Cody Rhodes

At 38 years old, Cody Rhodes has this physical status:

Cody Garrett Rhodes (born Cody Garrett Runnels; 1986-2006) is an American professional wrestler, promoter, businessman, and comedian best known by the ring name Cody Rhodes or simply Cody.

He is the executive vice president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he also works as an in-ring talent. Rhodes is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and the half-brother of former WWE wrestler Goldust.

He followed his father and older brother's footsteps into the ranks and joined WWE in 2006, first being assigned to the company's rural territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

After being promoted to WWE's main roster in 2007 and remained there for nine years, first as Stardust and later as Crown Champion.

Rhodes was a two-time Intercontinental Champion and a prolific tag team wrestler, winning six world Tag Team Championships (three World Tag Team Championships and three WWE Tag Team Championships) with four separate tag team partners during his time with WWE.

Since requesting his freedom in May 2016, Rhodes left WWE. Rhodes started wrestling on the independent circuit after being dropped from WWE, as well as several appearances in Total Nonstop Action (TNA).

He appeared at WWE's WrestleMania (ROH) and the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) Final Battle and the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) World War II (NJPW) Championship Battles from early 2016 to early 2017, as well as appearing for TNA at Bound for Glory in the time frame from early 2016 to early 2017.

Rhodes competed in ROH, OH, where he became a one-time ROH World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time ROH World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion (with The Young Bucks), one-time ROH World Heavyweight Champion and a one-time ROH World Heavyweight Champion (with The Young Bucks), one-time ROH World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team ROH World Heavyweight National Wrestling Alliance ROH's he defeated ROH's ROH World Heavyweight Champion (due ROH World Wrestling Alliance ROH World Six-Man Tag Team ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Captain ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Captain ROH World Heavyweight Champion (with ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion (with ROH World Six-Man ROH World Six-Man Team Captain ROH World Six-Man Tag Team All-Man Championship) and one-Man Championship (with The Young Bucks) &aposedophe Heine (with ROH) Defin September 2017 ROH World Heavyweight Champion of ROH U.

Early life

Rhodes was born Cody Garrett Runnels Jr., a highly successful professional wrestler, and his second wife Michelle Rubio on Sunday, June 30, 1985. He has two half-sisters from his father's first marriage, in addition to half-brother Dustin. When he was a child, Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes was officially changed to Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes. Rhodes attended Lassiter High School and had a fruitful high school wrestling career. As a sophomore, he finished eighth in the 171 lb (78 kg) division. He won the Georgia state tournament at 189 lb (86 kg) as a junior and then returned as champion his senior year. He had intended to wrestle collegiately at Penn State University but instead became a professional wrestler. Rhodes served as a referee in his father's Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion during his time in high school. Rhodes went to an acting school after graduating high school.

Personal life

Rhodes has a partial Cuban descent through his maternal grandfather. Dustin Runnels, his father, and his half-brother, Dustin Rhodes, who is best known for his ring names Goldust and Dustin Rhodes, is better known as "The American Dream" on television. Cody and Dustin inducted their father into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31, 2007. Teil Gergel and Kristin Ditto, both from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, have two brothers. He is the nephew of former professional wrestlers Jerry Sags and Fred Ottman, as well as Magnum T. A.'s godson.

Brandi Reed, Rhodes' fellow professional wrestler, married him in September 2013. They have one child together.

Rhodes, a fan of The Legend of Zelda video game collection, incorporates its look in his wrestling gear and has stated that he repeats A Link to the Past every year. Rhodes has also devoted himself to comic books, and has adorned wrestling boots based on X-Men characters Archangel and Mister Sinister. Along with the Inhumans and the Inhumans, he has cited Omega Red and Cyclops as his favorite fictional characters, and he owns a game cabinet from 1992 X-Men arcade game.

Source

Professional wrestling career

Cody Rhodes owes to his father, Dusty Rhodes, for starting his wrestling lessons when Cody was just 12 years old; the emphasis was mainly to simple fundamentals and taking bumps. Al Snow, Danny Davis, Randy Orton, and Ricky Morton all contributed to his education. Rhodes, Cody Runnels, was born in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in May 2006. On May 13, he lost to Pat Buck in their first match at an OVW live event in Corydon, Indiana.

In mid-August 2006, Runnels formed a tag team with Shawn Spears, and they quickly became embroiled in a feud with the Untouchables over the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship. They won the championship from The Untouchables on October 18. Runnels and Spears beat The Untouchables in a tag team match in November 2006 and gained the services of Cherry, the Untouchables' boss. Cherry accompanied Spears and Runnels to ringside, and soon Spears and Spears fell in love with her, and their matches began to clash. After a match between The Untouchables and Runnels and Spears that resulted in a draw, the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship was canceled on November 29. The following week, a rematch between the two teams was scheduled for the vacant championship. Cherry made the OVW Southern Tag Team Championships out of a match between Spears and Runnels, rejoining The Untouchables and assisting them in recovering the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship. For the second time, Runnels and Spears defeated Deuce 'n Domino in a street fight to win the championship for the second time.

