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

Guest: Nikki Bella
Host: Cody Rhodes (WWE x Fanatics Podcasts)
Episode Date: July 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Cody Rhodes welcomes WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella aboard his bus for a wide-ranging conversation. The chemistry is electric as the two reflect on their shared wrestling past, Nikki’s evolution as a performer, entrepreneur, and mother, and their takes on legacy, parenting, women's wrestling, and the industry’s quirks. The dynamic discussion oscillates between humorous road stories, heartfelt moments, and thoughtful advice for aspiring wrestlers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Wrestling Memories: WrestleMania, “The Walk of Shame,” and Behind-the-Scenes Heartbreak

Timestamps: 00:19 – 06:12

• The episode opens with Cody asking Nikki about a backstage WrestleMania photo, referencing a planned match with himself, Nikki, Brie, and Damien Sandow that was cut last-minute.
• Nikki reminisces:

  "That was the worst walk of shame I've ever done in my life." (03:06, Nikki Bella)

• Cody discusses the emotional toll:

  "At that point...that's the first moment where I was like, I'm out. I am out. Out. Didn't come till years later, but I thought, no, I'm out." (03:22, Cody Rhodes)

• The group describes that era’s unpredictability, silliness (like Nikki’s finger getting stuck in Cody’s mustache), and fashion choices (“top hats, poetizing Kane”).
• Both stress how these challenging moments tested their resilience:

  "Maybe there's this fearlessness that comes from maybe you can survive. Listen, you got through that, got cut in Guerrilla." (06:27, Cody Rhodes)

2. Nepo Babies, Family Legacy, and the Grind

Timestamps: 07:11 – 09:36

• Playful banter about the show's bartender being a “Nepo baby.”
• Cody reflects on wrestling dynasties and the balance between opportunity and earning respect.
• Nikki relates with her own family’s immigrant-to-entrepreneur story and lessons of “earning it.”

3. Life After the Ring: Parenting, Wine, and Hosting

Timestamps: 14:44 – 19:16

• Nikki shares her journey into motherhood and entrepreneurship:

  "Nothing compares to unconditional love...I will sacrifice life for this little human being." (15:11, Nikki Bella)

• Discusses launching a wine company with Brie and shifting into mainstream TV as a host and judge.
• Cites Blake Shelton and Carson Daly as standouts she’s worked with:

  "Now I understand, like, why this guy just made The Voice so big...he's someone who...this is all of it." (16:27, Nikki Bella)

4. Pro Wrestlers as Crisis Experts, and “Gorilla” Nerves

Timestamps: 19:13 – 21:19

• Both agree wrestlers thrive in chaotic live environments:

  "Pro wrestlers are the best crisis people. There is no such thing as, like, oh the camera broke. Great, we'll keep going." (19:13, Cody Rhodes)

• Discussion of the unique pressure when “gorilla” position is packed with execs—worse than performing in front of thousands.

5. Parenting Philosophies & Parent-Child Bonds

Timestamps: 21:44 – 26:46

• Nikki and Cody swap stories on how parenting changes everything:

  "So needy baby meets needy mom...We work together. We're like koala bears." (23:10, Nikki Bella)

• Nikki is intentional about balancing attachment and resilience in her son.
• Cody reflects on his father’s different approaches to him vs. his sisters, cherishing being called "papa" by his daughter.

6. Twins Dynamic: Brie Bella as Protector and “Brie Mode”

Timestamps: 27:25 – 34:43

• Nikki and Brie’s 16-minute birth difference and how contrasting personalities emerged.
• “Brie Mode” explained:

  "She hits a certain point of intoxication...and then she looks at you and you're like, we're about to be in brie mode...majority of the time it's really fun and playful." (28:41, Nikki Bella)

• Nikki credits Brie as her “rock” and main protector:

  "I've always felt the need to protect her. But what I realized is my need to protect hers in present moments, but Bri protects me overall." (34:10, Nikki Bella)

7. Wrestling Humor, Relationships, and Life’s Awkward Moments

Timestamps: 35:03 – 40:07

• Anecdotes about Bryan Danielson (Brie’s husband) and his love of humor involving “boner jokes”—leading to laughter about personal quirks and backstage culture.
• Cody discusses what makes Brandy laugh (slapstick and falls), and Nikki shares how she and Brie appreciate similarly “low-brow” humor.

