Jump to content

Brandi Rhodes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brandi Rhodes
Rhodes in 2011
Born
Brandi Alexis Reed[1]

(1983-06-23)June 23, 1983(age 41)
Canton, Michigan,U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Michigan(BA)
University of Miami(MA)
OccupationProfessional wrestler • professional wrestling ring announcer
Spouse
​
(m.2013)​
Children1
FamilyDusty Rhodes(father-in-law)
Dustin Rhodes(half-brother-in-law)
Ring name(s)Brandi[2]
Brandi Rhodes[3]
Eden[4]
Eden Stiles[4]
Billed height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[5]
Billed fromAnn Arbor, Michigan[6]
Atlanta, Georgia[7]
Canton, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan[8]
Los Angeles, California[9]
Marietta, Georgia[10]
Trained byNorman Smiley
Sara Del Rey[11]
DebutApril 2011
RetiredFebruary 2022

Brandi Alexis Runnels[12](néeReed;born June 23, 1983), known professionally asBrandi Rhodes,is an Americanring announcerand retiredprofessional wrestler.She is best known for her tenure inWWEand as the formerchief brand officerandexecutive vice president(EVP) of wrestling promotionAll Elite Wrestling(AEW), where she also performed as a wrestler.

She began her career inWWEin 2011, where she was assigned to thefarm territoryFlorida Championship Wrestling.She worked as a ring announcer under the name ofEden Stiles.During that time, she marriedCody Rhodes.After her husband left WWE in 2016, she left a few days later. During the following years, she worked as a wrestler in several promotions, most notablyImpact Wrestling,Ring of Honor,andWorld Wonder Ring Stardom.In 2019, she joined the newly created promotion All Elite Wrestling. She left AEW in February 2022, and later retired from professional wrestling.

She was also a cast member on theE!reality televisionseriesWAGS Atlanta.Prior to her wrestling career, she was afigure skaterand a televisionnews anchor.

Early life

[edit]

Brandi Alexis Reed was born and raised inCanton, Michigan,a suburb ofDetroit, Michigan,and has an older brother named Jason Reed.[13]She was a competitivefigure skaterfor 17 years, beginning at the age of four.[14]As a sophomore in college, Reed stopped ice skating competitively to focus on academics and a future broadcasting career.[15]Reed graduated from theUniversity of Michiganon a full-ride scholarship.[15]She worked as a localnews reporterfor two years before relocating toMiami,Florida,to pursue a career in modeling and acting.[4]While living in Miami, Reed completed amaster's degreeinbroadcast journalismfrom theUniversity of Miami.[13]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE (2011)

[edit]

While working as a model after completing her master's degree, Reed was invited to a WWE tryout in 2011. She signed adevelopmentalcontract withWWEin March 2011 and was assigned toFlorida Championship Wrestling(FCW). The following month, she debuted under the ring nameBrandi,accompanyingLucky Cannonat an FCWhouse show.On May 12, she began working as aring announceron weekly episodes ofSuperstars.On July 11, Reed also began announcing duties onNXT,under the ring nameEden Stiles.She filled in as the ring announcer forSmackDownon the July 15[16]and November 11 episodes.[17]Her only match took place on July 16 atFCW Summer SlamaRama,where she was involved in abattle royal,which was won bySonia.[18]In December, at her request, Reed was released from her WWE contract.[19]

Return to WWE (2013–2016)

[edit]

In November 2013, Rhodes announced onTwitterthat she would be returning to WWE.[20]Her ring name was shortened toEdenand resumed her role as a ring announcer, first appearing onNXT.In February 2014, Eden began avideo blog,which ran until January 2015 and was published on the WWE website.[21]In October 2014, Eden became the regular ring announcer and backstage interviewer forSmackDownandMain Event.[4][22]In late-March 2015, Eden made her pay-per-view ring announcing debut atWrestleMania 31,as well as becoming the backup ring announcer forRaw,whileLilian Garciawas recovering from surgery.[23][24]On May 24, 2016, Rhodes was granted her release from WWE, just days after her husbandCody Rhodesalso requested his release.[25][26]

Independent circuit (2016–2019)

[edit]

On June 3, 2016, it was announced that Rhodes would be in Cody Rhodes' corner in his match againstMike Bennettat "Wrestling Under the Stars" on August 26 inPittsfield, Massachusetts.[27]On October 10, it was announced that Rhodes will make her singles wrestling debut againstJordynne Graceat Pro Wrestling Magic, defeating her on October 15. On July 15, 2017, she defeatedTessa BlanchardatNortheast Wrestling.[28]In 2018, she wrestled for United Kingdom promotion Fight Forever Wrestling and defeatedBea PriestleyandViper.[29]Rhodes made a surprise appearance alongsideBritt BakerandNyla RoseatRise Wrestlingin 2019, coming to the aid ofKylie Rae,and setting up a match between the three atDouble or Nothing.[30]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (2016–2017)