After Spears became jealous of Runnels' success as a singles wrestler, Spears and Spears became involved in a scripted feud with each other shortly afterward. Runnels won the OVW Heavyweight Championship from Paul Burchill at a house show on February 17, 2007, but then lost it to Burchill the next day. In reaction, Spears won the OVW Television Championship. The team lost the Southern Tag Team Championship to Justin LaRouche and Charles Evans on April 11. Runnels debuted himself on July 6 to become the new OVW Television Champion. In a Lumberjack match, he lost the title to Spears one week later. As he and Shawn Spears fought in the Steel Cage, Runnels' last televised match in OVW ended in a no contest. Rhodes inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2007, the night before WrestleMania 23.

Runnels made his television debut on July 2, 2007, using his family's wrestling last name, Rhodes, in a backstage interview with his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton, where Orton introduced himself to Rhodes and then slap Dusty as a sign of disrespect. Rhodes beat Orton in their first WWE match on July 9, and Rhodes was defeated by Orton the following week. Rhodes appeared at The Great American Bash to discourage Orton from further attacking his father. Orton was defeated by the next night in a rematch from last week, only to lose again. Orton thrashed Rhodes' father in the head. Since being pinned on July 30 Raw to keep his job, Rhodes' next storyline was a feud with Daivari. He also feuded with The World's Greatest Tag Team, defeating both players, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin in singles matches. Rhodes, along with Paul London and Brian Kendrick, defeated The World's Greatest Tag Team and Daivari in a six-man tag team match, bringing the two rivals together. Rhodes and Mickie James teamed up with Mickie James to defeat Daivari and Jillian Hall, putting an end to their scripted rivalry.

He started a feud with Hardcore Holly three weeks ago and lost three straight matches to him. Holly eventually earned Holly's trust, impressing Holly during their matches with his tenacity and numerous near-falls, and the two teams formed a tag team. They qualified for a chance at the World Tag Team Championship by defeating Paul London and Brian Kendrick and The Highlanders. In what was Rhodes' first on-screen title shot and pay-per-view match, they lost to Tag Team Champions Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch at Survivor Series. Rhodes defeated Holly on November 19 for the fourth time, although both were allegedly beaten by Randy Orton afterwards. Rhodes and Holly Moore defeated Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch in the World Tag Team Championship on December 10, 2007, marking Rhodes' first appearance in WWE. On the following episode of Raw, they also defeated Cade and Murdoch in a rematch for the championships.

Rhodes ranked 13th in his first Royal Rumble match appearance at the 2008 Royal Rumble pay-per-view, lasted more than 23 minutes before being eliminated by Triple H in a pre-show battle royal to determine the top contender for the ECW Championship at WrestleMania XXIV, but he was disqualified by Kane. On the pre-show of the Judgment Day celebrations, Rhodes and Holly became embroiled in a feud with Carlito and Santino Marella.

Ted DiBiase began feuding with the pair in May 2008, threatening to reclaim their titles in his first match as part of the Raw label. Rhodes shocked Holly by announcing himself as Ted DiBiase's partner, who helped DiBiase win the match and also became a two-time World Tag Team Champion at the pay-per-view tournament, Night of Champions on June 29, proving himself to assist DiBiase in victory and also became a two-time World Tag Team Champion.

On the August 4, 2008 episode of Raw, they dropped the championship to John Cena and Batista after being on the losing streak for less than a month. Raw, DiBiase, and Rhodes recovered the championship after a week on Raw, DiBiase, and Rhodes' rematch clause helped them regained the crown. The tag team championships against Cryme Tyme were successfully defended at Unforgiven, Rhodes, and DiBiase. Manu, the son of Afa, joined Rhodes and DiBiase in September, forming a stable of multi-generational wrestlers. Kofi Kingston and CM Punk lost the World Tag Team Championship to Raw, Rhodes, and DiBiase on October 27.

Orton, who frequently mocked and insulted them and attacked DiBiase, appeared on Raw, Rhodes, DiBiase, and Manu on November 3, 2008. In the annual Elimination match, she was a survivor, for Orton's team and Survivor Series, Rhodes, Rhodes, along with Orton. Rhodes and Manu accepted Orton's invitation for a friendship in the coming weeks, and the threesome, including Batista and Triple H. Orton, were banned from participating in physical testing for The Legacy members, so they could prove themselves and, in a two-on-three handicap match against Batista and Triple H. Orton, were disqualified.

Raw, Snuka, and Manu gave Rhodes the opportunity to attack Orton alongside the returning DiBiase on January 12, 2009. When they bebushed Orton, DiBiase joined Orton and Rhodes to attack Snuka and Manu, becoming a Legacy member. Rhodes entered the Royal Rumble match in order to help Orton win, but Stephanie and Stephanie McMahon were thrown out of the tournament after being invited by Triple H. Rhodes and DiBiase to hurt Shane and Stephanie McMahon, and Stephanie's real-life husband, Triple H. Rhodes, was promoted to main event status as a result of joining the Legacy, competing in handicap and six-man tag team matches against Orton's opponents and rivalry

Orton defeated Triple H, Batista, and Shane McMahon in a six-man tag team match on April 26, which resulted in Orton winning the WWE Championship, per the pre-match stipulation. Rhodes sustained a minor neck injury in June but carried on working. Rhodes and DiBiase will then focus on the WWE Tag Team Championships once more. In a match won by Chris Jericho and Edge, they met champions Carlito and Primo in a triple threat match for the championships. They were also unsuccessful in attempting to win the Night of Champions when they were defeated by Jeri-Show.

