Entertainment · Celebrity · 2 hrs ago
Cody Rhodes Says The Rock Taught Him to Focus on Storytelling
Cody Rhodes said he learned a lesson about acting from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson during a conversation about wrestling and Hollywood.
Johnson told him he dislikes hearing wrestlers say they do not want to act.
He sees wrestling and acting as forms of storytelling and believes wrestlers should talk about wanting to grow as storytellers.
Johnson advised Rhodes to describe his goal that way, rather than framing wrestling and acting as separate paths.
Rhodes later used that advice in a meeting with studio executives in Los Angeles.
Rhodes has also moved further into Hollywood, appearing as Guile in a “Street Fighter” film adaptation.
The exchange shows how Rhodes sees storytelling as a skill that connects his wrestling work with acting.
Cody Rhodes said Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson taught him to describe his ambitions in terms of becoming a better storyteller.
Johnson’s advice was that wrestling and acting both involve storytelling.
Rhodes said he later repeated the lesson during a meeting with studio executives in Los Angeles.
He said the idea fit wrestling because storytelling is part of what wrestlers do.
Rhodes has also appeared as Guile in the Street Fighter film adaptation.
- Who
- Cody Rhodes and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
- What
- Rhodes said Johnson encouraged him to focus on growing as a storyteller rather than defining himself only as a wrestler or actor.
- When
- Rhodes discussed the advice in an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet; the interview date is not stated.
- Where
- Johnson gave Rhodes the advice in an unspecified setting. Rhodes later repeated it at a meeting with studio executives in Los Angeles.
- Why
- Johnson’s point was that wrestling is storytelling, and Rhodes said the lesson suited wrestling.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leaned into criticism of his Hollywood career by creating his “Hollywood Rock” persona.
Johnson told Rhodes he wished wrestlers would say they wanted to grow as storytellers.
Rhodes repeated Johnson’s advice at a general meeting with studio executives in Los Angeles.
- Advice
- Focus on growing as a storyteller
- Source of advice
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
- Rhodes interview
- Insight with Chris Van Vliet
- Meeting location
- Los Angeles
- Film role
- Guile in the Street Fighter film adaptation
What people are saying
One time, Rock told me he doesn't like when wrestlers would say, 'Oh, I don't want to be an actor, I always want to be a wrestler.'
The lesson for me was: I want to grow as a storyteller.
What I wish people would say is that they just want to grow as a storyteller.