Earlier this month, there were speculations that Brandi Rhodes had parted ways with GFW after her active Knockouts profile was removed from the promotion’s website.
In an interview with Chuck Carroll of CSB Sports, Brandi confirms and explains her GFW departure, debuting for Ring of Honor’s Women of Honor division and missed opportunities during her time with the WWE. Highlight of the interview below.
On her GFW departure and rumors the company wanted a cut of her revenue from a non-wrestling-related television show: “Unfortunately, that story is kind of a mess. There are some valid statements that I’ve seen, but it’s really not as dramatic as people want it to be. Basically, Cody and I were very candid with what we were doing after WWE as far as contracts go. People are confused. I never signed the contract that people think I signed with Global Force stating that they got percentages. What I did sign was a tentative contract with Impact Wrestling when they were still Impact. That contract had a clause for me, because I was already working on some stuff in other areas of television. That clause basically said that if something else in television were to happen for me, they can’t be uncooperative. And if they were uncooperative, we would be able to part ways. And that is honestly what happened. So, I am filming something awesome in Atlanta, but I can’t say what it is.”
Thoughts on whether there were missed opportunities during her WWE run: “Yes, and no. I really enjoyed ring announcing and had a lot of fun with that. I had many different ways to challenge myself with that and make it fun and interesting. But when you’ve been an athlete and used to being a physical person, sometimes that takes over. And you’re kind of like, ‘Okay, when am I going to get my chance to do my thing?’ While I was announcing I was the same person I am now, who was in the gym, eating right and doing all of these things. Being physical [is] something I’ve always done. I figure skated for 17 years on a highly competitive level. So, sitting down and watching other people compete is a difficult thing for me. … I felt like there was potential for more, and I did try. People have seen some of the backstage shoots with myself and Cody doing these different characters. It would have been so much fun. Just not being able to get there got a little frustrating. Being able to do all of the stuff now, it’s so much fun and confirms for me I was able to do more, and I was ready to do more.”
On her Ring of Honor debut: “That was quite something! That was something I decided to do on my own. There’s always the comfort of being able to do something with Cody and be part of his brand, and the fun that he’s having, and ride that wave. There have been some attempts for me to do things standalone, and unfortunately they’ve all gravitated to Cody Rhodes. But Women of Honor is just Women of Honor, and there can’t be any Cody in Women of Honor. They expressed interest in me and working together. I like all of the girls so much, so I thought that would be a great way to branch out to Brandi Rhodes by herself. I know that people like the Brandi and Cody thing, which is great and fun, but it’s nice to do your own thing sometimes.”
Brandi also discusses paying tribute to her late father-in-law Dusty Rhodes.
You can read the full interview here.
What are your memories of Brandi Rhodes’ GFW run? Are you looking forward to more of her run with ROH? Do you believe there missed opportunities for Brandi during her time with the WWE? Let us know in the comments below!