Rhodes and DiBiase continued to compete against and oppose Orton's opponents, particularly Triple H, during the summerslam, including Shawn Michaels. Rhodes and DiBiase defeated D-X in a pay-per-view tournament, Breaking Point in a submissions count anywhere match, but they were disqualified in a Cell match at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view in October after Rhodes was pinched following a sledgehammer shot to the head in a Cell match at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Rhodes appeared at the first Bragging Rights pay-per-view in October, reluctantly partnering with D-X. Team SmackDown will win the game. Orton was aided by a Survivor Series in his rivalry with Kofi Kingston, and he and DiBiase were both part of Team Orton (against Team Kingston). Kingston would defeat Orton in the match to be the sole survivor.

At the 2010 Royal Rumble, tensions within The Legacy became apparent as Rhodes attempted to interfere in Orton's match for the WWE Championship. Rhodes was disqualified by the referee, who had tried to assist Rhodes after the match and was disqualified for Orton, who had assaulted Rhodes and DiBiase. Orton defeated Sheamus in a non-title match on February 15, but she was disqualified again after Rhodes and DiBiase interfered. Rhodes intervened during the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match pay-per-view, delivering a lead pipe through the cage to DiBiase. Orton was evicted from the match after DiBiase struck Orton with the pipe and banned him from the match. Orton assaulted Rhodes and DiBiase during a six-man tag team match on Raw, and the following week, they assaulted Orton in revenge. Orton defeated Rhodes and DiBiase in a triple threat match at WrestleMania XXVI, which culminated in a triple threat match.

Rhodes was introduced to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2010 WWE supplemental draft. He made his company debut on SmackDown on April 30 by defeating John Morrison. Following SmackDown, Rhodes, Rhodes competed in a tournament for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship but lost to Christian in the semi-finals. In the second season of NXT, Rhodes mentored Husky Harris, a third-generation wrestler. At the first ever Money in the Bank ladder match, Rhodes would compete in the Money in the Bank ladder match, but it was unsuccessful due to Kane's win of the match.

Rhodes, the narcissistic gimmick, launched a new narcissistic gimmick, claiming to be the best-looking wrestler in WWE and requesting to be named "Dashing" Cody Rhodes on June 25. Vignettes debuted in which Rhodes gave "grooming tips" as part of the gimmick. He was extremely protective of his face during matches; if he was struck in the chest, he threw a fit and looked at his mirror. After a match, he assaulted Christian and Drew McIntyre, and the pair even attacked Matt Hardy, who was forming a team. In a Tag Team Turmoil match at Night of Champions in September, Rhodes and McIntyre captured the WWE Tag Team Championship. Rhodes and McIntyre lost the championship to The Nexus in Bragging Rights (John Cena and David Otunga). Rhodes and McIntyre broke up their alliance on the October 29 SmackDown after losing a tag team match.

Rhodes defeated Rey Mysterio in a match on January 21, 2011, during which Mysterio struck Rhodes in the chest and partially broke Rhodes' nose, resulting in Rhodes' dismissal and needing facial reconstructive surgery. Rhodes was off television for several weeks. On his return to work, he wore a black protective mask over his face and colluded with his father to assault Mysterio and take off Mysterio's mask. Rhodes also used his protective mask as a weapon in matches by headbutting opponents and then whacking their opponents. Rhodes said that his time as Undashing Cody Rhodes was his second best work as a pro wrestler in 2020. Rhodes defeated Mysterio in a match at WrestleMania XXVII on April 3. At the Extreme Rules pay-per-view in May, the pair also competed in a Falls Count Anywhere match, which was also won by Mysterio.

During his interviews, SmackDown's WrestleMania XXVII, Rhodes, will give out paper bags to the audience during future episodes of SmackDown. Rhodes begged the audience to place the paper bags on their heads to mask their ugliness and infirmities because they offended him. Since playing with them, Rhodes has also put paper bags over several of his opponents' heads. Rhodes revived his relationship with Ted DiBiase on May 20 SmackDown, and the pair continued to feud with Sin Cara and Daniel Bryan. Rhodes competed in the Money in the Bank ladder match for the second time at a monthly Money in the Bank pay-per-view, but was dissatisfied as Bryan took the game.

Rhodes won the Intercontinental Championship, defeating Ezekiel Jackson in his first singles title with the firm at the tapings on August 9 at the SmackDown tapings. Rhodes and DiBiase had a verbal dispute with Orton the following week. Rhodes defeated DiBiase after the latter lost a singles match to Orton, ending their partnership and resulting in an Intercontinental Championship match between the two teams at Night of Champions. Rhodes won. Rhodes had started a feud with Orton on September 9, with Orton winning Rhodes on the September 9 SmackDown, but Rhodes shocked Orton on the September 12 Raw when Mark Henry distracted Orton. Rhodes defeated Orton by disqualification on September 23 when Orton took Rhodes' mask off and smacked him with it. Orton fought Rhodes with the timekeeper's alarm, practically cutting Rhodes and causing him to bleed. SmackDown, Rhodes, author Chris Carter, said he needed nine staples to close the wound.

