Top 50 Fascinating and Lesser-known Facts about Cody Rhodes: The American Nightmare
Top 50 Fascinating and Lesser-known Facts about Cody Rhodes
American professional wrestler and actor Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes was born on June 30, 1985, as Cody Garrett Runnels. He is the current Undisputed WWE Champion, having won both the WWE Championship and the WWE Universal Championship during his first reign. He is signed with the WWE, where he competes on the SmackDown brand. Notable is his tenure with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Cody gained recognition throughout time for his adaptability in the ring by performing both alone and in tag teams, going so far as to establish the illustrious “Legacy” team with Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr. But in 2016, he departed WWE to start a new chapter in his life after becoming dissatisfied with his position there.
After participating in promotions such as Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Rhodes rose to prominence in the indie wrestling scene. His contributions enabled him to become one of the biggest stars outside of WWE. As an executive vice president and top wrestler for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), which Cody co-founded in 2019, he contributed to the organization’s rise to prominence as the main rival of WWE.
In this blog, we’ll dive into 50 fascinating and lesser-known facts about Cody Rhodes, showcasing his multifaceted career and personal life.
1. Real Name
Cody Rhodes’ real name is Cody Garrett Runnels. He adopted the surname “Rhodes” as a tribute to his father, Dusty Rhodes, whose real name was Virgil Runnels.
2. Born into Wrestling Royalty
Cody was born into a wrestling dynasty. His father, Dusty Rhodes, was one of the most influential figures in wrestling, and his brother, Dustin Rhodes, also made a name for himself as Goldust.
3. First Amateur Wrestling Success
Before entering the professional wrestling world, Cody was an accomplished amateur wrestler. He won the Georgia state wrestling championship twice in high school.
4. Hollywood Aspirations
Cody briefly considered becoming an actor before deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps. He has still made guest appearances on television shows, including “Arrow.”
5. Dashing Cody Rhodes
One of Cody’s early WWE personas was “Dashing” Cody Rhodes, a narcissistic character obsessed with his looks. He would often offer “grooming tips” to the WWE audience.
6. Mask-Wearing Heel
After suffering a storyline injury, Cody began wearing a protective mask, turning into a darker character. His “undashing” persona saw him handing out paper bags to fans, urging them to cover their “ugly” faces.
7. The Stardust Character
In 2014, Cody introduced the “Stardust” persona, a cosmic, eccentric character. While some fans enjoyed the gimmick, Cody later expressed frustration with it, feeling it hindered his career progression.
8. Departure from WWE
In 2016, Cody requested his release from WWE, citing creative dissatisfaction. This bold move allowed him to explore the wrestling world beyond WWE, proving to be a career-defining decision.
9. Reinvention in the Independent Scene
After leaving WWE, Cody reinvented himself on the independent wrestling circuit. His performances in promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and others earned him critical acclaim.
10. The American Nightmare
Cody adopted the nickname “The American Nightmare” as a contrast to his father, Dusty Rhodes’ “American Dream” persona. This change signified his darker, more serious character.
11. Bullet Club Membership
Cody joined the iconic faction “Bullet Club” in NJPW, aligning himself with some of the top wrestlers in the world, including Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks.
12. His Feud with Kenny Omega
One of Cody’s most notable storylines in NJPW was his power struggle with Kenny Omega for leadership of the Bullet Club. This feud helped Cody establish himself as a top-tier talent outside of WWE.
13. Founder of All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
In 2019, Cody became one of the founding members of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), alongside Tony Khan, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks. AEW aimed to provide an alternative to WWE and has grown into a major wrestling promotion.
14. AEW Executive Vice President
Cody holds the title of Executive Vice President in AEW, giving him creative control and a leadership role in shaping the company’s direction.
15. Iconic Entrance Music
Cody’s entrance music, “Kingdom” by Downstait, has become synonymous with his rise in AEW. The song’s lyrics reflect his journey and resilience in professional wrestling.
16. Open Challenges for the TNT Championship
Cody became the inaugural AEW TNT Champion, frequently defending the title through open challenges. This allowed him to elevate new and underutilized talents in AEW.
17. His WWE Intercontinental Championship Wins
During his time in WWE, Cody won the Intercontinental Championship twice. His first reign saw him bring back the classic white-strapped Intercontinental belt, a nostalgic nod to wrestling’s past.
18. Dusty Rhodes Classic
In honor of his father, WWE introduced the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in NXT, a tournament showcasing tag team wrestling. Cody has expressed pride in this tribute to his father’s legacy.
19. Philanthropy and Charity Work
Cody is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has been involved in several charity initiatives, including supporting veterans and raising awareness for animal rights causes.
20. His Marriage to Brandi Rhodes
Cody is married to Brandi Rhodes (formerly known as Eden Stiles in WWE). Brandi is not only his life partner but also a key figure in AEW, serving as the company’s Chief Brand Officer.
21. Cody’s Role in AEW’s Growth
As one of AEW’s top executives, Cody has played a crucial role in helping the company secure its TV deal with TNT and grow into a legitimate competitor to WWE.
22. His Iconic Tattoo
Cody sports a distinctive neck tattoo of the American Nightmare logo. The tattoo garnered mixed reactions from fans and critics, but Cody embraced it as a symbol of his commitment to his character and brand.
