I for one, am hyped for this year’s WrestleMania. Even with a limited card announced thus far I cannot believe that two years in a row Cody Rhodes has found the road to WrestleMania. Despite capturing the hearts of the WWE Universe Cody’s rise to back to back WrestleMania main event status hasn’t been an easy one, and with many challenges between now and WrestleMania lets look at Cody Rhode’s history since returning at WrestleMania 38.
2022 was a wild year for Cody Rhodes in professional wrestling. in February 2022, despite being a EVP for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and a member of its day one roster (est. 2018), Cody announced he (and his wife Brandi) were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract, and as a result would be leaving AEW. The announcement sent waves through the professional wrestling world as the 36 year old wrestling superstar had showed no signs of slowing down. While the path back to the WWE seemed clear for some, other questioned whether a superstar at his level who had seemed to align with much of AEWs “anti-WWE” focused programing would be welcomed back in. Some speculated he would return to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) or pick up where he left off in IMPACT Wrestling (now Total Non-stop Action Wrestling, TNA) or return to the independents. Following much speculation on where exactly Rhodes would land after AEW, it seemed Cody had in fact re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment poised to make is re-debut at the “Granddaddy of ‘Em All” WrestleMania!
Rolling into WrestleMania 38 the “Visionary” Seth “Freakin'” Rollins found himself without a WrestleMania opponent. After weeks of searching Seth “Freakin'” Rollins found himself in the office of the “now” disgraced former Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, Vincent Kennedy McMahon demanding a WrestleMania opponent. Despite his best efforts to push aside Seth “Freakin'” Rollins’ constant inquiries, and after literally stomping on the boss’s desk, McMahon gave Seth “Freakin'” Rollins an opponent, who he would reveal at WrestleMania. Needless to say Seth “Freakin'” Rollins was pleased and the speculation began, WHO will be Seth “Freakin'” Rollins’ opponent, did WWE finally sign Kazuchika Okada?, or did the “American Nightmare” find his way back to the WWE?
An anxious but ready Seth “Freakin'” Rollins made his way to the ring in Arlington, Texas in his usual flair and the lights went out in the AT&T Stadium, after a moment of silence words rang out over the audience “Wrestling Has More Than One Royal Family.” The “American Nightmare” had re-debuted into the WWE Universe! Rhodes was presented exactly how he had been in AEW complete with his signature entrance and music, a rarity for WWE to do for any talent who made their name outside the company. After a hellacious match with Seth “Freakin'” Rollins, where Cody paid homage to his last WWE character Stardust, and looking better than he arguably ever had in AEW, Rhodes emerged victorious. The “American Nightmare” was back in WWE, but why?
The following Monday Night RAW saw the arrival of the “American Nightmare” via special entrance. Cody captivated the audience while finally explaining why he had come back to the WWE. While not taking jabs at AEW he explained how important it was to leave the WWE following his release in 2016. It’s worth mentioning other current WWE Superstars such as Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley benefitted heavily from the same situation of being released, traveling the world and wrestling for other promotions before ultimately coming back to WWE more experienced and ready for WWE’s main event scene. Cody’s experience in NJPW, Ring of Honor, IMPACT Wrestling and AEW had all led him right back to WWE. His focus? The WWE Championship that had alluded his father, the late great Dusty Rhodes his entire career in WWE. Despite the amount of blood sweat and tears his father had given the WWE he was never able to hold the biggest prize in sports entertainment. Cody’s emotional promo got the WWE universe invested in his families story from the jump. Rhodes declared he was back in WWE to finish the story of the Rhodes family ands finally be world champion.
However, Seth “Freakin'” Rollins wasn’t finished with Cody Rhodes just yet. After being handed his WrestleMania loss Seth “Freakin'” Rollins claimed not knowing any information about his opponent beforehand was the unfair and demanded a rematch at WrestleMania BackLash. Cody accepted and after another amazing match between these two opponents, Cody walked away with another victory over the “Monday Night Messiah.” Seth “Freakin'” Rollins wasn’t done as he once again challenged Rhodes to a Hell in a Cell match at the appropriately named Hell in A Cell premium live event (PLE). However, even main event superstars aren’t immune to injury and it was quickly reported that Cody has suffered a legitimate injury ahead of the PLE, a torn pectoral muscle that would see Rhodes miss nine months for surgery and rehabilitation. Against all odds Cody opted to compete in the Hell in a Cell match despite his injury. I had never seen a torn pectoral injury in my life. The discomfort that Cody looked to be in seemed unreal, especially as Seth “Freakin'” Rollins targeted the injury the entire match. “The Visionary” brought more than just vicious offense as he was sporting the black with yellow polka dots on his attire made popular by Cody’s father Dusty Rhodes. After an incredibly painful performance from Rhodes, he once again emerged victorious in one of the most critically acclaimed matches in recent history. Soon after Rhodes had successful surgery and the finishing the story would have to wait.