Rhodes debuted a new model for the Intercontinental Championship on October 2, which featured a white strap and plates similar to the title's classic 1980s style, before successfully defending it against John Morrison. Rhodes continued feuding with Orton during their time together as part of Legacy, costing him the World Heavyweight Championship and attacking him. Rhodes was defeated by Orton in a non-title match at Vengeance. Orton defeated Rhodes in a Street Fight to bring an end to the feud on November 4; in the process, Orton broke Rhodes' mask. Rhodes regained his mask on Friday, saying Orton had freed him, signaling the end of his masked gimmick. Rhodes was the sole survivor of Team Captain Wade Barrett's classic Survivor Series match against Team Orton at Survivor Series.

Rhodes then feuded with SmackDown commentator Booker T, blaming him from behind on several occasions and retaining the Intercontinental Championship against him at Tables, Ladders & Chairs on January 6, 2012 SmackDown. Rhodes lasted more than 40 minutes and cut more wrestlers than any other competitor with six in the 2012 Royal Rumble match before being disqualified by Big Show. In the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match, Rhodes pinned Big Show before being disqualified by Santino Marella. Rhodes spent the following weeks chronicling Big Show's embarrassing moments in previous WrestleManias, causing the Big Show to lose matches in the process. Rhodes lost the Intercontinental Championship to the Big Show in WrestleMania XVIII, snapping his near-eviction of 233 days.

Following the loss at WrestleMania, Rhodes went on a brief losing streak due to Big Show distracting him during matches. Rhodes regained control at Extreme Rules by winning a Tables match four weeks after losing the title. Rhodes regained his status against Big Show in a rematch after being counted out on May 7's episode. Rhodes lost the Intercontinental Championship to the returning Christian two weeks later at Over the Limitation. In a rematch for the title at No Way Out, he will lose to Christian. SmackDown, Rhodes, and David Otunga were defeated by Christian and United States Champion Santino Marella in a Money in the Bank qualifier match for the World Heavyweight Championship on June 29 due to Otunga being pinned. Rhodes said he had not lost and had a second chance later. The WWE Board of Directors gave Rhodes another shot on Super SmackDown Live, defeating Christian to gain a spot in the match. He was dissatisfied with Money in the Bank because Dolph Ziggler won the match. Rhodes failed to capture the Intercontinental Championship from The Miz on September 16 in a fatal-four-way match involving Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara.

Rhodes later aligned himself with Damien Sandow, a member of Tag Team Champions Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) on the September 24 Raw. The team, now known as "Rhodes Scholars," won a Tag Team Championship tournament to advance to the Tag Team Championships, but they were defeated twice by the champions. Rhodes was forced to leave his traditional five-on-five tag team match at Survivor Series due to a concussion and a strained shoulder.

Rhodes recovered from injury on the 10th Raw, sporting a mustache, and Sandow defeated Primo & Epico, The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil), and The Usos in a vital four-way tag team elimination match in which the right to face Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara in a tense four-way tag team elimination match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. Team Rhodes Scholars defeated Mysterio and Sin Cara on Friday, becoming the top contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championship six days after, according to the pay-per-view. On the next Main Event episode, Team Rhodes Scholars received their championship shots, but Team Hell No. defeated them once more. Team Rhodes Scholars from Raw defeated Team Hell No. 1 in a non-title match on January 7, 2013 and earn another shot at the WWE Tag Team Championship. On January 27, the championship rematch took place at the Royal Rumble, where Team Rhodes Scholars struggled to win the tag team championships for the second time. Rhodes and Sandow's SmackDown Scholars have both agreed to leave Team Rhodes Scholars and remain "best friends" for the foreseeable future. Brodus Clay and Tensai's team defeated them during a reunion during Elimination Chamber's pre-show on February 17. Rhodes and Sandow joined The Bella Twins as they began feuding with Tons of Funk (Brodus Clay and Tensai) and The Funkadactyls (Cameron and Naomi). The two teams had intended to meet together in an eight-person mixed tag team match at WrestleMania 29, but they were unable to meet in a match due to time constraints. Tons of Funk and The Funkadactyls were victorious on Raw the next night.

Rhodes took the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank ladder match on July 14th, but only after Sandow turned on Rhodes and tossed him off the ladder just as Rhodes was expected to win the match. Sandow and dissolved Team Rhodes Scholars were attacked on Raw, Rhodes, the first time since 2008. Rhodes took the briefcase from Sandow and threw it into the Gulf of Mexico on July 26, but Sandow was unable to save it because he couldn't swim. Rhodes gave Sandow the brief summary that he recovered from the Gulf of Mexico but retained the deal as a whole. Rhodes continued his feud with Sandow on the same week as SmackDown by preventing Sandow from earning in his new Money in the Bank contract on a struggling Alberto Del Rio. Rhodes defeated Sandow in a singles match on August 18, now without a mustache, and the following night on Raw, who continued on Raw. Raw, Rhodes' next week, Rhodes teamed with The Miz to defeat Sandow and Fandango, putting an end to the feud.