23. Guest Appearances on ‘Arrow’
Cody made several guest appearances on the TV series “Arrow,” portraying the character Derek Sampson. His friendship with “Arrow” star Stephen Amell led to collaborations in wrestling as well.
24. His Love for Comic Books
Cody is an avid comic book fan and has frequently expressed his passion for the genre. He even used his love of comics to inspire aspects of his Stardust persona.
25. Acting Credits Beyond Wrestling
Cody has appeared in various TV shows and films outside of wrestling, including a role in the movie “Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery” and guest appearances on several game shows.
26. Avid Gamer
Cody is an enthusiastic gamer, often playing video games in his spare time. He has even participated in gaming-related events and tournaments, further connecting with his fanbase.
27. Love for Animals
Cody is a known animal lover and is particularly fond of dogs. He frequently shares pictures of his pets on social media, showing his softer side.
28. Training with Randy Orton
During his early days in WWE, Cody was part of the faction “Legacy,” alongside Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr. Training with Orton helped Cody develop his in-ring skills and learn from one of WWE’s top stars.
29. Feud with MJF
One of Cody’s most intense storylines in AEW was his feud with MJF (Maxwell Jacob Friedman). MJF betrayed Cody, leading to a heated rivalry that captivated AEW audiences.
30. Political Aspirations
Cody has expressed interest in potentially running for political office one day, inspired by his father, who had a brief stint in politics during his career.
31. Cody’s Love for Star Wars
Cody is a huge fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and has mentioned it several times in interviews. He even incorporated Star Wars references into some of his wrestling gear.
32. His Tribute to His Father
In AEW, Cody has paid tribute to his late father, Dusty Rhodes, numerous times. One notable tribute was his entrance at the “Double or Nothing” PPV, where he smashed a throne with a sledgehammer, symbolizing breaking away from WWE.
33. Ring of Honor World Champion
Cody became the Ring of Honor (ROH) World Champion in 2017, further solidifying his place as one of the top wrestlers in the world.
34. Successful Tag Team Competitor
Cody has found success as a tag team competitor throughout his career, winning titles with partners such as Drew McIntyre, Goldust, and most recently, in AEW with his brother Dustin Rhodes.
35. Guest on Hot Ones
Cody appeared on the popular YouTube show “Hot Ones,” where he ate progressively spicier chicken wings while answering questions about his career and personal life.
36. Love for Fashion
Cody has a keen interest in fashion and often showcases unique and stylish outfits both in and out of the ring. He has even participated in fashion-related events.
37. A Collector of Memorabilia
Cody is an avid collector of wrestling memorabilia, especially items related to his father, Dusty Rhodes. His collection includes rare wrestling artifacts from various eras.
38. His Tribute to Harley Race
Cody has often paid tribute to legendary wrestler Harley Race, who was a mentor to his father, Dusty Rhodes. Cody has spoken highly of Race’s influence on his family’s wrestling legacy.
39. The Cody Cutter
Cody’s finishing move, the Cody Cutter, is a springboard cutter that has become one of his signature moves in AEW. He uses it to showcase his agility and technical prowess.
40. His WrestleMania Appearances
Cody has competed in several high-profile WrestleMania matches, including facing legends like Rey Mysterio, Seth Rollins and Roman reigns. His matches have helped establish his legacy in WWE’s biggest event.
41. Cody’s MMA Training
To prepare for wrestling, Cody has also dabbled in mixed martial arts (MMA) training. This cross-training has helped him improve his in-ring performance and conditioning.
42. He is a Pop Culture Enthusiast
Beyond wrestling and comics, Cody is a fan of pop culture in general. He frequently references movies, TV shows, and other cultural touchstones in his promos.
43. Collaborating with Stephen Amell
Cody’s friendship with actor Stephen Amell led to several collaborations, including Amell’s participation in wrestling matches. They share a mutual love for wrestling and comic books.
44. Multilingual Talent
Cody has showcased his linguistic talents by speaking multiple languages, including Spanish. This skill has helped him connect with fans across different regions.
45. Cody’s Tribute to His Father’s Iconic Bionic Elbow
In several of his matches, Cody has paid homage to his father’s famous move, the Bionic Elbow, using it as part of his offensive repertoire.
46. Video Game Cameos
Cody has appeared as a playable character in several wrestling video games, including the WWE 2K series and AEW’s upcoming video game. His in-game character captures his moves and persona.
47. The AEW Revolution Ladder Match
In 2021, Cody participated in the AEW Revolution ladder match, one of the most thrilling matches in AEW history. His high-flying and hard-hitting style was on full display.
48. Film Producer Ambitions
Cody has expressed interest in eventually producing films. His experience in wrestling and acting has fueled his ambition to enter the world of filmmaking.
49.Return to WWE – Finish the Story
Rhodes and Rollins were defeated by The Rock and Reigns on the first night of WrestleMania XL on April 6. As a result, Rhodes and Reigns’ encounter on the second night of the event would be a Bloodline Rules match. To complete his tale and win his first world titles in the WWE, on day 2, Rhodes finally defeated Reigns on night two for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship).
50. A Legacy of Resilience
Throughout his career, Cody has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, from creative frustrations in WWE to the immense pressure of founding AEW. Yet, his resilience has made him a beloved figure in the wrestling community, known for his passion, determination, and commitment to his craft.
