WWE Reigning Champ Cody Rhodes and Former Pro Wrestler Brandi Rhodes Welcome Second Daughter
Cody and Brandi Rhodes managed to keep the pregnancy under wraps until Friday's surprise public announcement.
Reigning WWE champion Cody Rhodes is no stranger to surprise entrances — and it seems his new daughter is following suit.
Cody and his wife Brandi Rhodes, a former pro wrestler herself, surprised fans Friday by announcing that they’d welcomed a new bundle of joy, adding to the American Nightmare’s family.
“Welcome to the world Leilani Ella Runnels," Brandi wrote on X, along with a photo of her clutching her new daughter’s tiny hand. "We are in love. Thank you God for answered prayers."
She then included the names of all the members of her nuclear family, writing "Cody + Brandi + Libby + Lani" and adding an equals sign and heart emoji.
Cody and Brandi — who first met in the WWE while she was a ring announcer, and are also parents to daughter Liberty, 4 — managed to keep her second pregnancy under wraps, never publicly announcing they were adding to their family.
Brandi Rhodes has spoken about past pregnancy complications
While the family has not addressed why they kept the latest pregnancy a surprise, Brandi has been open about complications with her fertility journey in the past.
She told SELF in 2021 that her polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis, and a large ovarian cyst, complicated her prior pregnancy.
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Cody and Brandi Rhodes’ relationship history
After meeting through the WWE, Cody and Brandi tied the knot in 2013. Three years later, they left the WWE and later helped launch the AEW as a wrestling power couple, according to Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown. While Cody served as the organization's executive vice president, Brandi was named the chief branding officer. Both also regularly performed during their time with the AEW.
Cody made his surprise return to the WWE in 2022 during WrestleMania 38 and has gone on to become one if its top stars, earning the world title for the first time last year.
It’s unclear when Cody will return to the ring, but fans are likely hoping to see the wrestling power house return at the Wrestlepalooza show on September 20 in Indianapolis.
Cody Rhodes' most recent WWE appearance
Cody was last seen on the WWE during the August 8 SmackDown, where he teamed up with John Cena to face off with Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul, according to the Bleacher Report.
Cody and Cena took the win in the action-packed match after Paul was disqualified for a low blow to Cena, but the victory led to some painful consequences for Cody, who was hit with a Claymore through the announcer’s table after the match by a furious McIntyre.
