A WWE Superstar Steps Into Hollywood Absurdity
The official trailer for the new Naked Gun reboot hasn’t just revived interest in deadpan slapstick comedy—it’s managed to sneak in a cameo from WWE’s own Cody Rhodes. Fan buzz hit overdrive on June 16, 2025, when Rhodes popped up as a bartender at the 1:23 mark, mixing drinks alongside some truly outrageous police antics. If you blink, you just might miss him slinging cocktails instead of finishing opponents in the ring.
It’s a small moment, but one that speaks volumes about wrestling’s growing flirtation with mainstream movies. Rhodes joins a cast that pulls talent from every corner of Hollywood, including headline star Liam Neeson, who plays Lt. Frank Drebin Jr.—the son of the original character made famous by Leslie Nielsen. For fans unfamiliar, Nielsen’s classic role helped shape much of modern Hollywood parody, so expectations for a fresh take are sky-high.
A Star-Studded Production With a Parody Pedigree
Hot on the heels of his work with Saturday Night Live and the music-movie hybrid 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,' director Akiva Schaffer is steering this comedy cruise. Throw Seth MacFarlane’s satirical touch into the producing mix (think 'Family Guy' and 'Ted'), and you’ve got a team with comedy in their bones.
Liam Neeson heads the ensemble, diving into slapstick territory far removed from his 'Taken' persona. He’s joined by Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston. Rhodes’ role might be small, but that brief flash behind the bar is already one of the trailer’s most talked-about Easter eggs—especially for WWE fans.
The story follows Drebin Jr. as he tackles chaos in classic Police Squad fashion, mixing crime-fighting with wild physical gags and rapid-fire one-liners. If the trailer is any hint, the new installment sticks close to the franchise’s roots, blending outrageous setups with outlandish delivery.
'The Naked Gun' has made parody an art form since its original run, and this revival seems eager to put a 2025 spin on the formula. Rhodes’ cameo is just the latest example of how big-screen comedy is drawing personalities from unexpected places. When the movie hits theaters on August 1, 2025, there’s a good chance wrestling and comedy fans alike will show up to see if this reboot can capture the magic of the original—or at least catch Cody Rhodes in action, one cocktail at a time.
