Outside of wrestling, Rhodes served as a judge on the competition television seriesGo-Big Show and starred with his wifeBrandi Rhodes on the reality television seriesRhodes to the Top.
Early life
Rhodes was born inCharlotte, North Carolina, on June 30, 1985,[12] the son of Michelle Rubio and professional wrestlerDusty Rhodes. He is ofCuban descent through his maternal grandfather.[13] He has a sister named Teil in addition to his paternal half-brother and fellow professional wrestlerDustin and a paternal half-sister named Kristin, who is a formerDallas Cowboys cheerleader.[14] He is the nephew of professional wrestlersJerry Sags andFred Ottman,[15] and the godson of professional wrestlerMagnum T. A.,[16] who was present at both Rhodes's birth and baptism.[17] He legally changed his surname to "Runnels Rhodes" as a teenager.[18][19]
On the July 2, 2007, episode ofRaw, Runnels made his television debut as aface, using his family's wrestling last name, Rhodes, in a backstage segment with his fatherDusty Rhodes andRandy Orton, where Orton introduced himself to Rhodes and then slapped Dusty as a sign of disrespect.[30] He made his main roster in-ring debut losing to Orton via pinfall on the July 16, 2007, episode ofRaw.[31] Rhodes appeared atThe Great American Bash on July 22 to prevent Orton from further attacking his father.[32] The next night onRaw, Rhodes challenged Orton to a rematch from the previous week, only to lose again. Orton followed this up by kicking Rhodes's father in the head.[33]
In May 2008,Ted DiBiase began feuding with the duo, threatening to take their titles in his first match as part of the Raw brand.[39] At the pay-per-view event,Night of Champions on June 29, Rhodes turned on Holly by revealing himself as DiBiase's partner to help him win the match and also become a two-time World Tag Team Champion, turningheel in the process.[40][41]
After holding the championship for just over a month, theydropped it toJohn Cena andBatista on the August 4 episode ofRaw, but regained it the next week.[42][43][44] Rhodes and DiBiase were then joined byManu, the son ofAfa, in September, forming a stable of multi-generational wrestlers.[45] On the October 27Raw, Rhodes and DiBiase lost the World Tag Team Championship toKofi Kingston andCM Punk.[46]
On November they began a storyline with Orton and, atSurvivor Series on November 23, Rhodes, along with Orton, was a survivor, for Orton's team, in the annual Elimination match.[47] The three of them created a stable with Orton calledThe Legacy.[48][49]
As part of the Legacy, Rhodes entered theRoyal Rumble match at theRoyal Rumble on January 25, 2009, in order to help Orton win, and lasted until the final three, before being eliminated by Triple H.[50] Rhodes and DiBiase became involved in Orton's scripted rivalry with theMcMahon family, helping him to attackShane andStephanie McMahon, and Stephanie's real-life husband, Triple H.[51][52] Rhodes was elevated tomain event status as a result of joining the Legacy, competing in handicap and six-man tag team matches against Orton's opponents and rivals.[53][54]
On April 26 atBacklash, Rhodes, DiBiase, and Orton defeated Triple H, Batista, and Shane McMahon in a six-man tag team match, which, per the pre-match stipulation, resulted in Orton winning theWWE Championship.[55] Rhodes suffered a minor neck injury in June, but continued working.[56]
Throughout mid-2009, Rhodes and DiBiase continued to compete against and attack Orton's rivals, especially Triple H.[57] This led to Triple H reformingD-Generation X (DX) with Shawn Michaels, and DX defeated Rhodes and DiBiase atSummerSlam on August 23.[58] Rhodes and DiBiase defeated DX at the following pay-per-view,Breaking Point on September 13 in asubmissions count anywhere match, but were defeated in aHell in a Cell match at theHell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 4, when Rhodes was pinned following asledgehammer shot to the head.[59][60] Rhodes represented Team Raw at the firstBragging Rights pay-per-view on October 25, reluctantly teaming with DX. The match would go on to be won by TeamSmackDown. AtSurvivor Series on November 22, having aided Orton in his feud with Kofi Kingston, was part of Team Orton (against Team Kingston) alongside DiBiase. Kingston would lastly eliminate Orton in the match to be sole survivor.
