A top WWE superstar has revealed the unique provision in his contract that he managed to negotiate.
Only a small number of wrestlers have been able to negotiate special perks into their contracts, such as Hulk Hogan, whose 1998 contract with WCW included creative control, 50 percent of merchandise sales, and significant revenue from pay-per-views and house shows.
Pro wrestlers don’t have the same behind-the-scenes appeal that they did in the ’90s and early 2000s, when major names like Hogan, Kevin Nash, Triple H, The Rock, Undertaker and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin got plenty of input.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has signed a sponsorship deal with Wheatley American Vodka. During a conversation with Diamond Dallas Page on Rhodes’What do you want to talk about?“Podcast (h/t fightful.com), American Nightmare stated that they successfully negotiated a rare clause in their deal with Wheatley:
“I recently signed a contract, it’s nothing big or life-changing,” Rhodes said. “Our friends at Wheatley are really our friends at Wheatley. I did this contract recently and in the end, I just wanted to select a legend for the TVC part. I wanted to be able to put someone from our Hall of Fame group over one of our legends. I’ve realized that my only answer is why it’s the right thing to do.”
Last month, WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan shared some behind-the-scenes photos of the vodka commercial he filmed with Rhodes:
Some more pictures from @codyroads‘Vodka ad we shot in Florida! pic.twitter.com/Tx0rgbTgbs
– Hacksaw Jim Duggan (@RealHacksawJim) 8 May 2026
Cody Rhodes has crossed the 100-day mark as WWE Champion
Cody Rhodes is making an appearance on the June 12, 2026, episode of ‘SmackDown’.
Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to become the new WWE Champion on the March 6 episode of SmackDown. The American Nightmare successfully defended his title against former Legacy ally Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.
This week, Rhodes 100 day milestone reached As WWE Champion. His first reign lasted for 378 days (April 7, 2024 to April 21, 2025), while the second ended for 159 days (August 3, 2025 to January 9, 2026).
