strives to do it right—through fandom and respect, not celebrity detachment (28:25, 33:12).

Notable Quotes:

“I’m probably the most proud so far, that I’ve been able to be one of the first guys in a long time to take a wrestling storyline outside of WWE presence and really bring a segment to late night television again.”
— Jelly Roll (29:30)

“What breaks my heart is you haven’t been on a late night show in 21 years... I'm proud that I could help bring that back.”
— Jelly Roll (28:46)

6. Body Transformation & Motivation

• Jelly Roll lost 240 pounds, motivated in part by the dream of wrestling (35:15).
• His walk to the ring at SummerSlam will mark the lightest weight since the 7th grade (35:27).

Notable Quotes:

“Nothing in life I wanted more as a kid than to stand in that ring... it became a North star in my weight loss.”
— Jelly Roll (34:51) “When I walk to the ring at SummerSlam, I will be the smallest I’ve been since seventh grade.”
— Jelly Roll (35:27)

7. Wrestling’s Generational Magic

• Reflecting on childhood heroes (Hulk Hogan) and sharing the magic of wrestling with his own son (43:05, 44:03).
• Notes the generational storytelling and impact—how wrestling and music become experiences shared across families (47:39).

8. Training at the WWE Performance Center

• Jelly Roll credits coaches, staff, and NXT stars (notably “Mama Mel,” Matt Bloom, Coach Brookside, Hank & Tank, Stacks) for his progress (54:01).
• Rejects the “celebrity treatment,” wanting to “fly on the wall” and do the real work (59:46).

Notable Quotes:

“My one match has took a pork. Mama Mel... Matt Bloom has dedicated his life to me... Hank and Tank... Stacks...”
— Jelly Roll (54:01–55:35) “I want to be a fly on the wall. I don’t want people feeling like, Jelly's coming, we gotta clear the rings.”
— Jelly Roll (60:07)

9. Backstage Camaraderie and Advice

• Gratitude for acceptance backstage and receiving advice from legends (Paul Heyman, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Owens, Damien Priest, Jacob Fatu) (62:28–65:27).
• Cody discusses wrestling’s culture of mutual support and the meaning behind shaking hands (63:22).

10. Promotion, Performance, and the Art of the “Pop”

• The importance of building anticipation in wrestling matches and album releases; parallels between 'album launch mode' and 'hype before SummerSlam' (66:57–68:31).
• Mutual reverence for both small and stadium-sized crowds, with “money bumps”/“chicken skin” describing moments of emotional resonance (75:20).

Notable Quotes:

“The only people who can watch a WWE event and not enjoy it are those who won’t allow themselves.”
— Jelly Roll (71:44)

11. Personal Life, Support, and Legacy

• Jelly Roll and Cody share their identities as “wife guys,” viewing their success as family victories, not solo achievements (78:51).
• Plans to celebrate future success: Jelly Roll vows to return to the bus and take a shot of Wheatley vodka from a Grammy once he wins (83:26).

Notable Quotes:

“I might not be the first Grammy winner you have on this bus... but I'm gonna be the first one that brings the Grammy.”
— Jelly Roll (83:55)

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• On Cody’s humanity:
  “You can’t hide the human you are for hours at a time with different people sitting across from you... So you’re an awesome human, man.”
  — Jelly Roll (00:45)

• On paying it forward:
  “I want to make sure that they know they bet on the right horse.”
  — Jelly Roll (06:11)

• On the perfect song/match:
  “A song is never actually finished. I just quit. The perfect match for me is still out there.”
  — Jelly Roll (11:08)

• On celebrity in wrestling:
  “There’s nothing in life I wanted more as a kid than to stand in that ring.”
  — Jelly Roll (34:51)

• On the “money bump” and magic of stadium crowds:
  “Chicken skin, money bumps... when you get the money bumps. It’s a thing.”
  — Jelly Roll (38:23)

• On opportunities and gratitude:
  “We need one another. You're gonna pick me up, you're gonna slam me... It's not just WWE featuring. It's... we need one another.”
  — Cody Rhodes (63:22)

• On “wife guy” identity:
  “I look at my wife like my best friend. Like I want her to be with me all the time.”
  — Jelly Roll (79:15)

• On post-Grammy plans:
  “When I finish my story, I’m coming back on this bus, setting that Grammy right here— and we're gonna take a shot of Wheatley vodka out of it.”
  — Jelly Roll (83:26)

Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• [00:45] – Jelly Roll's praise for Cody's depth
• [03:18] – Jelly Roll’s first big breaks in podcasting
• [06:11] – On gratitude and “betting on the right horse”
• [10:09] – Parallel between the perfect match and the perfect song
• [15:41] – Country music eras and the outlaw movement
• [28:25] – Jelly Roll’s value as a storyteller in WWE and celebrity in wrestling
• [34:51] – Motivational story: weight loss and childhood dreams
• [43:05] – Childhood wrestling heroes and passing on the magic to his son
• [54:01] – PC training, mentorship, and listing his “village”
• [63:22] – The meaning behind wrestling’s handshake tradition
• [71:44] – On how joy in wrestling is a choice: “allow yourself to see it through the lens of a teenager”
• [83:26] – Jelly Roll’s vow to return, Grammy in hand

Takeaways for Listeners

• The episode provides deep insight into the parallels between music and wrestling in terms of storytelling, vulnerability, ambition, and legacy.
• Jelly Roll’s authenticity and humility shine, particularly in how seriously he takes his wrestling involvement—not just as a celebrity, but as a lifelong fan and eager student.
• The show emphasizes mentorship, the importance of giving back, and the value of community in both art forms.
• The personal anecdotes are heartfelt, funny, and motivating—whether about weight loss journeys, passing on tradition to the next generation, or striving for that elusive perfect performance.
• Listeners will take away a renewed appreciation for the stories and real human connection that define not just entertainment, but the pursuit of dreams.