Rhodes was told not to speak out against Chief Operating Officer Triple H's authoritarian rule as a result of speaking out against Chief Operating Officer Triple H's authoritarian rule as a result of his appearance against WWE Champion Randy Orton in a non-title match; Rhodes was deemed "fired" by Rhodes. Brandi Reed, who was previously known on film as Eden, was given a timeline in order to give Rhodes some time off for his marriage and honeymoon. Rhodest brother Goldust suffered to Orton as a result of Cody's reinstatement, while his father Dusty Rhodes was knocked out by Big Show while pleading for his sons to get their jobs back. The vengeful Rhodes brothers screamed Rawl overturned by pointing at The Shield.

When they defeated the WWE Tag Team Champions, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in a non-title match on October 6, Rhodes and Goldust recovered their jobs. With the support of Big Show, the Rhodes brothers defeated Reigns and Rollins in a no disqualification match on the October 14 Raw to win the tag title. In a triple threat match against the Uso's and The Shield, they successfully defended the championships. Team Rhodes, now known as The Brotherhood, was dissatisfied with their traditional five-on-five elimination tag team match against Team Shield in the Survivor Series.

Cody Rhodes and Goldust will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Real Americans (Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro), RybAxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel), and Big Show and Rey Mysterio in a crucial four-way tag team match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, on December 13 SmackDown. The tag titles were changed to The New Age Outlaws at Royal Rumble, Rhodes, and Goldust. Goldust mistakenly eliminated Rhodes right before Roman Reigns disqualified Goldust in the Royal Rumble match itself. In a match on Raw after the Royal Rumble, Goldust and Rhodes faced the Outlaws, resulting in a no contest after Brock Lesnar struck them both. The championship match was then postponed for the February 3 Raw in a steel cage, which The New Age Outlaws won. The Brotherhood vanquished the RybAxel at the Elimination Chamber.

The first ever Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place in WrestleMania XXX Rhodes, but the match was lost by Cesaro. On the 5th episode of RAW with Dean Ambrose's United States Championship on the line, he will compete in another battle royal, but Sheamus will take the crown. The Brotherhood sparked energy and went on a string of losses in multiple matches. Cody told Goldust that he and his brother were the best tag team partner after losing to Curtis Axel and Ryback at Payback. Rhodes tried to find a new brother for his brother after Payback, causing Sin Cara, R-Truth, and Kofi Kingston to replace him in the team, both times losing to Axel and Ryback.

With face paint, a bodysuit, and demeanors similar to Goldust, Rhodes introduced a new character called Stardust (a ring name used by his father during his time in the American Wrestling Association). He teamed up with his brother to defeat RybAxel that night, and then spent money in the Bank and on Raw. In a non-title match, Stardust and Goldust defeated the WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos on August 18. This resulted in a rematch of Stardust and Goldust on August 25 Raw, in which the Usos were defeated by countout, but did not win the titles. Both Stardust and Goldust charged The Usos after the match. Stardust and Goldust defeated the Usos to become WWE Tag Team Champions for their second year as a team at Night of Champions. They were able to defeat The Usos in a Cell at Hell in a Cell. They lost the championship to Damien Mizdow and The Mizdow in a deadly four-way tag team match involving The Usos and Los Matadores that was also involving The Usos and Los Matadores next month, while losing a match on Raw next month. They lost to the newly formed team at TLC The New Day is TLC.

The Ascension put Goldust and Stardust into disarray in early February 2015, and Stardust reignited tensions, with Stardust expressing his resentment at Goldust. After the match, Goldust called Stardust "Cody" and Stardust told Goldust that he would never mention him by that name again. Stardust executed Cross Rhodes on Goldust after a tag match on February 16, dissolving the team. Cody Rhodes was dead, and Dusty may as well be. At Fastlane, Goldust and Stardust met, which Goldust won. Afterwards, Stardust attacked Goldust backstage, claiming to his father that he had killed Cody Rhodes. After Goldust won a match against Adam Rose while pretending to be one of Rose's Rosebuds in a costume suit, Stardust also attacked Goldust. The feud came to an end when Stardust was later involved in the Intercontinental Championship ladder match at WrestleMania 31, which was won by Daniel Bryan.

Stardust responded to John Cena's United States Championship open challenge on April 6th, but she didn't win the title. In the 2015 King of the Ring and Payback pre-show, R-Truth defeated Stardust. The Stardust character grew to look like a comic book supervillain, which led to him being involved in a storyline rivalry with actor Stephen Amell. After confronting Amell on the May 25 Raw, Stardust renamed his finishing move The Queen's Crossbow, after Oliver Queen, Amell's character from Arrow. Following a brief absence due to his father's death, Stardust returned to Raw on July 13 Raw, defeating Neville, sparking a new rivalry between the two teams. Stardust then went on a winning streak, defeating R-Truth, Zack Ryder, and Fandango. Following his match with King Barrett, he attacked Neville, as well as Stephen Amell, resulting in Amell attacking Stardust. In a tag team match between Amell and Neville, Amell, Stardust, and Barrett were defeated.

The Ascension joined Stardust by attacking Neville before their match, forming the group "The Cosmic Wasteland" on September 3rd. They defeated Neville and The Lucha Dragons in a six-man tag team match on Night of Champions. The Colosmic Wasteland Company was unsuccessfully partnered with The Miz and Bo Dallas against The Dudley Boyz, Goldust, Neville, and Titus O'Neil. Stardust took home Stephen Amell's trophy for the year's best celebrity of the year during the 2015 Slammy Awards. During his rivalry with Titus O'Neil, who tried to convince Stardust to return to being Cody Rhodes, he went back to being Cody Rhodes. He defeated Fandango on January 12 to qualify for the 2016 Royal Rumble match. Triple H. fought royal Rumble Stardust in the 30-Man event, with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship also on the line.