[edit]

On September 16, 2016, it was reported by TMZ that Rhodes had signed with TNA. Three days later, TNA confirmed Rhodes' signing.[31]AtBound for Glory,Rhodes, alongside her husbandCody,made her TNA debut as aface,attackingMariaand her husbandMike Bennettto begin a feud between the two couples. Brandi made her in ring debut on the October 28 episode ofImpact Wrestlingalongside her husbandCodyagainstMariaandMike Bennettin anmixed tag team match.On February 16, Brandi andMoosedefeatedDecay(Crazzy SteveandRosemary) in a mixed tag team match. On February 23 Brandi's husband Cody returned, attackingMooseout of jealousy after finding out she had Moose's phone number. On April 6, Rhodes participated in a gauntlet match for being the number one contender to Rosemary'sKnockouts Championship,which was won byODB.Rhodes then parted ways with Impact Wrestling. Reportedly the promotion wanted a percentage from a non-wrestling related television appearance Rhodes had made, which led to her requesting her release.[32]

Ring of Honor (2017–2018)

[edit]

Rhodes made herRing of Honorin-ring debut at its July 29, 2017, television tapings at theCabarrus Arenain Concord, North Carolina. She teamed withSumie Sakaito battle Jenny Rose andMandy Leon.[33][34]She had previously briefly appeared in ROH to introduce Cody for his match againstJay Lethalat theFinal BattlePPV on December 2, 2016.[35]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2018)

[edit]

Prior to enteringWorld Wonder Ring Stardom's 2018 Cinderella Tournament, it was announced that Rhodes would be joining the Oedo Tai stable.[36]In the tournament, she defeated fellow stablemateNatsu Sumirein the first round, but lost toIo Shiraiin the quarterfinals.[37]Rhodes wrestled in three tag team matches alongside Oedo Tai stablemates, winning all three. It was later revealed that she had suffered a broken collarbone during this time.[38]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2022)

[edit]

In 2019, Rhodes became Chief Brand Officer ofAll Elite Wrestling(AEW), a new wrestling promotion co-founded by her husband.[39]AtDouble or Nothing,AEW's first pay-per-view, on May 25, 2019, Rhodes appeared during the women's triple threat match betweenBritt Baker,Nyla Rose,andKylie Raeand announced that she was addingAwesome Kongto the match, which Baker won, establishing Rhodes as a heel. Rhodes made her AEW in-ring debut atFight for the Fallenon July 13, defeatingAlliedue to interference from Kong. AtAll Out,she wrestled in theCasino Battle Royaleand was eliminated by Baker and Allie. During the following months, Rhodes and Kong began cutting off and collecting women's hair. The Nightmare Collective later gained new membersMelandLuther.AtBash at the Beach,Mel and Kong were originally scheduled to faceKris StatlanderandHikaru Shida,however Kong was not medically cleared and Rhodes would replace her in a losing effort.[40]The Nightmare Collective was badly received by fans and in February, Rhodes left the group and Kong was off TV to filmGLOW.[41]

During the following weeks, she accompanied her husband Cody to his matches, as well as the team of The Natural Nightmares Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall. She also formed a tag team called The Nightmare Sisters with Allie. On the November 18, 2020, episode ofAEW Dynamite,Jade Cargill,who interrupted Cody the previous week, attacked Brandi backstage, wrapped her arm in a chair and stomped on it whileVickie Guerreroand Nyla Rose prevented assistance.[42]On the December 9, 2020, episode ofDynamite,Brandi confronted NBA legendShaquille O'Nealduring his interview with Tony Schiavone, Shaq claimed Cargill could give Brandi pointers, leading to her throwing a glass of water on him.[43][44]She made sporadic appearances on AEW after the birth of her daughter, most recently as a tweener while verbal sparring with Dan Lambert, and getting into a physical altercation withPaige VanZant;however, before the storyline could be continued, she and Cody left AEW on February 15, 2022.[45]

Sporadic appearance in WWE (2024)

[edit]

AtWrestleMania XLNight 2 on April 7, 2024, Brandi was part of Cody's entrance for his match againstRoman Reignsfor theUndisputed WWE Universal Championship.After Cody won, she went into the ring to celebrate with him.[46]

Other media

[edit]

Rhodes has appeared in national advertisements forBudweiserandKFC,as well asMaxim.[4]Rhodes has launched her own line ofswimwearcalled "Confection Swimwear".[14]

On November 2, 2017, Rhodes joined the cast of theE!television seriesWAGS Atlanta.[47]

In 2015 atWrestleMania,Rhodes became the first African-American woman to be a ring announcer for a major American wrestling promotion. She then became the first woman of color to appear in a match atWrestle Kingdomin 2018. As AEW's Chief Branding Officer, Rhodes became the first African-American woman to hold an executive position in a major North American wrestling promotion. With AEW, she secured a partnership with KultureCity, a nonprofit that makes large-scale events inclusive for people with sensory needs.[15]

