Cody Rhodes Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 21, 2024
Cody Rhodes Then
Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes, born on June 30, 1985, in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a prominent figure in professional wrestling known by his ring name, Cody Rhodes.
As the son of the legendary professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes and Michelle Rubio, Cody comes from a storied wrestling family.
His lineage also includes Cuban heritage through his maternal grandfather, adding a rich cultural background to his identity.
Cody’s family connections extend further into the wrestling world with his half-brother Dustin Rhodes, also known as Goldust, and his paternal half-sister Kristin, who once cheered for the Dallas Cowboys.
His wrestling lineage is further bolstered by his uncles, Jerry Sags and Fred Ottman, and his godfather, Magnum T. A., who has been a significant figure in his life since birth.
Growing up, Cody Rhodes excelled in high school wrestling, attending Lassiter High School where he quickly made a name for himself.
His impressive wrestling career began with a sixth-place finish in the 171 lb (78 kg) division as a sophomore.
His talent and dedication led him to win the Georgia state wrestling championship in the 189 lb (86 kg) division as both a junior and senior, showcasing his skill and determination on the mat.
Although he initially intended to continue his wrestling career at Penn State University, Rhodes chose to pursue professional wrestling, following in his father’s footsteps.
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During high school, Rhodes also gained valuable experience by working as a referee in his father’s Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion, providing him with a unique perspective on the wrestling business.
After graduating high school, Cody further pursued his passion by attending the Howard Fine Acting School in Los Angeles for a year, which complemented his wrestling career and contributed to his development as a performer.
His diverse background in wrestling and acting has helped him become a well-rounded and accomplished professional wrestler in the industry.
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Cody Rhodes Wrestling Career
Cody Rhodes’ wrestling career began with early training from his father, Dusty Rhodes, starting at the age of 12.
Initially focused on basic fundamentals, his training was later expanded under the guidance of well-known wrestling figures such as Al Snow, Danny Davis, Randy Orton, and Ricky Morton.
This comprehensive training laid the foundation for his future career in professional wrestling. Rhodes made his debut in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) on May 13, 2006, where he quickly made a name for himself.
He teamed up with Shawn Spears, winning the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship twice, and also captured the OVW Heavyweight and Television Championships, showcasing his versatility and talent early on.
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Rhodes transitioned to WWE in 2007, debuting on the July 2 episode of Raw. His first significant feud involved Randy Orton, which saw Rhodes initially struggling but ultimately gaining prominence.
His in-ring debut saw him lose to Orton, and he later played a crucial role in preventing further attacks on his father.
This led to a notable rivalry and a series of matches, including a loss to Orton at The Great American Bash and subsequent confrontations.
His feud with Hardcore Holly initially saw him lose several matches, but it eventually turned into a successful tag team partnership, earning him his first WWE championship—the World Tag Team Championship—on the Raw 15th Anniversary special.
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In May 2008, Rhodes’ storyline took a dramatic turn when he betrayed Hardcore Holly, aligning himself with Ted DiBiase.
This shift marked his transition to a heel character and led to Rhodes becoming a two-time World Tag Team Champion.
His tenure with WWE saw him adopting various personas, including a dramatic spin-off of his brother Dustin’s Goldust character, known as Stardust.
This period also included a successful run in WWE, where Rhodes became a two-time Intercontinental Champion and secured eight world tag team championships across multiple partners and teams, including notable stints as the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champion.
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Following his departure from WWE in May 2016, Rhodes reinvented himself on the independent circuit and in promotions like TNA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Ring of Honor (ROH).
Wrestling under the name Cody, he won several championships, including the ROH World Championship and the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
His significant achievements included promoting and participating in the All In pay-per-view event in 2018, which became a milestone in wrestling history by selling 10,000 tickets and paving the way for the formation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
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As a founding executive vice president of AEW in January 2019, Rhodes played a pivotal role in the promotion’s success.
He won the inaugural AEW TNT Championship and contributed to the company’s growth.
Despite his departure from AEW in February 2022, Rhodes made a high-profile return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, where he defeated Seth “Freakin” Rollins.
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His subsequent victories in the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumble matches, becoming the first wrestler to achieve back-to-back victories since “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and his win of two world championships at WrestleMania XL, cemented his legacy as a WWE Triple Crown winner.
In 2024, Rhodes topped Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s PWI 500 list of the top 500 male wrestlers in the world, highlighting his continued prominence and success in the industry.
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Cody Rhodes Wrestling Competition
- Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (2 times)
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- OVW Television Championship (1 time)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- World Tag Team Championship (3 times)
- WWE/Raw Tag Team Championship (4 times)
- SmackDown Tag Team Championship (1 time)
- Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- No significant titles during the tenure
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Ring of Honor (ROH)
- ROH World Championship (1 time)
- ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time, with Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)
- All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
- AEW TNT Championship (1 time)
- National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
- NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Cody Rhodes’ Wife and Children
In September 2013, Cody Rhodes married Brandi Reed, who is also known for her involvement in the wrestling world as a ring announcer and former wrestler.
The couple’s relationship, rooted in their shared passion for professional wrestling, led to their union, marking a significant personal milestone for Rhodes.
Brandi Reed, now known as Brandi Rhodes, has been an integral part of the wrestling industry, complementing Cody’s career with her own contributions.
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Together, Cody and Brandi Rhodes welcomed their first child, a daughter named Liberty.
The birth of Liberty added a new dimension to their lives, blending their professional successes with the joys of parenthood.
The family also includes a Siberian Husky named Pharaoh, who has become a notable presence in both AEW and WWE programming.
Pharaoh’s appearances alongside Rhodes have added a personal touch to his public persona, showcasing the Rhodes family’s close bond and their love for their pet.
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Cody Rhodes Now
As of 2024, Cody Rhodes is 39 years old and continues to make a significant impact in the world of professional wrestling.
He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand.
Rhodes holds the prestigious title of Undisputed WWE Champion, a role that combines the WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship in his first reign.
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This dual-title achievement underscores his prominence and influence within the company, marking a peak moment in his career.
Rhodes’ career has seen remarkable evolution, with his time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2019 to 2022 being particularly notable.
At AEW, he served not only as a top performer but also as an executive vice president, playing a pivotal role in the company’s growth and development.
During his tenure, he achieved significant success as the inaugural AEW TNT Champion and went on to set a record by winning the championship three times.
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His contributions to AEW helped solidify the promotion’s reputation and his own legacy in professional wrestling.
Cody Rhodes’ journey reflects a dynamic career marked by his accomplishments in WWE and AEW, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the sport.
His current role as Undisputed WWE Champion highlights his continued relevance and success in the industry.
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Cody Rhodes’ Net Worth
Stardust, the wrestling persona of Cody Rhodes, is an American professional wrestler and actor whose net worth is estimated at $2 million, reflecting his successful career in both the wrestling industry and entertainment.
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