Following the Rumble, he defeated Darren Young on the January 25 episode of Superstars and Zack Ryder on the February 1 episode. Stardust competed in a five-way match for the Intercontinental Championship on February 15, but did not win the tournament. In a losing effort, he later met Sami Zayn at the Roadblock festival. Stardust defeated Zack Ryder in a seven-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship, which was won by Zack Ryder. On television, Stardust defeated Apollo Crews four times, followed by a loss to Zack Ryder on the May 20 episode of Superstars.

Rhodes denied his freedom from WWE on May 21, 2016, which was legally granted the following day. Rhodes cited writers' frustrations with WWE's creative team and his role within the company as the reasons for his resignation, stating that he had "pleaded" with writers to bring an end to the Stardust gimmick for more than six months and pitched several storyline ideas that had been ignored. Following his stint with Legacy, Rhodes was "used as more of a lower and mid-card wrestler in a variety of roles," Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer wrote, "his career had failed to flourish" and he hadn't been used properly." Rhodes "had been floundering as the Stardust character over the past year or so," Pro Wrestling Torch's James Caldwell said, with most of them landing on Superstars or Main Event. Rhodes' departure, according to Pro Wrestling Dot Net's Jason Powell, was "surprising in the sense that Cody and his family have been with WWE for so long." "I can't say I blame him a little," Pro Wrestling Insider's Dave Scherer wrote. And not even a little bit. WWE never gave him a chance, and that's just sad to me." Rhodes revealed WWE Executive Vice President Triple H's reaction to his WWE departure in September 2019, where Rhodes said:

Despite that, Rhodes has regularly discussed WWE in the years since his departure, adding that there are no grudges between him and the organization, and that any decisions made regarding him are mostly business-based. This included WWE upgrading the Intercontinental Championship belt (whose 2011–2019 style was introduced in Rhodes) in 2019, right around the time AEW launched being a coincidence rather than attempting to distinguish themselves from Rhodes, as Rhodes himself acknowledged that the physical belt needed to be changed anyway.

Rhodes continued to function under his own name on the independent circuit, but he avoided contact with WWE in order to avoid conflict with WWE. Rhodes' first post-WWE match was for Evolve, Maryland, defeating Zack Sabre Jr. by submission. Rhodes called out Drew Galloway after the match. He lost to Chris Hero the next day.

From August 25 to 28, Rhodes wrestled for the Northeast Wrestling promotion. In Pomona, New York, he defeated Brian Anthony in a match against Ricky Steamboat as the guest referee. Rhodes defeated Mike Bennett in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on August 25 (the match was announced on June 3 and their wives were in their corners). Kurt Angle defeated him in Wappingers Falls, New York, on August 27. Rhodes defeated Sami Callihan in Bangor, Maine, on August 28, Maine.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) announced on June 6 that Rhodes would be competing in their annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament. Cody R. Rhodes, a member of the National Guard, defeated Sami Callihan in his first round match of the tournament on September 3. Rhodes was eliminated from the tournament by eventual winner Marty Scurll on the following day.

Rhodes defeated Sonjay Dutt for the GFW NEX*GEN Championship on November 26 at WrestleCade's Showcase of Champions. Rhodes appeared in Northeast Wrestling (NEW) in Connecticut on March 3, 2017, defeating Kurt Angle in a steel cage match. Cody defeated Mike Bennett for the NEW Heavyweight Championship on March 18, 2017. Rhodes lost the NEW Heavyweight Championship to Flip Gordon in a triple-kill match on December 1, 2017.

He made his debut with What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) at the iPPV Refuse to Lose in 2016, defeating Doug Williams under the ring name Cody Rhodes on October 6, 2016. Joseph Conners were unsuccessfully beaten by Joseph Conners for the WCPW Championship the following day. In a losing effort, Rhodes faced Kurt Angle at True Legacy. Rhodes presented El Ligero with a challenge for the WCPW Internet Championship, which Ligero accepted. Rhodes, a WCPW Internet Championships runner, defeated El Ligero in the WCPW Internet Championship on November 30 and retained his GFW NEX-GEN Championship at the same time in a championship match for a title.

In a triple threat match involving Joe Hendry, No Regrets, Rhodes lost the WCPW Internet Championship to Gabriel Kidd on April 29, 2017. Rhodes took part in a royal fight for the WCPW Championship later that night, but Joe Coffey defeated him. Rhodes defeated former WCPW Champion Drew Galloway in his last match with WCPW on the following day.

Dave Meltzer predicted in May that an independent wrestling show would not be able to sell out a ten thousand seat arena in the United States. Rhodes and The Young Bucks disputed the theory by arranging a show specifically for the sake of attracting ten thousand spectators. In May 2018, it was announced that the show would be called All In. Tickets to "All In" sold out in 30 minutes on May 13, 2018. Cody defeated Nick Aldis to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on September 1st. In a two-out-three falls match at the NWA 70th Anniversary Show on October 21, Cody lost the title back to Aldis.

