Teil Runnels is best known as the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and the older sister of Cody Rhodes. She briefly pursued a passion for wrestling by joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019, but later stepped away to focus on her family. Today she lives a private life in Atlanta as a full-time mother. Public information on her career and finances is very limited.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Teil Margaret Runnels Gergel |
| Date of Birth | September 12, 1982 |
| Age | 43 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress and Wrestling Personality |
| Net Worth | Unknown (public information limited) |
| Active Years | 2019–2021 (brief AEW involvement) |
| Social Media Followers | Twitter (X): ~21.9K (2026) |
Early Life and Background
Family and Early Influences
Teil Runnels was born in Austin, Texas, in 1982 to legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes and his wife Michelle Rubio. Growing up in the Rhodes family gave her a deep passion for wrestling from a young age. She is the elder sister of Cody Rhodes and has a half-brother, Dustin Rhodes (Goldust). Their father’s wrestling career and public life surrounded her childhood. Interestingly, Teil’s full name is Teil Margaret Runnels Gergel, and she sometimes uses her married name Gergel. The Rhodes family legacy influenced her, but Teil chose to keep a relatively low profile outside the ring.
Education and Career Journey
Career Beginnings
After high school, Teil attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a college degree. In 2019, she pursued her lifelong dream by joining AEW alongside her brothers. Teil made a brief on-screen debut on AEW programming, although she did not train as a full-time wrestler.
Rise to Fame
Rather than a title run or championship, Teil’s “rise” came through family media projects. She appeared on Cody Rhodes’ Netflix series Rhodes to the Top in 2021 (showing their behind-the-scenes life), and was featured in the 2023 documentary American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes. These appearances highlighted her supportive role in the Rhodes family story. Overall, Teil chose not to wrestle competitively; instead, her career highlights are tied to her family’s wrestling projects and reality TV features.
Major Achievements
Teil’s most notable achievements are family-related. For example, being part of AEW’s launch in 2019 was a personal milestone. She also appears on national platforms through her family’s shows. However, she has no individual wrestling titles or major public awards. Her “achievements” are reflected in her commitment to family and preserving her father’s legacy. As one source notes, Teil “embraced family life in Atlanta after a promising start in AEW”, which became her chosen path.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Teil Runnels does not have a publicly reported net worth. Because she has not pursued a prominent career outside being a wrestling relative, no reliable financial data exists.
| Income Source | Estimated Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wrestling/TV Appearances | Unknown | Appeared on AEW and family TV shows; earnings not public. |
| Social Media/Endorsements | Unknown | No major sponsorships or public deals reported. |
| Total | Unknown | Public information on her income is very limited. |
How They Make Money
Since Teil’s public activities are limited, details about her income are scarce. She briefly worked on AEW production and TV projects, but it’s not known how much she earned. She is mainly listed as a homemaker now, so her husband’s income or family wealth may support them. In any case, no official sources provide a net worth figure for Teil.
Personal Life and Lifestyle
Relationships and Family
Teil married Atlanta businessman Kevin Gergel on November 1, 2008. The couple settled in Atlanta, Georgia. They have two children – a son (Kellan) and a daughter (Maris). Teil has embraced her role as a full-time mother and homemaker. By all accounts, she focuses on family life; media describe her as managing the household and nurturing their children. She keeps a low-key lifestyle, occasionally sharing family moments on social media but otherwise staying out of the public spotlight.
What Makes Teil Runnels Unique or Different
Teil’s story stands out because, unlike many in her wrestling family, she chose privacy and family over fame. She briefly entered the wrestling world but ultimately prioritized motherhood. This contrasts with her brothers, who became active professional wrestlers. What makes her unique is this blend of wrestling heritage and a decision to live a normal life—she is one of the few Rhodes family members who stepped away from the spotlight. In that sense, Teil is often admired for following her own path and preserving family values.
