Cody Rhodes Names WWE's Future Stars Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Aug 10, 2025 8:00 AM ET

Ahead of this year's SummerSlam, WWE superstar Cody Rhodes joined "The Bill Simmons Podcast" to discuss the company’s next generation of talent, pointing to a mix of established names and up-and-coming prospects.

When host Bill Simmons asked Rhodes about who's next to lead the WWE and praised Rhea Ripley, Rhodes agreed with his view, noting her star power and highlighting a growing trend of more women entering wrestling training than men.

"I think Rhea Ripley is incredible," Simmons said, to which Rhodes simply said, "Unreal, huh?"

Rhodes also singled out Dominik Mysterio as a talent with rare potential.

“Dominik Mysterio will end up becoming a massive star; he already is,” Rhodes said. "He has a connection with the audience, and the work is coming. It's kind of reverse."

NXT Pipeline Producing WWE-Ready Talent

Rhodes credited Mysterio’s strong connection with the fans and the invaluable experience he’s gaining by already working alongside top-tier WWE talent, including his father, Rey Mysterio.

“When you’re around people like that, you learn things that no one can teach you,” Rhodes said.

Shortly after discussing Dominik, Rhodes emphasized that WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, continues to produce talent capable of stepping up to the main roster on a steady basis.

Among those cited were Oba, Ricky Starks, and Ethan Page.

“Oba’s really special. Ricky Starks, Ethan Page,...” Rhodes said. “If you meet Ethan Page, he could be 50 or he could be 25. He’s got a really unbelievable skill set.”

The undisputed WWE Champion also praised the company’s current depth, stressing that the roster is well-prepared for unexpected changes.

“That’s what I like the most about WWE currently — if someone was to move or go, we’ve got people ready. We’ve got people ready,” Rhodes said.

Why Cody Rhodes’ Picks Matter for WWE’s Future

By publicly identifying names like Mysterio, Oba, Starks, and Page, Rhodes spotlighted a mixture of already-built performers and up-and-comers that could see their reach boosted by Rhodes' endorsement.

Those who are yet to make steady WWE appearances could anchor the promotion at some point, although Rhodes acknowledged it might take time and years for them to get there.

Perhaps most importantly for WWE, however, Rhodes' comments on NXT and its role as a vital development pipeline would certainly please WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque, who got promoted to the role in September 2022.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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