8. Women’s Wrestling: The Divas Legacy, Modern Era, and Empowerment

Timestamps: 53:16 – 56:11

• Nikki passionately defends the Divas era:

  "The greatest thing about being a woman is we hold a lot of power...That's what I always looked at as the Divas is they had it all. They had empowerment, they had inspiration...and then they had beauty, and they used that as their strength." (53:36, Nikki Bella)

• Reflects on the struggle for opportunities then, the stigma of the “Diva” label, and pride in how the era pushed boundaries and laid groundwork for today’s Women’s Division.
• Cody echoes the necessity of both worlds coming together—athleticism and character—then and now.

9. Training and the Dungeon 2.0

Timestamps: 59:07 – 66:31

• Nikki describes her return to training at Dungeon 2.0 with Natty & TJ, lauding TJ’s “wrestling encyclopedia” brain and Natty’s leadership and coaching:

  "TJ has the smartest brain in the wrestling industry...Natty and I are like sisters...how you control the room. It's special." (59:12 & 59:49, Nikki Bella)

• Cody shares how Dusty Rhodes considered TJ his “number one” NXT kid and encourages “Nepo babies” to broaden their training.

10. Advice for Aspiring Women Wrestlers

Timestamps: 66:58 – 68:09

• Nikki’s advice:

  "Never take no for an answer. I never did...Turn every negative into a positive. And...know your character...be a standout." (67:14, Nikki Bella)

• Cody and Nikki stress you need both technical craft (“moves”) and storytelling/character.

11. Fun, Flirtation, and the Human Side

Timestamps: 44:22 – 47:37

• Nikki opens up about post-divorce life—dating, not wanting anything serious for years, what she’d want in a partner ("businessman with swag").
• Playful mutual compliments about aging, body image, and keeping romance alive:

  "You've gotten so masculine...it's good to see a little age on you. It makes you very handsome and rugged." (46:11, Nikki Bella)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“So needy baby meets needy mom...We work together. We are, like...koala bears. That's us, fully.”
— Nikki Bella, 23:10

"Pro wrestlers are the best crisis people...there's no tantrum, there's no...Pro wrestlers are really...the best."
— Cody Rhodes, 19:13

“Nothing compares to unconditional love...I will sacrifice life for this little human being.”
— Nikki Bella, 15:11

"The greatest thing about being a woman is we hold a lot of power...And that's what I always looked at as the Divas is they had it all. They had empowerment, they had inspiration..."
— Nikki Bella, 53:36

"Never take no for an answer. I never did. And I heard it a lot, and look where it got me."
— Nikki Bella, 67:14

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:19 – 06:12: Memories of WrestleMania match cut, emotional walk of shame
• 07:11 – 09:36: Nepotism, family legacy, and "earning it"
• 14:44 – 19:16: Parenting, entrepreneurship, transition to TV hosting
• 19:13 – 21:19: Life backstage, pro wrestlers as live crisis-managers
• 21:44 – 26:46: Parenting philosophies, adorable family stories
• 27:25 – 34:43: Twin dynamic with Brie, "Brie Mode" explained
• 35:03 – 40:07: Locker room humor, falling down stories, and relationship quirks
• 53:16 – 56:11: Divas' legacy versus modern women's wrestling
• 59:07 – 66:31: Training at Dungeon 2.0; Natty and TJ appreciation
• 66:58 – 68:09: Advice to aspiring women wrestlers: resilience, character, and craft

Episode Tone

The episode is relaxed, unfiltered, and equal parts hilarious and heartfelt—mirroring the camaraderie of lifelong friends swapping stories backstage. Nikki’s warmth, honesty, and pride in her journey—and that of her peers—shines, while Cody’s self-deprecating humor and deep attachment to wrestling’s traditions and people give the conversation an intimate “family” feel.

In Closing

Cody and Nikki’s conversation offers both nostalgia and motivation. They honor the struggle and spirit of the “Divas” era, celebrate the current women’s division, share parenting wisdom, and give rare glimpses into the real lives (and quirks) of wrestling’s most recognizable faces.

Memorable Sign-off:
“Sexy, smart, and powerful—it’s not just the divas anymore, guys!”
— Cody Rhodes and Nikki Bella, (73:24–73:28)