Cody Rhodes Through the Ages: Ranking His Most Memorable Gimmicks
Throughout his time in WWE, Cody Rhodes has had numerous gimmicks, as well as in other companies such as AEW, TNA, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Which one of these gimmicks is received well by fans? Is it during his time at TNA or AEW, or is it his WWE gimmick that he has now, which is the American Nightmare, or is it the Bullet Club version of Cody Rhodes, which was very popular in New Japan Wrestling? Is it his gimmick as dashing Cody Rhodes/Legacy Rhodes/Stardust, which was during his first run in the WWE?
3. Legacy Rhodes/Dashing Cody Rhodes/Stardust
During his first run in the WWE, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Ted DiBiase Jr. established a group called the Legacy. All three of these wrestlers named themselves the legacy because of being second-generation superstars, being sons of famous wrestlers. With this group, Cody Rhodes won the Tag Team Championship with his partner Ted DiBiase Jr. until 2010 when the group eventually split up. Cody and his partner attacked Randy Orton, and they had a fantastic match at WrestleMania. Eventually, later on in 2010, Cody Rhodes debuted a new character called Dashing Cody Rhodes. As his character was an epitome of having a big ego, always calling himself handsome whenever he would make his entrance on Monday Night Raw, until he had a feud with Rey Mysterio, in which Cody Rhodes broke his nose during his match, and he was forced to wear a mask to cover his beautiful face. Eventually, he grew a mustache. In 2012-2013 until that point, he debuted a new character called Stardust when he teamed up with his brother, Goldust, eventually turning heel at this point. This is the reason why Cody Rhodes left the WWE, as the Stardust gimmick was one of the blandest gimmicks in the WWE.
2. Bullet Club Cody
During his run in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Cody Rhodes joined a group called the Bullet Club in New Japan. As he had so many fantastic feuds, he won the New Japan United States Championship from Juice Robinson. Until he feuded with his best friend Kenny Omega, separating the two factions as Kenny Omega teamed up with his best friend Kota Ibushi. As Cody Rhodes took over as the new leader of the Bullet Club, he eventually reunited the two friends together back in AEW as both wrestlers formed a new club called the Elite. This version of Cody Rhodes is the best version of him, as people love the heel character that he portrayed. As a result of this, Cody Rhodes, for the first time in his career, would use vulgar language as the WWE would not allow him to use vulgar language as it is a PG show, but AEW isn't.
1. American Nightmare
Cody Rhodes eventually made his return to WWE in 2022 as he came back as a baby face to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38, eventually setting up a feud with Seth Rollins. Until he won the Royal Rumble in 2023, choosing to have a match with Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 39, and then he won the Royal Rumble match in 2024, getting another opportunity for the WWE Championship for another match with Reigns at WrestleMania 40 and then he became the WWE Champion finally finishing his story. Since Cody Rhodes came back to WWE, he has been the face of the company because of the fans' support. Turning him baby face was a great choice for the WWE since then. A lot of fans have been watching the product because of Cody Rhodes.
