• 

  Birthdate:

  Birthplace:

  Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

  Birthname:

  Cody Garrett Runnels

  Height:

  6 feet 2 inches

  Weight:

  220 lbs

  Debut:

  2006-06-16

  Championships Held:

  WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, WWE Intercontinental Championship (x2), WWE Tag Team Championship (x3), World Tag Team Championship (x3), ROH World Championship, ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, NWA World Heavyweight Championship

  Finisher:

  Cross Rhodes

  Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes

  Notable Allies:

  randy orton, MJF

  Notable Rivals:

  rey mysterio, seth rollins, Triple H

  Instagram:

  https://www.instagram.com/americannightmarecody/

  Eye Color:

  Blue

  Hair Color:

  Blonde

  Siblings:

  Dustin Rhodes

  Parents:

  Dusty Rhodes

While professional wrestling isn't all about the numbers, ticket sales and merchandise numbers give WWE great insight into who is popular and when the company is doing well. Few people understand and tap into this, but John Cena was able to impart it to Cody Rhodes.

Cody Rhodes Still Seeks Out Cena's Thoughts

Cena was notorious for knowing his numbers during his time on top of WWE, which is one of the reasons he maintained that level throughout his career.

Whether it was his merchandise or ticket sales, Cena would find out the information to understand it and use that to his advantage. It's one of the reasons why Cena was able to dominate the main event spots for so long, and that's something that Rhodes is attempting nowadays as well with his work ethic.

He revealed to The Pivot that he checks the numbers for himself as well now he's working at the top end of the business, and he looks to Cena for guidance and advice after that.

"I get my merch sheet still of what I sold in the Garden, percentage, all this. I'll tell you who I send it to. I don't send it to him as 'Hey, check it out.' I send it to him because I know he's going to tell me the truth. It's (John) Cena. It's never, 'Unbeliavable, great job, you're there. You've made it.' It's always, 'Well, why don't you check the other shows you're not on and see how you're doing there.' Come on, man," said Rhodes. (H/T Fightful )

Rhodes Reveals Why The Numbers Matter

Many wrestling fans don't consider finances and dates when it comes to the business. That's also the case for many wrestlers themselves, and that's what tends to separate the biggest names in the industry.

"The number one thing I learned. As a talent, we are consistently delusional. I love confidence and swagger. You have to really know, 'How many tickets are we selling? How many shirts are we moving?' The numbers, socially, are so inflated. You have to really look at 'what was the gross? What was the minute-by-minute ratings?'"

The fact that Rhodes' focus on the numbers coincides with him becoming one of the top stars in WWE is likely not a coincidence. However, the American Nightmare admits that many of his fellow wrestlers aren't doing that, which can be a frustrating situation.

"Most wrestlers, because I think they qualify themselves more as artists, it doesn't all compute. You have to have somebody look at it and break it down for you. That's the best thing that can happen because then you go, 'Okay, I have room to grow. Here is what I want to do.'"