January 2023 marked the return of the “American Nightmare.” Cody declared himself into the 2023 Royal Rumble, proclaiming it was his first step back on the path to finishing his family’s story. Entering at number thirty, Cody last eliminated the second entrant Gunther to win the 2023 Royal Rumble match. Cody challenged Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 39. In doing so Cody Rhodes caught the ire of another prestigious wrestling family, the descendants of the Samoan Anoaʻi and Maivia in Roman Reign’s Bloodline.
In a tightly contested encounter for the ages Cody would ultimately fail in defeating Roman Reigns thanks to interference from the Bloodline. Suddenly Cody was back at square one, and to much despair of the WWE Universe Roman refused to grant Cody a rematch the following Monday Night Raw. Soon Cody would start his journey back to WrestleMania and like many journeys in professional wrestling it had its own unforeseen challenges ahead.
In agreeance with Roman Reigns, Cody challenged the Bloodline with an opponent meeting his requirements. Roman was met with Brock Lesnar coming to his aid. However has the main event was about to take place Cody was maliciously attacked by Brock Lesnar much to the delight of the Bloodline. At the 2023 WrestleMania BackLash PLE Cody Rhodes defeated Brock Lesnar in front of 18,000 screaming fans in Puerto Rico.
However Lesnar rarely stays down for long, once again attacking the “American Nightmare” during the newly resurrected WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament eventually defeating Rhodes at the 2023 Night of Champions PLE. After earning another opportunity to face Seth “Freakin'” Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, Cody was once again accosted by Lesnar. A third altercation was set for SummerSlam 2023 which saw Cody Rhodes win the feud and get endorsement from his opponent with Brock Lesnar ending the match holding Cody’s hand up in victory.
Cody then regained his focus on the Bloodline. As Roman Reigns’ Bloodline started to show cracks in its foundation after WrestleMania 39 Cody found himself entangled in the story of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s push to dethrone the Bloodline’s Usos’ of their WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Not soon after Cody played an intricall part in setting Jey Uso to main event status following his expulsion from the Bloodline and resignation from WWE. After winning the Undisputed Tag Team Championships from the Judgement Day with Jey Uso, Cody and Jey would defend the titles weekly before interference from the Bloodline and Judgement Day cost them the tag titles. After defeating the Judgement Day and Drew McIntyre with the team of Seth “Freakin'” Rollins, “Main Event” Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and a returning Randy Orton in a War Games match at the 2023 Survivor Series PLE Cody once again set his sights on the Royal Rumble and finishing the story.
At the 2024 Royal Rumble Cody Rhodes would enter from number 15 finally eliminating the returning CM Punk to once again punch his ticket to WrestleMania. Upon winning the match after the obligatory pointing at the WrestleMania sign Cody turned his direction back to the “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns apparently signaling yet another WrestleMania main event between the two.
However the following the Rumble and subsequent shake ups due to legitimate injuries to CM Punk, WWE Storyline seemed to pivot Cody to Seth “Freakin'” Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship rather than Roman Reigns and finishing the story. Cody seemed to hand his main event to the returning Rock, a match many wanted to see over the last few years.
However significant backlash from wrestling fans and the fear from WWE of reliving another “Yes Movement” situation at the WrestleMania XL press conference in Las Vegas Cody Rhodes challenged Roman Reigns for his WWE Undisputed Championship in the main event at WrestleMania XL. An action that would see the Rock align himself with Roman Reigns and the Bloodline against Cody. Following a confrontation that saw the Rock slap Cody Rhodes in the face a tag match is rumored between WWE Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns and The Rock versus Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin'” Rollins for the 2024 Elimination Chamber PLE in Perth, Australia.
Currently as of this writing, there is no set in stone stipulation to the rumored bout but there is much speculation how the Rock will or if at all factor into this years WrestleMania. However for Cody, all signs now point to WrestleMania XL and finishing the story.