In 2021, she starred with her husbandCody Rhodeson the reality showRhodes to the Top.[48]

Personal life

[edit]
Rhodes with her husbandCodyin April 2014

Reed married professional wrestlerCody Rhodesin September 2013.[49][50]The couple have one child named Liberty together.[51][52]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Brandi Rhodes".profightdb.com.Internet Wrestling Database.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2016.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  2. ^"Brandi Rhodes".onlineworldofwrestling.com.Online World of Wrestling. Archived fromthe originalon April 26, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  3. ^"Meet Brandi Rhodes: photos".Archivedfrom the original on February 14, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 8,2017.
  4. ^abcde"Eden".WWE.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2016.RetrievedMay 18,2015.
  5. ^"Brandi Rhodes".rohwrestling.com.Ring of Honor. February 4, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon July 29, 2020.RetrievedMarch 21,2020.
  6. ^"Women of Honor: Brandi Rhodes vs Stella Grey".Ring of Honor.November 21, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2021.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  7. ^Women of Honor: Kelly Klein vs Brandi Rhodes.Ring of Honor.September 13, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2021.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  8. ^BRANDI RHODES & ALLIE VS KiLYNN KING & SKYLER MOORE | AEW DARK 6/30/20.All Elite Wrestling.July 3, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2021.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  9. ^Women of Honor: Rain vs Brandi Rhodes.Ring of Honor.December 6, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2021.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  10. ^"Women of Honor: Heather Monroe vs Brandi Rhodes".Ring of Honor.October 3, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2021.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  11. ^"A Shot of Brandi Episode 35 w/ Special Guest Peter Avalon".youtube.com.YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2021.RetrievedOctober 8,2020.
  12. ^"Jon Alba".Twitter.January 3, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 3,2019.
  13. ^abRunnels, Brandi (August 11, 2015)."Let's Talk Part 2!".Being Brandi Runnels.Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2015.RetrievedAugust 11,2015.
  14. ^ab"Confection Swimwear – Designer Swimsuits by Brandi Reed".Confection Swimwear.Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2014.RetrievedMay 28,2015.
  15. ^abc"Why Brandi Rhodes has to work harder than anyone else in wrestling".Andscape.May 23, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2022.RetrievedMay 27,2019.
  16. ^Keller, Wade(July 17, 2011)."Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 7/15".Pro Wrestling Torch.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2016.RetrievedMay 25,2016.
  17. ^Parks, Greg (November 11, 2011)."Parks' WWE SmackDown Report 11/11".Pro Wrestling Torch.Archivedfrom the original on March 3, 2016.RetrievedMay 25,2016.
  18. ^"Eden Stiles: Profile & Match Listing".The Internet Wrestling Database.Archivedfrom the original on January 15, 2018.RetrievedMay 22,2015.
  19. ^"Eden Stiles Parts Ways With WWE, Says She Dating WWE Superstar".PWMania.December 21, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on May 24, 2015.RetrievedMay 22,2015.
  20. ^Johnson, Mike (November 2, 2013)."RHODES FAMILY DIVA SET TO MAKE WWE RETURN".PWInsider.Archivedfrom the original on May 23, 2015.RetrievedMay 18,2015.
  21. ^"EDEN'S VIDEO BLOG".WWE.Archivedfrom the original on May 29, 2015.RetrievedMay 22,2015.
  22. ^"Lilian and Eden are on the move!".WWE.October 20, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2015.RetrievedMay 22,2015.
  23. ^Tees, David (March 27, 2015)."FULL MONDAY NIGHT RAW REPORT".PWInsider.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2016.RetrievedMay 18,2015.
  24. ^"Lilian Garcia undergoes knee surgery".WWE.April 17, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2018.RetrievedMay 22,2015.
  25. ^"Eden released".WWE. May 24, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2016.RetrievedMay 24,2016.
  26. ^Caldwell, James (May 24, 2016)."Eden Stiles, wife of Cody Rhodes, announces exit from WWE; Goldust addresses his status".Pro Wrestling Torch.Archivedfrom the original on May 25, 2016.RetrievedMay 25,2016.
  27. ^"Twitter".Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 8,2017.
  28. ^"NEW Wrestling Under The Stars Tour: Troy".cagematch.net.Cagematch.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  29. ^"Brandi Rhodes » Matches".cagematch.net.Cagematch.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  30. ^Thompson, Andrew (March 30, 2019)."AEW's Brandi Rhodes, Penelope Ford, Allie, Nyla Rose, Britt Baker, Kylie Rae Share Ring At RISE Show".fightful.com.Fightful.Archivedfrom the original on March 22, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  31. ^Caldwell, James (September 19, 2016)."TNA announces signing of Brandi Rhodes".Pro Wrestling Torch.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 19,2016.
