🌟 Cody Rhodes
✅ Nickname: “The American Nightmare”
✅ Catchphrase: “Finish the Story”
✅ Type: All-Rounder / Storyteller / Technical Fighter
📌 Basic Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Cody Garrett Runnels |
| Born | June 30, 1985 |
| Hometown | Marietta, Georgia, USA |
| Height | 185 cm (6’1”) |
| Weight | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
| Promotion | WWE |
| Debut | 2006 |
✅ Signature Moves: Cross Rhodes, Disaster Kick, Cody Cutter
✅ Iconic Match: vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 40)
🏆 Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Made his WWE main roster debut, won Tag Team Championship with Hardcore Holly |
| 2010 | Reinvented himself as “Dashing” Cody Rhodes in singles competition |
| 2011 | Won the Intercontinental Championship and introduced a new belt design |
| 2013 | Teamed up with Goldust as “The Rhodes Brothers” |
| 2016 | Left WWE, found success in the independent scene, NJPW, and ROH |
| 2019 | Became one of the founding members of AEW, won the TNT Championship |
| 2022 | Shocked the world by returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38, feuding with Seth Rollins |
| 2023 | Won the Royal Rumble, challenged Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 but fell short |
| 2024 | Defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 to become Undisputed WWE Champion |
💡 Key Contributions:
✅ Left WWE, reinvented himself, and returned as a main event-caliber star
✅ Played a key role in the founding of AEW, helping reshape modern wrestling
✅ Won the Royal Rumble and headlined WrestleMania, proving himself as a top star
✅ Embraced the “Finish the Story” narrative, leading to his WWE Championship victory
📺 Iconic Matches
▶ vs. Seth Rollins (Hell in a Cell 2022) – A legendary match where Cody fought despite a torn pectoral muscle
▶ vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 39) – A high-stakes title match that ended in heartbreak
▶ vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 40) – The match where Cody finally finished the story
▶ vs. Dustin Rhodes (AEW Double or Nothing 2019) – An emotional brother vs. brother showdown
▶ vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2023) – A decisive battle that ended his feud with Lesnar
📖 Match Breakdown: Historic Matches – Cody Rhodes
🎵 Entrance Theme
• “Kingdom” 🎶 (Used since AEW and continued in WWE)
💡 Highlights:
✅ The lyrics symbolize Cody’s journey and the completion of his story
✅ Fans chant “WHOA-OH!” in unison during his entrance
✅ A theme song fitting for a WrestleMania main event star
📊 Wrestler Rating (WWE 2K25: 96 / 100)
| Category | Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ★★★★☆ | Creative move set and versatile striking ability |
| Defense | ★★★★☆ | Fights through injuries, showcasing resilience |
| Physical | ★★★★☆ | Strong endurance, capable of high-caliber performances |
| IQ | ★★★★★ | Excellent ring awareness and storytelling ability |
| Charisma | ★★★★★ | One of the best promo skills in modern wrestling |
➡ Overall Rating: 96 / 100 (A+ Rank)
🔍 Analysis
Cody Rhodes is one of the few wrestlers who left WWE, built his own legacy, and returned as a bigger star than ever.
He overcame the shadow of being “Dusty Rhodes’ son” and carved his own path, ultimately establishing himself as “The American Nightmare.”
With the “Finish the Story” narrative, Cody finally captured the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, fulfilling a dream that his father, Dusty Rhodes, never accomplished.
🔥 Key Rivals
• Seth Rollins (His first major WWE feud after returning, winning three straight matches)
• Roman Reigns (Defeated him at WrestleMania 39 but finally triumphed at WrestleMania 40)
• Brock Lesnar (Engaged in a brutal feud in 2023, culminating at SummerSlam)
• Dustin Rhodes (Their AEW match was one of the most emotional battles in modern wrestling)
• Malakai Black (AEW) (Had a memorable rivalry outside WWE)
📝 Summary
✅ Successfully transitioned from mid-card to main event status
✅ Left WWE, became a key figure in AEW, then returned as a top WWE star
✅ Headlined WrestleMania and completed his journey by winning the WWE Championship
✅ A master storyteller, engaging fans with emotional feuds and compelling promos
✅ Honored his father’s legacy while forging his own
➡ Cody Rhodes has cemented himself as a top-tier WWE superstar, proving that perseverance and storytelling can shape true legends.
