Life has been full of surprises for Cody Rhodes and his wife, Brandi, but this week brought one of the sweetest yet.
The WWE power couple just welcomed their second child, a baby girl, into the world—and fans couldn’t be happier for them.
Meet Baby Leilani
The pair, who tied the knot back in 2016, announced on Friday that their daughter, Leilani Ella Runnels, had officially arrived.
She joins her big sister, Liberty, who is now 4 years old.
Brandi shared the joyful news with a tender photo of her holding her newborn’s tiny hand. Alongside it, she wrote:
“Welcome to the world Leilani Ella Runnels.
We are in love. Thank you God for answered prayers. Cody + Brandi + Libby + Lani.”
Fans Caught Off Guard
What made the announcement even more exciting was the fact that many didn’t even know Brandi was pregnant.
The news took fans by surprise, sparking a wave of congratulatory messages across social media.
WWE stars and friends of the couple also joined in to celebrate, including Natalya, Zelina Vega, Randy Orton’s wife Kim, and even former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia.
Brandi’s Next Chapter
Brandi has stepped away from in-ring competition since her 2022 retirement, but she hasn’t left wrestling behind entirely.
She currently works as a WWE ring announcer after previously holding a high-profile role as chief brand officer and EVP at rival promotion AEW.
Cody Balances Fatherhood and Hollywood
While celebrating fatherhood again, Cody Rhodes is also keeping busy in an entirely different arena—Hollywood.
The 40-year-old is currently in Australia filming the highly anticipated live-action Street Fighter reboot, where he’s taking on the role of Guile.
Guile is one of the franchise’s most iconic characters, recognizable by his flat-top blonde haircut, tattoo, and military look.
The role was last played by Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1994 film, but fans are already saying Cody looks like a natural fit.
Star-Studded Cast in the Works
Rhodes isn’t the only wrestler involved in the project. Roman Reigns has been cast as Akuma, while Hirooki Goto will take on the role of E. Honda.
The movie’s wider cast is stacked with big names too, including Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo, and rapper-actor Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
A Year of Milestones
Between becoming a father of two and stepping into a blockbuster movie role, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Cody Rhodes.
For now, though, it’s safe to say the proud dad will be cherishing every moment with little Leilani while still preparing for his biggest role yet—on the big screen.
