The American Nightmare’s next act is already polarizing the locker room

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before. A top-tier professional wrestler stands on the mountaintop, holding the biggest strap in the business, and decides their next move belongs on a movie set. Cody Rhodes recently dropped the admission that moving into Hollywood is a 'definite natural extension' of his WWE work. Naturally, the internet has collectively lost its mind.

We are currently sitting on May 29, 2026, and the discourse over on the subreddits is a absolute war zone. Some fans are acting like Cody is packing his bags for the red carpet tomorrow, while others are convinced he’s just leveraging his brand for more mainstream clout. As reported by WrestlingNews.co, the talk about a film career is gaining steam, and the heat is intense.

The believers and the cynics are at each other's throats

The optimists look at Cody’s aesthetic and ability to cut a promo that makes grown men cry and think it’s a perfect fit for a blockbuster action flick. They point to his work as the face of the company as proof that he understands how to play to the cheap seats—and the camera. If he can sell a Cross Rhodes to a main event opponent, he can certainly sell a lead role in some mid-budget procedural, right?

Then you have the absolute purists. These folks are convinced that wrestling needs to be the only focus for a world champion. "Does he even have time for acting scripts when he’s got a division to hold down?" one user fired off in a heated thread. The fear here is the classic part-time champion dilemma. Nobody wants to see their champion miss house shows because he’s stuck in a trailer on a backlot somewhere in Georgia.

My take: The Rock shadow is long, but Cody handles it differently

Look, I get why people are skeptical. We’ve seen the 'wrestler to actor' pipeline turn into a highway for guys who eventually stop showing up on Monday nights. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth when your favorite performer becomes a stranger who pops in via satellite to hype a movie nobody wanted to see. Fans aren't just reacting to Cody; they are reacting to the trauma of every wrestling legend who prioritized craft services over canvas.

However, the skepticism misses one key detail. Cody has spent years meticulously crafting this specific presentation—the suit, the hair, the absolute discipline. If he treats a movie role the same way he treats his entrance, he’s going to put the work in. The real issue isn't whether he can act; it’s whether the WWE schedule allows for a human to do both without crumbling under the load. It’s a 365-day commitment to look that polished.

The most valid criticism I’ve seen floating around isn't about the acting ability, but the pacing. If you look at his recent booking, he is red hot. Inserting a Hollywood narrative into an already stacked main event circuit feels like a creative risk that might derail his momentum. Nobody likes a story that suddenly stops because the protagonist is busy filming a cameo in a superhero sequel.

The bottom line

My money is on this being a slow burn. Unlike some of his predecessors who jumped ship the second they got a callback, Cody seems far too invested in the legacy of the Rhodes name. If he does go to Hollywood, it will be in the off-season or during a period where he isn’t holding the title. He’s too smart to torch his credibility for a mediocre IMDB credit.

Let’s be honest, though: the first time he shows up to a PLE with a weird buzz-cut required for a role, the internet will burn for a week. That’s just the nature of the beast. Whether you love him or think it’s a desperate grab for attention, everyone is tuned in to see the next move. It’s the ultimate paradox for a guy who built his career on being the most accessible wrestler in the world.

We are just waiting to see if he can pull off the transition without letting his in-ring quality slip even an inch. If he hits a ceiling in the ratings or has a dud match, the “Hollywood distraction” comments will be the first thing people scream. It’s a high-wire act, but if anyone has the vanity and the drive to pull it off, it’s the guy who literally wears a crown on his trunks. Let’s see how it plays out once the cameras actually start rolling.