Who Is Cody Rhodes?

Cody made his WWE debut in 2006 and quickly made a name for himself as a promising talent. Throughout his initial run, he captured multiple titles, including 2-time Intercontinental Champion and 6-time Tag Team Champion. Despite his success, Cody often found himself frustrated with the limitations of his character, especially during his time portraying “Stardust,” a cosmic-themed persona that he felt held him back creatively.

In 2016, Cody decided to take a leap of faith and bet on himself by going the much harder independent route, which ended up being the best thing he could have done at that point in his career.

Going Indie

The move to go indie and bet on himself transformed his career. On the indie scene, he showcased his versatility, competing in promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and many others worldwide. He became a marquee attraction, proving he didn’t need WWE to thrive. One of the more famous runs was when he wrestled under NJPW and was involved with the legendary Bullet Club. That defined his run in the indies, eventually leading to him joining the Young Bucks and going into business for themselves.

The Birth of AEW

In 2018, Cody and the Young Bucks decided to try something new and hosted a show themselves that they called “All In.” The event was appropriately titled as they took their resources and gave putting on their own show a shot. This ended up being the true beginning of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) before Tony Khan stepped in a year later. The show sold out, gaining Khan’s interest, which led to the birth of AEW the following year.

Cody’s biggest impact outside WWE came in 2019 when he helped launch (AEW) — a new, high-profile wrestling promotion aiming to rival WWE. As an in-ring performer and executive vice president, Cody played a critical role in establishing AEW as a legitimate alternative. His matches were often emotional, storytelling-driven bouts that highlighted both his athleticism and passion for the industry. Cody would take shots at the WWE at every moment he had as a competitor, but that was strictly because of how things were left between them during his first run with the company.

Cody Rhodes’ Return To WWE

In a shocking move, Cody returned to WWE in 2022 — but this time on his own terms. His mission was clear: finish the story his father Dusty never could by winning the WWE World Championship- something he was unable to do at WrestleMania 39 but finally achieved that dream by defeating Roman Reigns the following year at WrestleMania 40. That win solidified his place among wrestling’s elite and honoring his father’s legacy in the process.

Cody Rhodes’ 2^nd WWE Run Is On The Cusp Of Greatness

From WWE prodigy to indie sensation to AEW pioneer and back to WWE World Champion, Cody’s journey is a modern epic in the world of professional wrestling. His story is one of perseverance, passion, and legacy — and it’s still being written.