The wrestling world has a brand-new reason to celebrate as one of its most beloved couples, Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes, officially announced the arrival of their second daughter, Leilani Ella Runnels. The heartwarming news has spread quickly across social media, filling timelines with congratulatory messages from fans, friends, and fellow wrestlers. For the Rhodes family, this moment is nothing short of magical—a new chapter filled with joy, love, and the blessings of parenthood.
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A New Addition to the Rhodes Legacy
Cody Rhodes, the current face of WWE and one of the most popular professional wrestlers in the world, has never shied away from discussing how important family is to him. Alongside his wife, Brandi Rhodes, he has always balanced the bright lights of the wrestling industry with the quiet and meaningful moments of family life. With the birth of their second daughter, Leilani Ella, the Rhodes household is now a family of four, joining her older sister, Liberty Iris, who was born in June 2021.
The Rhodes name has always carried prestige in professional wrestling. As the son of the legendary “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, Cody continues to carry forward a legacy that stretches back decades. Now, with the birth of his second daughter, fans see another generation of the Runnels family stepping into the future—though still just beginning their journey.
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Brandi Rhodes Shares the Joy
Brandi Rhodes, a former professional wrestler, ring announcer, and businesswoman, took to social media to share the happy news with her followers. Known for her eloquence and warmth, Brandi expressed how grateful and blessed the family feels to welcome baby Leilani into their lives. Fans have always admired Brandi not just for her professional accomplishments but also for her openness about the challenges and joys of motherhood.
As she posted a heartfelt message along with a photo celebrating the baby’s arrival, thousands of fans immediately flooded the comments section with love, admiration, and congratulations. Wrestling isn’t just about championships and rivalries—it’s about people. And Brandi’s heartfelt words reminded everyone that behind the TV cameras, wrestlers are also parents, spouses, and dreamers.
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Wrestling Community Reacts
The wrestling world is a tight-knit family, and the birth of a child is always celebrated across locker rooms and promotions. Several WWE superstars and AEW colleagues reached out to Cody and Brandi with their best wishes. Fans quickly noticed messages of support pouring in from stars like Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, and even legends such as Dustin Rhodes—Cody’s brother—who proudly welcomed his new niece into the Rhodes family.
Social media hashtags like #CongratulationsCodyAndBrandi and #WelcomeLeilani began trending within hours of the announcement. Fan accounts dedicated to Cody Rhodes and The Rhodes Family shared artwork, collages, and emotional tributes, highlighting just how much the wrestling community feels connected to this moment. It’s a testament to how deeply fans care not just about the in-ring characters but also about the lives of their heroes outside the squared circle.
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Cody Rhodes: Balancing Wrestling and Fatherhood
For Cody Rhodes, this moment is even more emotional because of where he stands in his career. Currently one of WWE’s top superstars and fresh off one of the most important years of his professional life, Cody has proven himself not just as a performer but also as a leader. Winning championships, headlining pay-per-views, and standing tall as a face of WWE has been a demanding journey.
Yet, through all the travel and training, Cody has always put fatherhood first. Fans often see glimpses of his softer side in interviews where he discusses his daughter Liberty. Now, with Leilani’s arrival, Cody steps into an even more cherished role: being a father of two. It’s no small task to balance a global wrestling career with the responsibilities of parenthood, but Cody has always thrived when challenges are at their highest.
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The Meaning of the Name: Leilani Ella Runnels
Names often carry a deep sense of history, emotion, and personal meaning. The name Leilani is of Hawaiian origin, meaning “heavenly garland of flowers” or “royal child.” It’s a name filled with grace and beauty, perfectly suiting the daughter of one of wrestling’s most respected couples. The middle name Ella adds a touch of classic charm, while the surname Runnels ties her forever to the Rhodes wrestling dynasty.
Fans have already begun to speculate about the meaning behind the name choice, and many feel that it reflects Cody and Brandi’s desire to give their daughters strong, elegant, and meaningful identities as they grow up.
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From the Ring to Real Life: A Story Fans Love
One of the reasons Cody and Brandi’s story resonates so strongly with fans is because it feels real. Wrestling is filled with scripted rivalries and larger-than-life personas, but moments like this show the genuine love and family bond that exists beyond the storylines.
Cody, who has been cheered worldwide for his resilience, determination, and heart, is now cheered just as loudly for being a husband and father. Brandi, who stood by Cody during his rise through WWE, AEW, and back again, has now stepped into her most rewarding role yet—motherhood for the second time. Their journey, from the wrestling ring to parenthood, is one of love, sacrifice, and triumph, and it’s a story fans never get tired of following.
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Fans Celebrate Across the Globe
Within hours of the announcement, fan forums, Twitter threads, and Instagram reels were filled with celebrations of baby Leilani’s birth. Many fans created tribute videos showing highlights of Cody and Brandi’s journey together, ending with the happy news of their growing family. Some fans even jokingly suggested that Liberty and Leilani could one day team up to continue the Rhodes family legacy inside the squared circle.
Wrestling has always thrived on storytelling, and now, fans are fully invested in the real-life story of Cody and Brandi. This connection between wrestlers and their audience is what makes moments like these so special. It’s not just about matches and promos—it’s about life, love, and the moments that remind us all of what really matters.
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What’s Next for Cody Rhodes?
As Cody enjoys this precious family moment, fans naturally wonder how it might affect his wrestling schedule. WWE superstars often take short breaks to spend time with their families after major life events, and many believe Cody will balance his role as a top star with his duties as a father. Whether he takes time away from the spotlight or continues pushing forward, one thing is certain: Cody’s motivation has only grown stronger.
Every time Cody steps into the ring, he carries not just his father’s legacy but now the love of his wife and two daughters. That kind of emotional drive is something that no opponent can match.
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Conclusion: A Beautiful New Chapter
The birth of Leilani Ella Runnels is more than just a personal milestone for Cody and Brandi Rhodes—it’s a celebration for the entire wrestling community. Fans who have followed Cody’s journey from his days as Stardust to his triumphant return to WWE know how much family means to him. With Brandi by his side and now two beautiful daughters to guide into the futu
re, Cody stands tall not just as a wrestler, but as a proud husband and father.