Tension within The Legacy became apparent at theRoyal Rumble on January 31, 2010, when Rhodes attempted to interfere in Orton's match for the WWE Championship. Rhodes was caught by the referee, resulting in a disqualification for Orton, who attacked Rhodes and DiBiase, who had tried to help Rhodes, after the match.[61] On the February 15Raw, Orton took onSheamus in a non-title rematch, but was again disqualified after Rhodes and DiBiase interfered.[62] During the WWE ChampionshipElimination Chamber match at theElimination Chamber pay-per-view on February 21, Rhodes interfered, passing a lead pipe through the cage to DiBiase. DiBiase hit Orton with the pipe and eliminated him from the match.[63] The next night onRaw, Orton attacked Rhodes and DiBiase during a six-man tag team match, and they attacked Orton the following week in retaliation.[64][65] This led to a triple threat match atWrestleMania XXVI on March 28, in which Orton defeated Rhodes and DiBiase.[66]
On the June 25SmackDown, Rhodes began a new narcissisticgimmick, claiming to be the best-looking wrestler in WWE and demanding to be called "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. Rhodes would participate in the SmackDownMoney in the Bank ladder match at the first everMoney in the Bank pay-per-view event on July 18 but was unsuccessful as the match was won by Kane.[72] As part of the gimmick,vignettes began airing in which Rhodes gave "grooming tips".[73][74] He was extremely protective of his face during matches; if he was hit in the face, he threw a fit and checked his mirror.[75][76] In September, he attacked Christian along withDrew McIntyre after a match, and the duo also attackedMatt Hardy, forming an alliance. AtNight of Champions on September 19, Rhodes and McIntyre captured theWWE Tag Team Championship in aTag Team Turmoil match.[77] AtBragging Rights on October 24, Rhodes and McIntyre lost the championship toThe Nexus (John Cena andDavid Otunga).[78] On the October 29SmackDown, after losing a tag team match, Rhodes and McIntyre dissolved their partnership.[79]
On the January 21, 2011, episode ofSmackDown, Rhodes facedRey Mysterio in a match, during which Mysterio hit Rhodes in the face with his exposed knee brace and legitimately broke Rhodes's nose,[80][81] which led to Rhodes declaring he was no longer dashing and had required facial reconstructive surgery.[82] Rhodes was off television for several weeks. Upon his return, he wore a clear protective mask over his face and colluded with his father to attack Mysterio and remove Mysterio'smask on the February 25SmackDown.[83] Rhodes then regularly used his protective mask as a weapon during matches by headbutting opponents and using it to hit his opponents.[84][85][86] In 2020, Rhodes said his time as Undashing Cody Rhodes was his second most successful work as a pro wrestler.[87] Rhodes defeated Mysterio in a match atWrestleMania XXVII on April 3.[88] The duo also faced off in a Falls Count Anywhere match at theExtreme Rules pay-per-view on May 1, which was won by Mysterio.[89]
Rhodes wearing his protective mask and holding paper bag masks in June 2011
On subsequent episodes ofSmackDown following WrestleMania XXVII, Rhodes, with the help of assistants, would hand out paper bags to the audience during hispromos. Rhodes demanded the audience to put on the paper bags on their heads to cover their ugliness and imperfections, because they offended him.[90] Rhodes also put paper bags over several of his opponents' heads after matches with them.[91][92] Rhodes reformed his alliance with Ted DiBiase on the May 20SmackDown, and the duo went on to feud withSin Cara andDaniel Bryan.[93][94][95] At thesecond annualMoney in the Bank pay-per-view on July 17, Rhodes participated in the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match, but was unsuccessful as Bryan won the match.[96]
Intercontinental Champion (2011–2012)
At the August 9 tapings of the August 12SmackDown, Rhodes defeatedEzekiel Jackson to win the Intercontinental Championship, his first singles title with the company.[97][98] The following week, Rhodes and DiBiase had a verbal confrontation with Orton. The following week, Rhodes attacked DiBiase after the latter lost a singles match to Orton, ending their alliance and resulting in an Intercontinental Championship match between the two atNight of Champions on September 18, which Rhodes won.[99][100] Simultaneously, Rhodes had begun a feud with Orton, with Orton defeating Rhodes on the September 9SmackDown,[101] but Rhodes defeated Orton on the September 12Raw SuperShow whenMark Henry distracted Orton.[102] On the September 23SmackDown, Rhodes defeated Orton by disqualification when Orton took Rhodes's mask off and hit him with it.[103] Post-match, Orton attacked Rhodes with the timekeeper's bell,legitimately cutting Rhodes and causing him to bleed.[104] The following week onSmackDown, Rhodes claimed he needed nine staples to close the wound.[105]
At theHell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 2, Rhodes debuted a new design for the Intercontinental Championship, which included a white strap and plates similar to the title's classic 1980s design, before successfully defending it against John Morrison.[106] Throughout October, Rhodes continued feuding with Orton, explaining that Orton had mistreated him during their time together as part ofLegacy, costing him the World Heavyweight Championship and attacking him.[107][108] AtVengeance on October 23, Rhodes was defeated by Orton in a non-title match.[109] On the November 4SmackDown, Orton defeated Rhodes in a Street Fight to end the feud; in the process, Orton broke Rhodes's mask.[110] On the November 14Raw SuperShow, Rhodes reappeared without his mask, claiming that Orton had set him free, signalling the end of his masked gimmick.[111] AtSurvivor Series on November 20, Rhodes was sole survivor alongside Team CaptainWade Barrett in their traditional Survivor Series match against Team Orton.
