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

Episode: Natalya (Nov 12, 2025)
Host: Cody Rhodes | Guest: Natalya Neidhart

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Cody Rhodes welcomes WWE Superstar, two-time Women’s World Champion, and newly-published author Natalya Neidhart aboard for an honest, unfiltered conversation. The duo dives deep into Natalya’s wrestling journey, growing up as a third-generation “Nepo baby,” challenges and joys of her career, her famous wrestling lineage, and the process—and revelations—of writing her memoir. Together, they reflect on authenticity, work ethic, consistency, and the legacy of wrestling family dynasties, all while sharing stories both hilarious and moving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nepo Baby Conversation and Wrestling Lineages

• On lineage pressure: Both Cody and Natalya discuss being second/third-generation wrestlers, the expectations that come with their family names, and the importance of defining themselves beyond their lineage.
  • "You have to be everything they expect already...and then you have to be so much more." – Cody Rhodes (04:03)
• Debunking Entitlement: Natalya reveals that, contrary to popular belief, her family couldn’t simply call in a favor to get her signed; she had to earn entry on her own. (05:06–06:15)
• Work Ethic: Both attribute their relentless work ethic to their mothers, not their famous wrestling fathers.
  • "My mom taught me to not take shit from anyone.” – Natalya (16:12)
  • "My work ethic comes from my mother." – Cody (20:18-21:49)

2. Writing & Releasing Her Book: 'The Last Hart Beating'

• Natalya opens up about the vulnerability and emotional processing involved in writing her memoir.
  • “This book was the most therapeutic thing I have ever done. I’m a recovering people pleaser.” – Natalya (06:32)
• Becky Lynch’s advice played a crucial role in her process:
  • “Becky Lynch actually gave me some of the best advice. She said, just pour your heart out, spill your guts, and then just sleep on it…” – Natalya (07:38)
• Natalya highlights that her story isn’t one of privilege, but resilience and independence.

3. Consistency, Authenticity, and People Pleasing

• Both discuss the ongoing personal journey to be themselves, resist people-pleasing, and embrace their unique paths—even experimenting with personas/attitudes before circling back to their authentic selves.
  • “Tried to do a mean version of me...didn’t click.” – Cody (09:14)
  • "I was able to just push through so much, and I'm so grateful for that." – Natalya (06:15)

4. The Ups and Downs of a Wrestling Family

• The realities of having famous wrestling parents/grandparents—financial booms and busts, instability, hard work from the ground up.
  • “People think you grew up in this big wrestling family, but when the business wasn't good, it's kind of feast or famine.” – Natalya (13:11)
  • “When I was 17, the power went out...we hadn't paid the bill." – Cody (14:44)
• Early wrestling earnings and sacrifices:
  • “My first contract was for $24,000 a year.” – Natalya (23:27)

5. Bloodsport, the 'Low Key Legend,' and Taking Creative Risks

• Natalya details how writing her book led her to create the “Low Key Legend” character, embracing her authentic self and stepping out from safety and compliance.
  • “About halfway through the book, I was like, I had this epiphany that I needed to just, like, take a chance on myself.” – Natalya (27:46)
  • “The Low Key Legend character, it came from the book…Do I want to spend the rest of my career trying to be what everyone wants, or be who I really am?” (28:51)
• Her forays into non-WWE indie promotions (Bloodsport, NWA, etc.), proving herself against the best outside talent, and winning respect in and outside WWE.
  • “I did it over and over...because I, like you, took a chance on myself.” – Natalya (34:07)
• Cody congratulates her for reframing and taking charge:
  • “What a way to take the news feed…hats off to you. It was special.” – Cody (26:42)

6. The (New) Dungeon and Training Tomorrow’s Talent

• Natalya and her husband TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) run a training “dungeon” reminiscent of her grandfather Stu Hart’s—a tough, no-frills, invite-only environment focused on work ethic, passion, and etiquette.
  • "You gotta know somebody that knows somebody that can get them in.” – Natalya (42:40)
• Cody sent his nephews, Dylan and Dalton, to train with Natalya and TJ, highlighting the importance of exposing new talent to different wrestling traditions.
• Natalya and Cody agree that etiquette and attitude are the foundation for any aspiring wrestler.
  • “If they didn’t work hard, we wouldn’t give a shit about the greeting card afterwards—they gotta work hard.” – Natalya (48:56)

7. TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) & the Women's Division

• Natalya praises TJ's pivotal (and often unsung) role in developing the current women’s division, his behind-the-scenes mentorship style, and advocacy for women wrestlers.
  • “He always finds a way to help every woman shine…and there’s a level of trust there.” – Natalya (51:18)

8. Giving Back: Supporting Brody and Nolan

• They discuss caring for Brody and Nolan (sons of the late Jon Huber/Luke Harper), fostering a supportive community for them.
  • “Brody, you’re like his North Star…he earned his spot [in the dungeon].” – Natalya (52:18, 52:52)
  • “What worried me was what happens the next day [after Jon’s death]…he found a good spot with you guys.” – Cody (53:54)

9. Reflections on Aging, Mentoring, and Career Joy

• Natalya finds herself embracing getting older, feeling more fulfilled and happy with her locker room relationships and career progress than ever before.
  • “The older I get, the more I feel…the happier I am.” – Natalya (49:59)
• She emphasizes uplifting younger or less established talent, citing recent matches with Ivy Nile and others (50:49–51:05).

10. Fun Moments: Luxury, High Fashion & The Dream Team

• Lighthearted talk on their “bougie” tastes (Louis Vuitton, designer shoes), the thrill of “treating yourself” after years of hard work, and what luxuries mean in wrestling culture. (11:04–12:36)
• Natalya’s “American Dream Team” for a (hypothetical) War Games/Zombie Apocalypse:
  • Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, Bianca Belair, Beth Phoenix ("If I was going to be stranded on a desert island, I would have her on my team." – Natalya, 56:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Work Ethic & Family:
  • “My mom taught me to not take shit from anyone.” – Natalya (16:12)
  • “My work ethic comes from my mother. I didn’t get it from Dream.” – Cody (21:49)
• On Authenticity:
  • "If you keep doing the same things you’ve always done, you’re gonna get the same result. If I want a different result, I’ve gotta dive into something else.” – Natalya (34:34)
  • "Nothing scares me anymore, except maybe Brock Lesnar." – Cody (38:23)
• On Taking a Chance:
  • “Sometimes, the only green light you need is the faintest color of green.” – Cody (37:18)
• On Supporting Others:
  • “Cody’s like the busiest guy in the whole company…but he’s making time for people…” – Natalya (53:10)
• On The Dungeon:
  • “You gotta know somebody that knows somebody that can get them in.” – Natalya (42:40)
  • “Our dungeon is meant to be very hard. It’s not fancy…I don’t want it fancy.” – Natalya (43:13)
• On Mentorship & Community:
  • “We’re not gonna have kids, but Brody and Nolan are gonna be like our step kids or our surrogate kids.” – Natalya (54:50)

Notable Timestamps

• [04:03] – Cody explains the dual pressures of wrestling lineage
• [06:32] – Natalya on writing and the realization that she’s a people pleaser
• [08:21] – Cody on Natty’s reputation for readiness, reliability, and heart
• [13:11–15:26] – Booms, busts, and financial realities of wrestling families
• [23:27] – Natalya reveals her entry-level WWE salary ($24,000/year)
• [27:46–28:51] – The “Low Key Legend” origin story and betting on herself
• [34:40–36:03] – Battling (and winning) through injury for the fans and herself
• [42:12–48:55] – The modern Dungeon, Cody’s nephews, and the emphasis on etiquette and work
• [51:18] – Natalya on TJ’s role in the women’s division
• [52:18–54:19] – Brody, Nolan, and the importance of wrestling community
• [56:00–57:08] – Natalya’s American Dream Team picks

Episode Tone and Takeaways

The episode, blending warmth and humor with candor, celebrates perseverance, individuality, and the hard work behind wrestling’s bright lights. Rhodes and Neidhart, both wrestling royalty in their own right, break down the myth of inherited success, share how adversity shaped their journeys, and champion the power of family, mentorship, and community in—and outside—the ring.

Purchase Natalya’s book, The Last Hart Beating, for more behind-the-scenes stories and life lessons from one of wrestling’s most enduring superstars!

(Summary excludes commercial breaks and non-content as requested.)