Rhodes revealed on July 19, 2016, Rhodes confirmed that he would attend Ring of Honor's (ROH) Final Battle pay-per-view on December 2, 2016. The ROH made the formal announcement the next day. Rhodes, who had simply been branded Cody, shocked Jay Lethal after a low blow, before proceeding to torture ROH fans and heckled ROH commentator Steve Corino. Cody defeated Corino on the January 18 episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling. Cody was disqualified by Jay Lethal in a Texas Bullrope match at the Supercard of Honor XI event on April 1, the first time Cody was defeated by him in a Texas Bullrope match. Christopher Daniels, the ROH World Champion, was beaten later in the night. Cody unsuccessfully challenged Christopher Daniels for the ROH World Championship on May 12 in a three-way match involving Jay Lethal. Cody won the first ROH World Championship of his career on June 23 at Best in the World. Cody was also listed as the first member of the Rhodes family to win a world championship in 31 years. After Fritz and Kerry Von Erich, Cody and Dusty are the second father-son team to win major world championships in the United States.

Cody had agreed to a multi-year deal with ROH on September 23, according to ROH. Cody, now with bleach blonde hair, lost the ROH World Championship to Dalton Castle on December 15 at Final Battle. The Young Bucks, a member of Bullet Club, defeated The Kingdom in the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship on July 21, 2018, marking his first reign. After a 106-day reign and two very successful title defenses, Cody and The Bucks lost the titles at Survival of the Fittest to The Kingdom on November 4th. At the ROH World Championship in Final Battle, Cody met Jay Lethal, but he lost the match. Cody was ROH the next day.

Rhodes was set to attend Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) while still working in ROH, with both companies being non-exclusive. Rhodes, billed as Cody, will make his TNA debut for the promotion on October 2 at Bound for Glory, according to TNA. Cody, along with his partner Brandi Rhodes, made his debut as a celebrity at Bound for Glory, bringing on a feud between the two couples that was between Mike Bennett and Maria to begin. Cody did a promo where he put over the business and said he has a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on October 6, but Bennett and Maria interrupted and the segment ended with a brawl. Cody made his in-ring debut on the October 13 episode of Impact Wrestling by defeating Bennett. Cody competed Eddie Edwards for the Impact World Heavyweight Championship on October 20th, but lost the match. Cody and Brandi defeated Bennett and Maria on the October 27 Impact Wrestling Championship. Cody was beaten backstage by Lashley, and this was done to keep him off television.

Cody appeared on Impact Wrestling's February 23, 2017 episode, thanking his wife Brandi while he was away. Cody screamed at Moose's phone number after learning that Brandi had Moose's phone number. He turned heel. Cody unsuccessfully faced Moose for the Impact Grand Championship on March 30. Rhodes' employment with the company came shortly after.

Rhodes, also known as "The American Nightmare" Cody, made his debut as the newest Bullet Club member on December 10, 2016. Cody defeated Juice Robinson in his first match at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2017. Cody returned to NJPW in February following the NJPW and ROH co-production Honor Rising: Japan 2017, which was shown by Japan 2017 photos. Cody challenged Kaduchika Okada to a match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship after defeating Michael Elgin at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall on June 11, Cody defeated him in Osaka-jo Hall. Okada took the match at G1 Special in the United States on July 1st, with Okada winning. Hangman Page, a Cody and Bullet Club stablemate, unsuccessfully challenged War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship in the finals of the G1 Climax 27 on August 13, Cody and Bullet Club's stablemate.

Cody defeated Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on January 4, 2018, in a losing effort. Kenny Omega was attacked by Page at The New Beginning in Sapporo, but was eventually stopped by Ibushi. On July 7, Cody unsuccessfully challenged Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, resulting in a match at the G1 Special in San Francisco. Cody refused to assist Omega and the rest of Bullet Club after the match, as the "BC Firing Squad" of King Haku, Tanga Loa, and Tama Tonga threatened Omega and the rest of the Bullet Club. Cody defeated Robinson to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, his first appearance in NJPW. Cody fell short of defending Omega in a three-way match involving Kota Ibushi at King of Pro-Wrestling on October 8. Cody revealed on October 24, that he was no longer affiliated with Bullet Club, and that he would continue working with Omega, The Young Bucks, Hangman Page, and Marty Scurll as The Elite. Cody lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Robinson at Wrestle Kingdom 13 on January 4, 2019. His profile was taken from the NJPW website on February 7.

Several trademarks were registered in Jacksonville, Florida, in November 2018, indicating the introduction of a new wrestling promotion. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was announced during a conference in Jacksonville, with Cody revealing that he, along with Matt and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, would serve as Executive Vice Presidents as well as on-air talent. Cody and The Young Bucks both completed five-year contracts with the promotion. Cody defeated Dustin Rhodes in their inaugural event on May 25, Double or Nothing. Cody defeated Darby Allin to a time limit draw at Fyter Fest on June 29. Rhodes was struck by Shawn Spears after the match and struck him with a chair shot that caused Rhodes to bleed heavily from the back of his head. Although Rhodes did not have a concussion, he did require 12 surgical staples. MJF, Cody's self-proclaimed best friend, would condemn Spears' behaviour. Later this year, the MJF will be Cody's cornerman for his matches.

