Senate smackdown? Texas wrestler tweets he might run in 2018

Coming to a ballot near you — possibly.

Last week, the professional wrestler Cody Rhodes tweeted, “’Vote Rhodes’ Texas Senate 2018 (not a drill) ((Well kinda').” It is still unclear if he was referring to a state Senate seat or a U.S. Senate seat. However, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s current term expires in 2018. Some fans have already started submitting possible campaign slogans on Twitter, including "All Rhodes lead to success" and "Where we're going, we need Rhodes."

The Dallas resident has more than 500,000 Twitter followers and didn’t give any more details on a possible run on Twitter.

Rhodes was released from his WWE contract in May. In a short statement on its website, WWE said, “WWE has come to terms on the release of Cody Rhodes as of Sunday, May 22, 2016. WWE wishes Rhodes the best in all his future endeavors.”

The wrestler started his WWE career in 2006, and is the son of legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes, who died in 2015. Cody Rhodes will also make an appearance on the CW show “Arrow” season 5 opposite of Stephen Amell.

If Rhodes does decide to jump into the political arena, he wouldn’t be the first wrestler to make the change. Jesse Ventura wrestled as Jesse “The Body” Ventura until 1984. He was elected governor of Minnesota from 1999-2003.

@bryanbastible

This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Senate smackdown? Texas wrestler tweets he might run in 2018."