Rhodes then feuded withSmackDown commentatorBooker T, attacking him from behind on several occasions and successfully retaining the Intercontinental Championship against him atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 18 and on the January 6, 2012,SmackDown.[112][113] At theRoyal Rumble on January 29, Rhodes competed in the Royal Rumble match, lasting over 40 minutes and eliminating more wrestlers than other any other competitor with six, before he was eliminated byBig Show.[114][115] AtElimination Chamber on February 19, Rhodes pinned Big Show in theWorld Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match, before being eliminated by Santino Marella.[116][117] Rhodes spent the following weeks highlighting Big Show's embarrassing moments in previous WrestleManias, often costing Big Show to lose matches in the process.[118] AtWrestleMania XXVIII on April 1, Rhodes lost the Intercontinental Championship to Big Show, ending his near eight-month reign of 233 days.[119]
Following the loss at WrestleMania, Rhodes went on a brief losing streak, due to Big Show distracting him during matches.[120] Four weeks after losing the title, Rhodes regained it atExtreme Rules on April 29 by defeating Big Show in a Tables match.[121] On the May 7 episode ofRaw SuperShow, Rhodes retained his title against Big Show in a rematch after getting himself counted out.[122] Two weeks later atOver the Limit on May 20, Rhodes lost the Intercontinental Championship to the returning Christian. He would go on to lose to Christian in a rematch for the title atNo Way Out on June 17.[123] On the June 29SmackDown, Rhodes and David Otunga were defeated by Christian andUnited States Champion Santino Marella in aMoney in the Bank qualification match for the World Heavyweight Championship, due to Otunga being pinned.[124] Afterwards, Rhodes claimed that he had not lost and demanded another chance.[124] Four days later onSuper SmackDown Live, the WWE Board of Directors granted Rhodes another shot and he defeated Christian to earn a spot in the match.[125] AtMoney in the Bank on July 15, he was unsuccessful as the match was won byDolph Ziggler.[126] On September 16 atNight of Champions, Rhodes failed to capture the Intercontinental Championship fromThe Miz in a fatal-four-way match, also involving Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara.[127]
Team Rhodes Scholars (2012–2013)
Rhodes sporting a moustache following his return from injury
Rhodes then aligned himself withDamien Sandow, attacking Tag Team ChampionsTeam Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) on the September 24Raw.[128] The team, now known as "Rhodes Scholars", won a Tag Team Championship tournament to become the number one contenders to the Tag Team Championship, but after defeatingTeam Hell No (Daniel Bryan andKane) by disqualification atHell in a Cell on October 28, they were defeated by Team Hell No on the November 14 episode ofMain Event.[129][130][131] Rhodes suffered a concussion and a strained shoulder in the latter match, resulting in him being removed from his traditional five-on-five tag team match atSurvivor Series on November 18.[132]
After he returned from injury, sporting amustache, he and Sandow worked as a tag team, facing the champions Team Hell No twice: one on the December 19 episode ofMain Event[133] and another at theRoyal Rumble on January 27, 2013. They would also be joined byThe Bella Twins, as they began feuding with Tons of Funk (Brodus Clay and Tensai) andThe Funkadactyls (Cameron andNaomi).[134][135][136] The two teams were originally booked to face each other in an eight-person mixed tag team match on April 7 atWrestleMania 29,[137] but their match was cut due to time constraints.[138] The match instead took place the following night onRaw, where Tons of Funk and The Funkadactyls emerged victorious.[139]
On July 14 atMoney in the Bank pay-per-view, Rhodes competed in the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Damien Sandow after Sandow turned on Rhodes and threw him off of the ladder just as Rhodes was about to win the match.[140] The following night onRaw, Rhodes attacked Sandow and dissolved Team Rhodes Scholars, turningface for the first time since 2008.[141] They feuded over the briefcase, which Rhodes threw into theGulf of Mexico.[142] On August 18 atSummerSlam, now no longer sporting a mustache, Rhodes defeated Sandow in a singles match,[143] and did so again the following night onRaw.[144]
In 2013,Goldust returned to WWE, teaming with his half-brother Cody.
In September, Rhodes started a storyline with his brother against Triple H. After Rhodes was defeated by Orton on the September 2 episode ofRaw, he was fired in storyline.[145] This was put in place to give Rhodes time off for his marriage and honeymoon toBrandi Reed. Over the next few weeks, Rhodes's brotherGoldust also lost to Orton with Cody's reinstatement on the line, while his father Dusty Rhodes was knocked out by Big Show while pleading for his sons to get their jobs back.[146][147] In return, the vengeful Rhodes brothers gatecrashedRaw by attackingThe Shield.[148]
On October 6 atBattleground, Rhodes and Goldust defeated the WWE Tag Team Champions,Roman Reigns andSeth Rollins in a non-title match with the stipulation that they would be re-signed.[149] On the October 14 episode ofRaw, they defeated The Shield in aNo Disqualification match to become Tag Team Champions.[150] The Rhodes brothers then retain the titles for months, over opponents which included the former champions The Shield,[151] until they lost them at theRoyal Rumble on January 26, 2014, toThe New Age Outlaws.
