Cody Rhodes’ Pitch for Bruce Prichard’s Brother Love Return at SNME Falls Flat
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes revealed on his podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, that he pitched for WWE Executive Director Bruce Prichard to revive his iconic “Brother Love” character to present Rhodes with the legendary Winged Eagle WWE Championship belt at Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME) in December 2024. The nostalgic idea, tied to Rhodes’ vision for a memorable title moment, was ultimately rejected, leaving fans to speculate on what could have been a colorful throwback. Here’s the full story, based on recent reports and Rhodes’ own words.
The Pitch: Brother Love and the Winged Eagle
During a September 2025 episode of his podcast, Rhodes shared that he approached Prichard about reprising his Brother Love persona—a red-faced, smarmy televangelist character from the late 1980s and early 1990s—for a special moment at SNME XXXIX on December 14, 2024. Rhodes envisioned Brother Love presenting him with the Winged Eagle title, a fan-favorite championship belt from WWE’s golden era, ahead of his title defense against Kevin Owens. “I knew Brother Love wasn’t coming back when I asked you to be Brother Love to present me with the Winged Eagle Title. I wanted it,” Rhodes said, admitting he framed the request half-jokingly but was serious about the idea. Prichard, however, dismissed it with a “Haha, no,” opting to keep the character retired.
Instead, Rhodes received the Winged Eagle belt in a Pulp Fiction-inspired segment with Triple H, who presented it in a briefcase, a nod to the iconic 1994 film. Rhodes humorously noted his disappointment, joking, “I’m not going to ask you when Brother Love is coming back, because I’d be hot if Brother Love comes back [and didn’t give me the Winged Eagle].” The Winged Eagle, reintroduced for Rhodes’ feud with Owens, remains a cherished symbol for fans, tied to legends like Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.
Who Is Brother Love?
Bruce Prichard debuted the Brother Love character in June 1988 on WWE Superstars of Wrestling, portraying a sleazy, hypocritical preacher with a catchphrase of “I love you!” The character, inspired by televangelists like Robert Tilton, hosted The Brother Love Show, a talk-show segment that stirred drama by interviewing wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker, whom Brother Love briefly managed. Known for his red face (achieved with makeup, not irritation as some fans speculated), Brother Love was a heel staple until 1991, with sporadic returns in the 1990s, early 2000s, and a notable appearance in the 2020 Royal Rumble. Prichard, now a key WWE creative figure, has expressed fondness for the role but prefers working behind the scenes, living “vicariously through today’s characters.”
Context and Background
Rhodes’ pitch was rooted in his appreciation for WWE’s history and his desire to blend nostalgia with his current reign as Undisputed WWE Champion. The Winged Eagle belt, used from 1988 to 1998, holds sentimental value for Rhodes, whose father, Dusty Rhodes, never won it. The SNME event, a revival of WWE’s classic 1980s and 1990s show, was the perfect stage for such a throwback, especially with Rhodes defending against Owens, a match that drew significant buzz.
Prichard’s reluctance to revive Brother Love aligns with his current role as WWE’s Executive Director, where he focuses on talent acquisition and creative strategy, notably playing a key part in Rhodes’ 2022 return from AEW. The rejection also reflects WWE’s cautious approach to nostalgia, prioritizing modern storytelling over retro gimmicks, as seen in the Pulp Fiction briefcase moment.
Impact and Fan Reaction
Rhodes’ pitch, while unsuccessful, sparked excitement among fans on platforms like X, where users like @WrestleTalk_TV speculated on how Brother Love’s return could have added a “wild nostalgic twist” to SNME. The idea resonated with older fans who remember the character’s smarmy charm, but some questioned its relevance in 2025’s WWE landscape, given Prichard’s age (62) and backstage focus. The Winged Eagle’s reappearance alone satisfied many, with Rhodes’ podcast comments fueling chatter about future retro surprises.
For WWE, the decision to keep Brother Love retired avoids diluting Prichard’s current authority while maintaining focus on Rhodes’ championship narrative. However, it leaves open the possibility of future cameos, especially with SNME’s periodic revivals.
Conclusion
Cody Rhodes’ ambitious pitch to have Bruce Prichard reprise Brother Love at SNME XXXIX for a Winged Eagle title moment was a nostalgic dream that didn’t come to fruition, with Prichard opting out and WWE choosing a modern twist instead. The story, revealed on Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, highlights his passion for WWE’s history and his creative influence as champion. While fans missed out on Brother Love’s return, the Winged Eagle’s spotlight and Rhodes’ dominant reign keep the WWE Universe buzzing. Catch the full podcast episode for more insights, and stay tuned for potential surprises at future WWE events