• Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso say WWE’s sharp cutback to house shows hurts repetitions, camaraderie and development for NXT talent.
  • Rhodes suggested adding at least one monthly live-event loop to keep wrestlers sharp and connected to the company.
  • WWE’s ownership under TKO reduced marginally profitable live events; only one “Road to WrestleMania” house show is scheduled before WrestleMania.
  • Rhodes and Uso discussed the issue on Rhodes’ podcast and pointed to benefits fans and talent gain from live shows.

Why Rhodes and Uso want more house shows

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso raised concerns about WWE’s reduced house show schedule on Rhodes’ podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About? (YouTube link below). They argued that fewer live events mean fewer chances for reps, less locker-room bonding and fewer opportunities for NXT and younger talent to gain experience.

“It’s hard to think you work somewhere if you’re only there a couple days a week,” Rhodes said, asking WWE leadership to consider a monthly live-event loop. Uso added, “I do miss wrestling every night, though,” stressing the personal and developmental value of regular shows.

Embedded post (podcast episode): https://youtu.be/FTlqV8YOClM?si=w6kP9mOTfVUnt-BU

How WWE’s strategy changed

After WWE’s 2023 merger into TKO Group Holdings, the company shifted away from running many house shows. TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro told investors the business doesn’t need to “carry these marginally profitable events,” prioritizing other brand-building avenues like commercials and media appearances.

Rhodes and Uso acknowledged those opportunities but said they shouldn’t entirely replace the unique benefits of live events—both for performers and for fans who get a more intimate show than TV allows.

Real-world examples proponents cited

Rhodes noted that WWE’s holiday loop gave him and Drew McIntyre vital rehearsal time that helped refine spots used later on SmackDown. He also pointed to viral moments from recent house shows—like an exchange between Xavier Woods and an elderly fan—that highlight the audience connection you only get in person.

WWE’s lone pre-WrestleMania house show is the “Road to WrestleMania” event on Feb. 14 in Lubbock, Texas. Ticket tracker WrestleTix reported more than 8,000 tickets distributed for the United Supermarkets Arena setup that holds just under 10,000.

What could change

Rhodes urged adding at least one monthly loop of live events. That suggestion aims to strike a balance: keep newer promotional avenues while restoring enough house shows to preserve in-ring skills, build locker-room chemistry and give NXT stars a clearer path to mainstream stages.

Whether WWE leadership will reverse course remains to be seen. For now, Rhodes and Uso’s comments have sparked renewed debate among talent and fans about the role of house shows in a modern wrestling company.

Social

Rhodes’ conversation with Uso: https://youtu.be/FTlqV8YOClM?si=w6kP9mOTfVUnt-BU
Fan ticket report (WrestleTix): https://x.com/WrestleTix
Cody fan account: https://x.com/WeWantCody_

Image Referance: https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/416255/cody-rhodes-jey-uso-raise-concerns-over-wwes-reduced-house-show-schedule