Stardust, creative frustration, and departure (2014–2016)
Rhodes as Stardust in January 2015
On the June 16Raw, Rhodes debuted a new character called Stardust (a ring name also previously used by his father during his time inAmerican Wrestling Association), with face paint, a bodysuit and mannerisms similar to those of Goldust. He teamed with his brother to defeat RybAxel that night and then at bothMoney in the Bank and onRaw.[152] On the August 18Raw, Stardust and Goldust defeated the WWE Tag Team ChampionsThe Usos in a non-title match.[153] This led to a rematch on the August 25Raw, where Stardust and Goldust defeated The Usos via countout, but did not win the titles. After the match, both Stardust and Goldust attacked The Usos. AtNight of Champions, Stardust and Goldust defeated the Usos to become WWE Tag Team Champions for their second reign as a team.[154] AtHell in a Cell, they successfully retained against The Usos. They lost the title to Damien Mizdow and The Miz in a fatal four-way tag team match also involving The Usos andLos Matadores the next month atSurvivor Series, while also losing a rematch the next night onRaw. AtTLC they lost to the newly formed teamThe New Day.
On February, the team disbanded after Cody executedCross Rhodes on Goldust.[155] This led to a match between Goldust and Stardust atFastlane, which Goldust won.[156] The brothers tried to have a match at WrestleMania, but the WWE Chairman Vince McMahon did not book the match, since he felt the match was not good enough for WrestleMania.[157]
The Stardust character eventually evolved to resemble acomic booksupervillain, which led to him entering a storyline rivalry with actorStephen Amell,[158] renaming his finishing maneuverThe Queen's Crossbow, afterOliver Queen, Amell's character fromArrow.[158] AtSummerSlam, he and Barrett were defeated in a tag team match by Amell and Neville.[159] Then, he began to work withThe Ascension, forming the faction "The Cosmic Wasteland". AtNight of Champions, they defeated Neville andThe Lucha Dragons in a six-man tag team match in the pre-show. From September until May, he worked on television and PPV in minor storylines and losses.[160] AtWrestleMania 32, Stardust competed in a seven-manladder match for the Intercontinental Championship, which was won byZack Ryder.[161][162][163][164]
On May 21, 2016, Rhodes revealed onTwitter that he had requested his release from WWE,[165] which was officially granted the following day.[166] Rhodes cited frustrations with WWE's creative department and his position within the company as the reasons for requesting his release, noting that he had "pleaded" with writers to end the Stardust gimmick for over six months and pitched numerous storyline ideas which had been ignored.[167][168][169][170] Reflecting on Rhodes's WWE career,Dave Meltzer of theWrestling Observer wrote that following his run with Legacy, Rhodes was "used as more of a lower and mid-card wrestler in a number of changing roles", adding that "his career had gone nowhere and he hadn't been used well".[171] James Caldwell ofPro Wrestling Torch wrote that Rhodes "had been floundering as the Stardust character over the past year or so, mostly landing onSuperstars orMain Event".[169][172] Jason Powell ofPro Wrestling Dot Net commented that Rhodes choosing to leave was "surprising in the sense that Cody and his family have worked for WWE for so long".[173] Meanwhile, Dave Scherer ofPro Wrestling Insider wrote: "I can't say I blame him a bit. Not even a little bit. WWE never gave him a real chance, and that's just sad to me".[174] In September 2019, Rhodes revealed WWE Executive Vice President Triple H's reaction to his WWE departure, where Rhodes stated:
[Triple H] took [the departure] personally because he had done so much for my dad. There was one conversation where he said, "I'm shocked that you feel this way after everything I've done for your family." But I told him, "I'm not my dad. I can't stay here out of loyalty to you for giving my dad a job in 2005. I really appreciate what you did for my dad. But I'm not him. He's not here anymore. I've got to be me." I think [he] knew, "Oh, this is real. He's not asking for more money. He's not asking for a title shot. Nothing would matter at this point."[175]
Despite that, Rhodes consistently spoke highly of WWE following his departure, adding that there were no grudges between him and the company and that any decisions the company makes regarding him are largely business-based.[176] This included WWE redesigning the Intercontinental Championship belt (whose 2011–2019 design was introduced in storyline by Rhodes) in 2019 around the same time AEW launched being a coincidence as opposed to trying to separate themselves from Rhodes, as Rhodes himself acknowledged that the physical belt was due for a redesign anyway.[177]
After he left WWE, Rhodes continued working under his real name on the independent circuit, but often dropped his last name in order to avoid conflict with WWE.[18] Rhodes's first post-WWE match was forEvolve inJoppa, Maryland, on August 19 at Evolve 66, defeatingZack Sabre Jr. by submission.[178][179] After the match, Rhodes called outDrew Galloway.[179] The following day, he lost toChris Hero.[180]
In May 2017,Dave Meltzer suggested that an independent wrestling show would be unable to sell out a ten thousand seat arena in the United States. Rhodes, along withThe Young Bucks, challenged the idea by planning a show specifically for the purposes of drawing ten thousand fans.[184] In May 2018, it was announced that the show would be namedAll In.[185] On May 13, 2018, tickets to "All In" sold out in 30 minutes.[186] At the event on September 1, Cody defeatedNick Aldis to win theNWA World Heavyweight Championship.[187] Cody lost the championship back to Aldis in atwo-out-of-three falls match at theNWA 70th Anniversary Show on October 21.[188]
