Cody Rhodes is the son of Dusty Rhodes, a legendary figure in WWE, and his half-brother, Dustin Rhodes, is also a big name in the wrestling world. (Image via WWE)
He had championship success in his first run with WWE, but creative frustrations saw him leave in 2016 and want to prove himself outside the company. Cody Rhodes made his WWE return at WrestleMania 38 in April of 2022 as Seth Rollins ’ surprise opponent. Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as a top WWE performer. Milestone Year Significance WWE departure 2016 Rhodes left WWE and began rebuilding his career All Elite Wrestling launch 2019 Rhodes became a founding executive and major performer WWE return 2022 Rhodes returned at WrestleMania 38 Royal Rumble victory 2023 Rhodes earned another WrestleMania opportunity Royal Rumble victory 2024 Rhodes secured another championship challenge WrestleMania XL 2024 Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania XL in 2024 to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.
His father, Dusty Rhodes, was one of wrestling’s most influential figures but never won the WWE Championship. Cody Rhodes ’ road back to WWE was one paved with departure, reinvention and a renewed ambition to reach wrestling’s biggest stage. The appearance was his first WWE match since leaving the company six years ago and threw him right back into a big storyline. Rhodes had just returned a few months ago, but tore his pectoral muscle off the bone completely before his Hell in a Cell match against Seth Rollins. Despite a serious injury, Rhodes played in the match, adding another big chapter to his comeback story. The wins gave him multiple opportunities to challenge for a world championship at WrestleMania. That victory was the culmination of a years-long story that began when he left WWE and continued on through his time in the indies and AEW. Rhodes’s championship victory also played directly into his family legacy. So Cody’s victory at WrestleMania XL was a major milestone for his own career but also a big moment in the larger story of the Rhodes family.