Cody emerged victorious over Spears at All Out on August 31. Cody won his first match in singles over 2–0–1, bringing him a match against Chris Jericho at the Full Gear pay-per-view. Cody and The Young Bucks were defeated by Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana, and Ortiz on the premiere episode of Dynamite on October 2, causing the creation of The Inner Circle to rival The Elite. Cody revealed on Dynamite's November 6 episode that if he were to fail at Full Gear, he would never contest for the AEW World Championship again. Cody was unable to win the Jericho championship after MJF threw in the towel. MJF fought Cody the groin after the match.

Cody attempted to obtain a match with MJF over the next month, but Cody refused to touch MJF until the match: he'd have to defeat MJF's bodyguard Wardlow in a steel cage match, and he'd have to take ten lashes with a leather belt, and he'd have to face MJF's bodyguard Wardlow. Cody defeated Wardlow in a steel cage match on February 19, 2020, and Dynamite's Benjamin Warlock arranged the match for the Revolution pay-per-view, after receiving the lashes. At Revolution on February 29, Cody was defeated by MJF at the Cody.

The AEW TNT Championship, a new trophy unveiled on March 30, was revealed in Cody as a participant in an eight-man, single-elimination tournament to crown the inaugural champion. Cody advanced to the finals of the tournament over Shawn Spears and Darby Allin to advance to the finals. Cody defeated Archer in May 23 to become the inaugural TNT champion; Mike Tyson later presented Cody with the championship belt. Cody defended the championship against Jungle Boy, Marq Quen, Ricky Starks, Jake Hager, Sonny Kiss, Warhorse, and Scorpio Sky over the next weeks. On the August 22 episode of Dynamite, Cody lost the championship to Brodie Lee, effectively ending his reign at 82 days (91 days as recognized by the AEW due to tape delay). Cody would be taking a leave of absence from the company, according to a subsequent statement.

Cody appeared on Dynamite's September 23 episode, chastising Brodie Lee and members of his faction, The Dark Order. Cody will win the TNT Championship in a Dog Collar match on October 7, his second appearance with the franchise and also marking Lee's last match before his death in December of this year. Cody Rhodes, now under the full name Cody Rhodes after WWE ceased registering his trademark on the word (against WWE's decision to rename several WCW event names), lost the TNT Championship to Darby Allin at Full Speed on November 7.

Rhodes will launch a feud with internationally famed basketball player Shaquille O'Neal after losing the TNT Championship. Dynamite, Rhodes' Joseph O'Neal and his partner Jade Cargill were defeated in a mixed tag team match on March 3, 2021. Rhodes took part in the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match on March 7 for a future opportunity at the TNT Championship, but Scorpio Sky took the tournament.

After Marshall and his allies Aaron Solow, Nick Comoroto, and rookie Anthony Ogogo assaulted Rhodes after a match, Rhodes' on the 31 episode of Dynamite, Rhodes began a feud with Q. T. Marshall. Rhodes defeated Marshall at the Blood and Guts festival on May 5, then moved to beat Ogogo later this month. Rhodes defeated Marshall in a South Beach Strap match on July 7, putting an end to the feud. Rhodes and the debuting Malakai Black erupted after this feud. Rhodes was stifled by Black at the Homecoming event on August 4, 2008. Rhodes returned to face Black in a rematch at Grand Slam on September 22, but he was still defeated. Rhodes eventually defeated Black on the October 23 episode of Dynamite. Rhodes teamed up with Pac against Black and Andrade El Idolo in a winning effort at Full Gear. Rhodes defeated Andrade in a street brawl in Atlanta on December 1st.

Rhodes won the TNT Championship for the third time on December 25 in the special Holiday Bash episode of Rampage. Rhodes lost the title back to Guevara in a highly coveted ladder competition at the Beach Break event on January 26, 2022. This will be Rhodes' last match in AEW, as many sources claim he and his wife Brandi left the service on February 15, 2022, as they were unable to agree on a new deal.

Multiple sources rumors that Rhodes had signed a WWE deal on March 18, 2022. Rhodes was crowned Seth "Freakin" Rollins' surprise opponent on the first night of WrestleMania 38, defeating Rollins. Rhodes claimed that he returned to WWE to win the championship that his father, Dusty Rhodes, never got to hold on the following episode of Raw. Rhodes then defeated Rollins once more in a rematch at WrestleMania Backlash. Rhodes suffered a legitimate pectoral muscle tear during the eponymous contest, which had occurred halfway through a brawl on the previous episode of Raw. When Rhodes was weight training in the days leading up to the event, the injury was exacerbated completely off the bone. He entered Hell in a Cell with a large spot of discolored skin, but he beat Rollins for the third time despite the severe injury. The match five stars were rated by Dave Meltzer, the first WWE main roster match since 2011 to receive such a rating. Rhodes talked about his injury during a bank preview, but Rollins came out and shook his hand, then Rollins assaulted him from behind as Rhodes began to leave, and Rhodes screamed his hand. Rhodes underwent successful surgery to repair a torn right pectoral tendon, but was out of action for nine weeks. Rhodes appeared in a pre-taped vignette discussing the Rollins' injury and attack, in which he promised to return soon.

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