On July 19, 2016, Rhodes announced that he would appear atRing of Honor's (ROH)Final Battle pay-per-view on December 2. ROH made the official announcement the following day.[189] At the event, Rhodes, who was simply billed as Cody, defeatedJay Lethal following alow blow, then proceed to attack Lethal, senior referee Todd Sinclair, taunted ROH fans and shoved ROH commentatorSteve Corino.[190] On the January 18 episode ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Cody defeated Corino.[191][unreliable source] At theSupercard of Honor XI event on April 1, Cody was defeated by Jay Lethal in aTexas Bullrope match. Later in the night, he attacked formerROH World ChampionChristopher Daniels.[192] On May 12 atWar of the Worlds, Cody unsuccessfully challenged Christopher Daniels for the ROH World Championship in a three-way match also involving Jay Lethal.[193] On June 23 atBest in the World, Cody defeated Daniels to become the new ROH World Champion, marking the first world title of his career.[194] Cody was also billed as the first member of the Rhodes family to capture a world title in 31 years.[195] Cody and Dusty are the second father-son combination to win major world championships in the United States afterFritz andKerry Von Erich.[196]
On September 23, it was confirmed that Cody had signed an exclusive contract with ROH.[197] On December 15 atFinal Battle, Cody, now with bleached blond hair, lost the ROH World Championship toDalton Castle.[198] On July 21, 2018, he and fellow Bullet Club members The Young Bucks defeatedThe Kingdom to win theROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, marking his first reign. Cody and The Bucks lost the titles atSurvival of the Fittest to The Kingdom on November 4 after a 106-day reign and two successful title defenses. Cody faced Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship at Final Battle, but he lost the match. The next day, Cody left ROH.[199]
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (2016–2017)
Rhodes was expected to work events forTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) while simultaneously working in ROH, both deals being non-exclusive.[200] On September 22, TNA confirmed Rhodes, billed as Cody, would be debuting for the promotion on October 2 atBound for Glory.[3] At Bound for Glory, Cody, alongside his wife Brandi Rhodes, made his debut as a face, attacking Mike Bennett and his wifeMaria to begin a feud between the two couples.[201] On the October 6 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Cody cut a promo where he put over the company and said he has a shot at theTNA World Heavyweight Championship, but Bennett and Maria interrupted and the segment ended with a brawl. On the October 13 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Cody made his in-ring debut by defeating Bennett. On the October 20 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Cody challengedEddie Edwards for the Impact World Heavyweight Championship, but lost the match. On the October 27Impact Wrestling, Cody and Brandi defeated Bennett and Maria. After the match, Cody was attacked backstage byLashley, and this was done to write him off television.
Cody returned on the February 23, 2017, episode ofImpact Wrestling, calling outMoose to thank him for helping his wife Brandi while he was away. After learning Brandi had Moose's phone number, Cody attacked Moose, turning heel.[202] On the March 30 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Cody unsuccessfully faced Moose for theImpact Grand Championship. Rhodes's contract with the promotion ended shortly after.[203]
Cody facedKota Ibushi atWrestle Kingdom 12 on January 4, 2018, in a losing effort.[211] AtThe New Beginning in Sapporo, he attackedKenny Omega with the help of Page, eventually being stopped by Ibushi.[212] This led to a match at theG1 Special in San Francisco on July 7, where Cody unsuccessfully challenged Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. After the match, as the "BC Firing Squad" of King Haku, Tanga Loa, and Tama Tonga attacked Omega and the rest of Bullet Club, Cody refused to aid the attackers and embraced the Bullet Club members afterward.[213] AtFighting Spirit Unleashed, Cody defeated Robinson to win theIWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, his first championship in NJPW.[214] Cody again failed to defeat Omega for the championship in a three-way match also involving Ibushi atKing of Pro-Wrestling on October 8.[215] On October 24, Cody announced that he was no longer affiliated with Bullet Club, and he would continue teaming with Omega, The Young Bucks, Page andMarty Scurll asThe Elite.[216] AtWrestle Kingdom 13 on January 4, 2019, Cody lost the United States Heavyweight Championship back to Robinson.[217] On February 7, his profile was removed from NJPW website.[218]
In November 2018, several trademarks were filed in Jacksonville, Florida that indicated the launch of a new wrestling promotion.[219][220][221] On January 1, 2019,All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was unveiled during a conference in Jacksonville, with Cody revealing that he, along with Matt and Nick Jackson ofThe Young Bucks andKenny Omega, would serve as Executive Vice Presidents, as well as on-air talent. Both Cody and The Young Bucks signed five-year contracts with the promotion.[222] At their inaugural event on May 25,Double or Nothing, Cody defeatedDustin Rhodes; it would later win "Match of the Year" fromPro Wrestling Illustrated.[223][224] On June 29 atFyter Fest, Cody wrestledDarby Allin to a time limit draw. After the match, Rhodes was attacked byShawn Spears and struck with a chair shot that caused Rhodes to bleed heavily from the back of his head.[225] While Rhodes did not suffer aconcussion, he did require 12surgical staples.[226] Spears' actions would be condemned byMJF, Cody's self-proclaimed best friend.[227] MJF would later become Cody'scornerman for his matches.
