WWE's New Top Merch Seller Is...
WWE's merchandise numbers are currently topped by THIS wrestler.
With WWE currently doing big business in a whole multitude of ways, one topic regularly discussed lately is how much merchandise the company is selling. More specifically, that conversation often revolves around which performer is selling the most merch.
On that front, Sean Ross Sapp over at Fightful Select notes how, despite other rumblings on social media, Cody Rhodes is very much WWE's top merch mover these days.
This report adds how the American Nightmare has been at the top of this list "consistently" and "for quite a while". Obviously, WWE has Premium Live Event-themed merchandise at times, and also generic WWE-branded items at live events, but outside of these occasions, Cody Rhodes is "almost always" at the top of the mountain when it comes to merchandise sold.
For those wondering, a quick glance at Rhodes' WWE Shop page shows a mammoth 326 Cody-based items on sale, while WWE Euroshop has 129 items for the current WWE Undisputed Champion. Of course, amongst those goodies are commemorative plaques, title side plates, and the like, but there's also a whole host of different t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, weight belts, and even babygrows.
Another Indicator Of Cody Rhodes' Success
Having returned to WWE in 2022 at WrestleMania 38, Cody Rhodes has become one of - some would say the - biggest names in the wrestling industry.
By whatever metric you measure it, Cody's return has been a huge success for all involved. This is somebody who has headlined back-to-back WrestleManias, won back-to-back Royal Rumbles, became the clear successor to John Cena in regards to public appearances and charity work, and who obviously has been delivering at an extremely high level when it comes to in-ring action - presently reigning for over 200 days with SmackDown's top men's prize.
Prior to that, Cody Rhodes had been with WWE from 2006 to 2016, coming up through the promotion's Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental system before landing on the main roster. While that was a solid run that included spells as the Intercontinental Champion and a Tag Team Champion, the Cody Rhodes of today is clearly night and day when compared to that initial ten years with WWE.
Rhodes famously opted to bet on himself in 2016, requesting - and being granted - his release from WWE due to creative frustrations. Once away from the market leader, Cody went about reinventing himself on the independent scene and for companies such as Ring of Honor, IMPACT Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which in turn led to Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and Matt and Nick Jackson joining forces to create All Elite Wrestling.
At the time, many questioned Cody Rhodes' decision to depart AEW in 2022, but few can argue how much of a bigger star the 39-year-old has become since making his WWE return - and constantly being at the top of WWE's merchandise movers is certainly another indicator of Rhodes' stature in the business these days.
In terms of the current WWE product, Cody Rhodes is in the midst of a heated rivalry with Kevin Owens - a rivalry that's also involved Randy Orton - although some fans have speculated that Cody could again end up back in the Bloodline saga as Roman Reigns, Jey and Jimmy Uso, and Sami Zayn search for a fifth man to battle Solo Sikoa's Bloodline at Survivor Series later this month.