Cody Rhodes: The American Nightmare of WWE.

Cody Rhodes, a pioneer of AEW has reportedly left the company and rumor has it that he is in talks of a potential return to the WWE. If he does comeback then this will be the first time Cody Rhodes has appeared in the WWE since 2016. Cody Rhodes has often expressed his views on his tenure at WWE and how he was underused in the company. He’s also alluded to people in WWE during promos and even his entrance back at AEW Double or Nothing 2019. Despite making a name for himself in the independent scene and at AEW, it’s curious to see what lies for Cody in WWE. We’ve seen this happen with guys like Drew McIntyre where they take off in the independent scene and come back to be a major star in WWE. Will we see this with Cody?

Possible Feuds and Storylines

There’s many feuds that Cody can be involved with. AJ Styles, Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens are just a few to name. There’s so much story between AJ Styles and Cody because because they were once members of the independent faction called “The Bullet Club”. AJ was the leader during his run with that faction before Cody joined; while Cody was an important piece which elevated it to higher places. If the writing is good, booking this match could be a possible feud that could elevate either star. This is a dream match. Even a feud with Finn would be a dream match as it could hint at both superstars’ tenure in the faction as well. Epic storytelling at its finest.

WWE desperately needs new stars and there is no better person to have than Cody Rhodes. Cody is already homegrown talent who has the draw power and is very credible. Cody has accomplished a number of things in his 5 year independent run. He’s held multiple world titles, and has put over many young wrestlers in either feuds or even promo segments. That is what WWE needs. Cody is still relatively young as well so there’s so many things that WWE can do with him. These last 5 years have turned Cody from undesirable to undeniable, and it has led him to this moment.

What should we expect from this run?

It is expected for Cody to finally win the WWE World Championship, but it is doubted that it will happen very soon. There’s so much more to Cody than winning that belt and that is what he taught the fans as well as WWE. It was about leaving a legacy. How ironic when that was the name faction that started his career in the right direction. It’s always been about a legacy. When he left WWE, he found his identity. He was a “dashing” star in WWE, but when he left he became an American Nightmare paying homage to his father the late Dusty Rhodes. He isn’t like his father, a pioneer for personality in professional wrestling, he took it to an entirely different level.

Cody Rhodes has transcended all expectation during his independent run, and his WWE run should be interesting. Though I doubt this will happen, Cody would’ve done well in NXT, especially NXT black and gold. He would’ve been booked as a top guy that could elevate not only NXT, but WWE as well. Cody is a rare specimen who can dwell as either a heel or a face. Though he is not Vince McMahon’s fit for a superstar, he has the personality, star power, and ability to put on 5 star matches with just about any wrestler in the company. If anything, it would be smart to send Cody to Raw because of what they have with Roman Reigns on Smackdown. What a way to end the story of redemption than to come back to the company who underused him just to be one of its biggest stars.