Rhodes in October 2019
AtAll Out on August 31, Cody emerged victorious over Spears.[228] With this win, Cody improved his win–loss–draw record in singles matches to 2–0–1, granting him a match for theAEW World Championship against Chris Jericho at theFull Gear pay-per-view.[229] On the premiere episode ofDynamite on October 2, Cody and The Young Bucks were beaten down by Jericho,Sammy Guevara,Jake Hager,Santana andOrtiz,[230] leading to the creation ofThe Inner Circle to rival The Elite.[231] On the November 6 episode ofDynamite, Cody announced that if he were to lose at Full Gear, he would never challenge for the AEW World Championship again.[232] At Full Gear on November 9, Cody failed to win the championship from Jericho after MJFthrew in the towel. After the match, MJF turned on Cody by kicking him the groin.[233]
Over the following months, Cody attempted to secure a match with MJF,[234][235] which MJF agreed to do as long as Cody met three stipulations: he could not touch MJF until the match, he would have to defeat MJF's bodyguardWardlow in asteel cage match, and he would have to take ten lashes with a leather belt.[236] After taking the lashes,[237] Cody defeated Wardlow in a steel cage match on the February 19, 2020, episode ofDynamite to arrange the match for theRevolution pay-per-view.[238] Cody was defeated by MJF at Revolution on February 29.[239]
TNT Champion and departure (2020–2022)
On March 30, AEW announced a new title, theAEW TNT Championship; Cody was announced as a participant for an eight-man,single-elimination tournament to crown the inaugural champion.[240] Cody defeated Shawn Spears and Darby Allin to reach the finals of the tournament to faceLance Archer, who also advanced to the finals.[241] AtDouble Or Nothing on May 23, Cody defeated Archer to become the inaugural TNT Champion;Mike Tyson afterwards presented Cody with the title belt.[242] Over the following weeks, Cody successfully defended the championship against the likes ofJungle Boy,[243] Marq Quen,[244]Ricky Starks,[245] Jake Hager,[246]Sonny Kiss,[247]Eddie Kingston,[248]Warhorse,[249] andScorpio Sky.[250] Cody lost the championship toBrodie Lee on the August 22 episode ofDynamite, ending his reign at 82 days (91 days as recognized by AEW due totape delay).[251] Subsequently, it was reported that Cody would be taking up a leave of absence from the company.[252]
Cody returned on the September 23 episode ofDynamite, attacking Brodie Lee and members of his faction,The Dark Order.[253] Cody would defeat Brodie Lee to win the TNT Championship in aDog Collar match on the October 7 episode ofDynamite, beginning his second reign with the championship, also marking Lee's final match before his death in December of that year.[254] On November 7, Cody, now once again under the full name Cody Rhodes due to WWE cancelling their trademark on the name (in a settlement that saw Cody relinquishing his claim to the trademarks for several WCW event names), lost the TNT Championship to Darby Allin atFull Gear.[255]
After losing the TNT Championship, Rhodes would begin a feud with famed basketball playerShaquille O'Neal.[256][257] On the March 3, 2021, episode ofDynamite, Rhodes teamed withRed Velvet in a loss to O'Neal and his partnerJade Cargill in amixed tag team match.[258] At theRevolution event on March 7, Rhodes competed in the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match for a future opportunity at the TNT Championship, but the match was won by Scorpio Sky.[259]
On the March 31 episode ofDynamite, Rhodes began a feud withQ. T. Marshall, after Marshall and his alliesAaron Solo,Nick Comoroto and the debutantAnthony Ogogo assaulted Rhodes after a match.[260] At theBlood and Guts event on May 5, Rhodes defeated Marshall,[261] before going on to defeat Ogogo at theDouble or Nothing pay-per-view later that month.[262] At theRoad Rager event on July 7, Rhodes defeated Marshall in aSouth Beach Strap match to end the feud.[263][264] Following this, Rhodes began a feud with the debutingMalakai Black.[265] At theHomecoming event on August 4, Rhodes was quickly defeated by Black.[266] After taking a hiatus, Rhodes returned to face Black in a rematch atGrand Slam on September 22, but he was again defeated.[267] On the October 23 episode ofDynamite, Rhodes finally defeated Black.[268] AtFull Gear, Rhodes teamed up withPac against Black andAndrade El Idolo in a winning effort.[269] On the December 1 episode ofDynamite, Rhodes defeated Andrade in an Atlanta street fight.[270]