  32. ^Meltzer, Dave(August 4, 2017)."Daily Update: Will Ospreay, ROH in Chicago, G1".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2017.RetrievedAugust 4,2017.
  33. ^Csonka, Larry (July 27, 2017)."Updated Lineup For This Weekend's ROH TV Tapings – Brandi Rhodes Makes WOH Debut".Archivedfrom the original on August 6, 2017.RetrievedAugust 6,2017.
  34. ^"Sumie Sakai teams with Brandi Rhodes to take on Mandy Leon and Jenny Rose at Queen City Excellence".Rohwrestling.com.July 26, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2020.RetrievedAugust 6,2017.
  35. ^Keller, Wade (December 2, 2016)."KELLER'S ROH FINAL BATTLE PPV REPORT DECEMBER 2, 2016 NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. AT HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM AIRED LIVE ON PPV".Pwtorch.com.Archivedfrom the original on July 29, 2017.RetrievedAugust 6,2017.
  36. ^Rhodes, Brandi [@TheBrandiRhodes] (April 12, 2018)."Oedo Tai, I'm coming Raising handsMedium star"(Tweet).RetrievedMarch 22,2020– viaTwitter.
  37. ^"Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2018".cagematch.net.Cagematch.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  38. ^Satin, Ryan (May 8, 2018)."Brandi Rhodes Clavicle Injury Will Require Surgery".prowrestlingsheet.com.Pro Wrestling Sheet.Archivedfrom the original on March 22, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  39. ^"Brandi Rhodes gets Chief Brand Officer position at AEW".www.wrestling-online.com. January 4, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2020.RetrievedJune 27,2020.
  40. ^"Awesome Kong Not Medically Cleared For AEW Bash At The Beach, Brandi Rhodes To Replace Her".fightful.com.Fightful. January 15, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on March 22, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  41. ^Rose, Bryan (February 10, 2020)."Brandi Rhodes speaks on leaving Nightmare Collective".f4wonline.com.Figure Four Online.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2020.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
  42. ^Thakur, Sanjay (November 20, 2020)."Jade Cargill On Working With Dustin Rhodes And QT Marshall".Pro Wrestling News Hub.Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2020.RetrievedNovember 21,2020.
  43. ^Casey, Connor (December 9, 2020)."Watch: Shaq's First Appearance on AEW Dynamite Ended Badly".Comic Book.com.Archivedfrom the original on December 10, 2020.RetrievedDecember 9,2020.
  44. ^"AEW Dynamite Results for December 9, 2020".AEW. December 9, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on December 10, 2020.RetrievedDecember 12,2020.
  45. ^"Thank you Cody and Brandi Rhodes".Twitter.com.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 16,2022.
  46. ^Russel, Skylar; Lambert, Jeremy (April 8, 2024)."Cody Rhodes Says He Was Blessed To Have Brandi Rhodes Be A Part Of His WrestleMania 40 Entrance".Fightful.Archivedfrom the original on April 8, 2024.RetrievedApril 17,2024.
  47. ^"E! Network Adds Brandi Rhodes To WAGS: Atlanta Cast, Legitimizing Pro Wrestling As A Sport".November 2, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2017.RetrievedNovember 8,2017.
  48. ^Casey, Connor (March 21, 2021)."AEW's Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes to Star in New Reality Series 'Rhodes to the Top'".ComicBook.com.Archivedfrom the original on November 28, 2022.RetrievedNovember 30,2023.
  49. ^Ocal, Arda."WWE's Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella get engaged".The Baltimore Sun.Archivedfrom the original on August 25, 2018.RetrievedDecember 2,2013.
  50. ^"Cody and Brandi Rhodes react to The Rhodes Family's reinstatement".Archivedfrom the original on October 12, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 13,2018.
  51. ^Mauch, Ally (December 16, 2020)."Pro Wrestlers Brandi and Cody Rhodes Expecting First Child Together: 'We Are Ready and Excited'".People.Archivedfrom the original on July 18, 2021.RetrievedDecember 16,2020.
  52. ^"AEW's Cody and Brandi Rhodes reveal sex of baby live on Dynamite".Digital Spy.February 18, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 18,2021.
  53. ^"CODY VS. CAGE, LAX INVASION, BWO REUNITES, RYBACK VS. CABANA, DREAMER, SONJAY AND MORE: WRESTLEPRO IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA COVERAGE".Pro Wrestling Insider.Archivedfrom the original on March 31, 2017.RetrievedMarch 31,2017.
  54. ^Big Daddy Kal (November 1, 2019)."Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 100 Female Wrestlers Results".Wrestling Travel.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 9,2019.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toBrandi Runnels.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brandi_Rhodes&oldid=1250748184"