Key Relationships and Turning Points
A major turning point was Teil’s marriage in 2008. After marrying Kevin Gergel, she became rooted in family life. Another turning point was when she stepped back from AEW after her first child was born. The death of her father Dusty Rhodes in 2015 was also significant for the family (Dusty’s funeral was widely covered). Throughout, Teil has remained close to her siblings Cody and Dustin, supporting their careers while charting her own course.
Challenges, Struggles, or Controversies
There are no known public controversies or struggles involving Teil Runnels. Media coverage of her is very limited, indicating that she has largely avoided scandals. Her biggest challenge was likely balancing a potential wrestling career with raising her children. Otherwise, she is seen as a private figure without any reported personal battles or controversies in the public record.
Public Image, Influence, and Legacy
Teil’s public image is that of a devoted family member within a famous wrestling dynasty. She is often seen as the quiet, supportive sister. For example, a Times of India profile notes that after her brief AEW stint, Teil “embraced family life in Atlanta”. She also maintains her father’s legacy through the Dusty Rhodes Foundation (a youth sports charity he founded) and by appearing at family-related events. While she isn’t famous on her own, fans appreciate her as part of the Rhodes family legacy and as a symbol of family dedication.
Interesting and Lesser-Known Facts
- Full Name: Her full name is Teil Margaret Runnels Gergel, reflecting her maiden name and married name.
- College Graduate: She earned a degree from the University of Texas (Austin), which is not widely known.
- Family First: Unlike some wrestling relatives, Teil did not pursue a public career; she is often cited as focusing entirely on her children and home.
- Social Media: Teil is active on social media under the handle @TeilMargaret (Twitter), where she occasionally posts about her family and father’s legacy. (Her Twitter profile links to the Dusty Rhodes Foundation website.)
- Heritage: She is of Cuban-American descent through her mother, Michelle Rubio, and is part of the famous Rhodes wrestling family.
Related Celebrities and Comparisons
Teil is most often mentioned in relation to her family. Her father is the late Dusty Rhodes, WWE Hall of Famer, and her brother is Cody Rhodes, a top AEW star. She also has a half-sister, Kristin Runnels Ditto, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. In terms of lifestyle, she can be compared to other wrestling-family members who chose private lives (for example, Nancy, the wife of Matt Hardy, or Erin Heger, wife of Edge) rather than ring careers. Each of these figures, like Teil, supports the family brand while not being wrestlers themselves.
Where Are They Now — 2026 Update
As of 2026, Teil Runnels remains out of the public eye. She continues to live in Atlanta with her husband Kevin and their two children, focusing on her family. She has no ongoing wrestling engagements or known public projects. Her recent social media posts celebrate family moments and her brothers’ achievements, but she herself stays in the background. In short, Teil stays dedicated to her role as a mother and the Rhodes family tradition.
FAQs
Who is Teil Runnels?
Teil Runnels is an American public figure best known as the daughter of WWE legend Dusty Rhodes and the elder sister of Cody Rhodes. She briefly joined AEW in 2019 to pursue wrestling, but later chose a private family life in Atlanta.
Did Teil Runnels wrestle professionally?
Teil joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at its start in 2019, but she did not become an active wrestler on the roster. She stepped away from that path after having her child, opting to focus on being a full-time mother.
Is Teil Runnels married and does she have children?
Yes. Teil married Kevin Gergel in 2008. The couple has two children – a son and a daughter – and they live together in Atlanta, Georgia.
How old is Teil Runnels?
Teil Runnels was born on September 12, 1982. That makes her 43 years old as of 2026.
What is Teil Runnels’ net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly known. Because her career activities are private and she does not have major reported earnings, reliable information about her finances is unavailable.
Conclusion
Though she comes from wrestling royalty, Teil Runnels has forged her own gentle path. Unlike the bright spotlight of her brother Cody Rhodes, Teil’s story is about family and loyalty. She showed a spark of the wrestling dream by joining AEW, but ultimately chose motherhood and domestic life in Atlanta. Today, Teil’s legacy shines in her dedication to her loved ones and her quiet role as part of the Rhodes dynasty. Her journey reminds us that not all heroes live in the ring – some make their mark at home, nurturing the next generation.