Rhodes began a feud with Sammy Guevara over the TNT Championship, on December 25 at the specialHoliday Bash episode ofRampage, Rhodes defeated Guevara to win the title for a record third time.[271] At theBeach Break event on January 26, 2022, Rhodes lost the title back to Guevara in a ladder match.[272] This would be Rhodes's last match in AEW, as on February 15, 2022, several sources reported that he and his wife Brandi had left the promotion as they were unable to come to terms on a new contract.[273][274] He has cited since that he left AEW because of a personal issue.[275]
On March 18, 2022, it was reported by multiple sources that Rhodes had re-signed with WWE.[276] On the first night ofWrestleMania 38 on April 2, Rhodes was revealed asSeth "Freakin" Rollins' surprise opponent, making his return to WWE after six years and defeating Rollins.[277][278][279] On the following episode ofRaw, Rhodes stated that he returned to WWE to win the championship that his father,Dusty Rhodes, never got to hold, theWWE Championship.[280] Rhodes subsequently defeated Rollins once more in a rematch atWrestleMania Backlash.[281] Ahead of their Hell in a Cell match at theeponymous event, Rhodes suffered alegitimate pectoral muscle tear, which had eventuated halfway through a brawl on the prior episode ofRaw. The injury was exacerbated when the muscle tore entirely off the bone while Rhodes was weight training in the days preceding the event.[282] He entered Hell in a Cell with a massive spot of discolored skin, but despite the severe injury, managed to defeat Rollins for the third time.[283] Four days later, it was announced that Rhodes underwent successful surgery to repair a torn right pectoral tendon, rendering him unable to compete for eight months.[284]
On the January 16, 2023, episode ofRaw, Rhodes announced in a pre-taped video that he would return to competition in the men's Royal Rumble match atRoyal Rumble on January 28,[285] which he won after lastly eliminatingGunther.[286] On the following episode ofRaw, Rhodes challengedRoman Reigns for theUndisputed WWE Universal Championship atWrestleMania 39.[287] In the main event of the second night of WrestleMania, Rhodes was defeated by Reigns after interference fromSolo Sikoa.[288] The booking decision was met with divisive reactions from fans, journalists and other wrestlers.[289][290][291][292][293][294]
At the Royal Rumble event on January 27, 2024, Rhodes won the men's Royal Rumble match after lastly eliminatingCM Punk.[303] This was only the fourth time someone had won two consecutive Rumble matches, and the first time sinceStone Cold Steve Austin won in1997 and1998. After Rhodes won, he pointed at Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.[304] On the February 2 episode ofSmackDown, Rhodes said that he would not challenge Roman Reigns atWrestleMania XL.The Rock then appeared and confronted Reigns, with Rhodes shaking The Rock's hand and leaving the ring to Reigns and The Rock.[305][306][307] This development drew backlash from fans on social media for disrupting Rhodes's long-term storyline with Reigns.[308] During theWrestleMania XL Kickoffmedia event on February 8, Rhodes announced that he chose Reigns. After bringing up each other's families, The Rock turned heel and viciously slapped him in the face and joined the Bloodline. In the ensuing brawl, Rhodes was backed byWorld Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.[309]
During Night 1 ofWrestleMania XL on April 6, Rhodes and Rollins lost to The Rock and Reigns, meaning that on Night 2 of the event, Rhodes's match against Reigns would be aBloodline Rules match.[310] On Night 2, Rhodes suffered interferences from Bloodline membersJimmy Uso,Solo Sikoa, and The Rock, who were each countered by Rhodes' allies Jey Uso,John Cena, Rollins, andThe Undertaker. Rhodes ultimately defeated Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship to finish his story and capture his first world title in WWE.[311] On the April 8 episode ofRaw, just as Rhodes was addressing his win, he was interrupted by The Rock. After a brief exchange of both titles, The Rock announced that he would be taking time away. However, he issued a warning to Rhodes that once he returns, he'll be returning for him.[312] As the title was the world championship of SmackDown, Rhodes was subsequently transferred to the brand.
He would defend the title againstAJ Styles atBacklash,[313][314] andLogan Paul atKing and Queen of the Ring.[315] Rhodes once again retained the title against Styles atClash at the Castle in an"I Quit" match.[316] AtMoney in the Bank, The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa,Tama Tonga andJacob Fatu) defeated Rhodes,Randy Orton andKevin Owens in asix-man tag team match with Rhodes being pinned by Sikoa.[317] Rhodes successfully defended the title against Sikoa atSummerSlam in a Bloodline Rules match after interference from the returning Reigns.[318] Rhodes would defend the title against Owens atBash in Berlin.[319] Rhodes defended the title against Sikoa again during the September 13 episode ofSmackDown in asteel cage match. Following the cage match, with Reigns coming to Rhodes's defense from the Bloodline, Rhodes and Reigns mutually agreed to team up against Sikoa and Fatu atBad Blood on October 5.[320] At the event, Rhodes and Reigns were victorious following interference from the returning Jimmy Uso.[321] Following the match, The Rock made his return and stared down Reigns, Rhodes, and Jimmy Uso, before later counting to three and motioning the fingers across his neck.[322] After the event went off the air, Rhodes was attacked by Owens in the parking lot.[323] AtCrown Jewel on November 2, Rhodes defeated World Heavyweight ChampionGunther to win the inauguralWWE Crown Jewel Championship.[324] AtSaturday Night's Main Event on December 14, Rhodes (who came out with the "Winged Eagle" version of the WWE Championship) successfully defended his title against Owens. After the event went off the air, Rhodes was brutally attacked by Owens with a Package Piledriver and was stretchered out of the arena.[325] On the December 27 episode ofSmackDown, it was announced that Rhodes would defend the title against Owens in a ladder match atRoyal Rumble with both the "Undisputed" and "Winged Eagle" championship belts on the line.[326] At the event on February 1, Rhodes defeated Owens once more to retain the title, thus ending their feud.[327]
On the February 21 episode ofSmackDown, Rhodes began a storyline with The Rock, which involved The Rock cryptically stating that he wanted Rhodes's soul.[328] AtElimination Chamber: Toronto on March 1, Rhodes rejected The Rock's offer, which then prompted Cena, who had just won theElimination Chamber match to earn a title shot against Rhodes atWrestleMania 41, to attack Rhodes.[329] On Night 2 of the event on April 20, Rhodes lost the title to Cena via interference from his ally,Travis Scott, and a low blow from Cena, ending his reign at 378 days.[330]
After a brief absence from television, Rhodes returned on May 24 atSaturday Night's Main Event XXXIX, coming to the aid of Jey Uso from an attack by Cena and Paul, before challenging them both to a tag team match atMoney in the Bank.[331] At the event on June 7, Rhodes and Uso defeated Cena and Paul after an assist from the returningR-Truth, with Rhodes pinning Cena.[332] Following Money in the Bank, Rhodes competed in the2025 edition of theKing of the Ring tournament, defeating Andrade, Damien Priest and Shinsuke Nakamura in a fatal four-way match in the first round,[333] Jey Uso in the semi-finals,[334] and Orton in the finals atNight of Champions on June 28, thus winning the tournament and earning an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cena atSummerSlam.[335] On Night 2 of the event on August 3, Rhodes defeated Cena in a Street Fight to win the Undisputed WWE Championship for a second time.[336]
On the August 8 edition ofSmackDown, Rhodes teamed with Cena to defeat Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul via disqualification. After the match, Rhodes and McIntyre brawled with each other at ringside, which resulted in McIntyre viciously performing theClaymore Kick on Rhodes through the side of the announcer's desk.[337] This was done to write Rhodes off television to allow him to film the movieStreet Fighter.[338] Rhodes returned on the September 12SmackDown and challenged McIntyre to a title match atWrestlepalooza.[339] At the event on September 20, Rhodes defeated McIntyre to retain the title.[340] AtCrown Jewel on October 11, Rhodes faced World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins for the Crown Jewel Championship in a losing effort.[341] AtSaturday Night's Main Event on November 1, Rhodes once again retained the title against McIntyre.[342]
Other media
In July 2009, Rhodes became one of the faces of theGillette "Be a Superstar" advertising campaign, along with Chris Jericho and John Cena.[343][344] "Be a Superstar" was a four-month-long interactive campaign, which featured the wrestlers in numerous videos promotingGillette Fusion products.[343] In August 2009, Rhodes appeared onThe Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.[345]
Rhodes guest-starred onArrow in the fifth-season episode "A Matter of Trust" playing Derek Sampson, a drug dealer turnedmetahuman with the inability to feel pain (Sampson's drug of choice was named Stardust in homage to Rhodes's WWE persona).[346][347] Rhodes reprised the role on episode 21 of the fifth season ofArrow.[348] In July 2018, Rhodes announced that his character would return for Season 7;[349] he appeared in five episodes during the season. Rhodes also voiced a fictionalized version of himself in the first episode of the 2023 animated seriesCaptain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.
In April 2025, Rhodes was added toClash of Clans as a skin for the playable “hero” character, the Barbarian King, in the video game's ClashAMania event.[359]
Rhodes and his half-brother inducted their father into theWWE Hall of Fame on March 31, 2007.[360]
In September 2013, Rhodes married ring announcer and former wrestlerBrandi Reed.[361] They have two children together,[362][363][364] as well as aSiberian Husky named Pharaoh, who has appeared alongside Rhodes on both AEW and WWE programming.[365][366][367]
^WWE had previously recognised Rhodes as Universal Champion during his first Undisputed WWE Championship reign; however, after he lost the title toJohn Cena atWrestleMania 41, the recognition was amended. WWE retroactively declared the Universal Championship retired at the moment Rhodes defeatedRoman Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Championship atWrestleMania XL.
^The title was named the WWE Tag Team Championship during his first three reigns.
^Hillhouse, Dave (May 8, 2010)."Smackdown!: All about the Championships".Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. RetrievedMay 13, 2010.
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