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Learn all about Cody Rhodes, the "American Nightmare" who defied expectations and took an unconventional journey to finally claim the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Cody Rhodes background
Cody Rhodes is an American professional wrestler, signed to the WWE as of November 2024, performing on the SmackDown brand.
He is the current Undisputed WWE Champion, winning the title at WrestleMania 40 after pinning Roman Reigns to "finish the story”.
Rhodes won the Inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship on November 2, 2024, pinning Gunther for the win.
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04:58 - 08.04.2024
WWE Wrestlemania 40 Results: Cody Rhodes DETRONES Roman Reigns to become new Universal Champion as Tribal Chief’s 1,316 days run ends and other results from epic night
Cody Rhodes finally finished the story as he pinned Roman Reigns to become the new face of the WWE amid a chaotic Night 2 of WrestleMania 40.
Cody Rhodes Profile
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Full name: Cody Garrett Runnels
Date of birth: June 30, 1985
Age: 39 years old (as of November 2024)
Place of birth: Marietta, Georgia, USA
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: Mixed (American-Cuban)
Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimetres)
Weight: 222 pounds (100 kilograms)
Relationship status: Married
Parents: Virgil Riley Runnels Jr (Dusty Rhodes) and Michelle Rubio
Sibling: Dustin Patrick Runnels a.k.a. Dustin Rhodes (half-brother)
Wife: Brandi Alexis Runnels (Brandi Rhodes)
Education: Lassiter High School, Marietta, Georgia
Occupation: Professional wrestler
Active years: 2006 - present
Net worth: $8 million
Instagram: @americannightmarecody
X: @CodyRhodes
Cody Rhodes Profile
Following in his father’s path — Dustin Rhodes, born Virgil Riley Runnels Jr — Cody Rhodes yearned for a career in professional wrestling from a young age.
He started in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 2006, forming a successful tag team with his half-brother Dustin, known as "The Rhodes Brothers”, before leaving to join the WWE's developmental territory in 2007 and their main roster the following year.
Rhodes allied with Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr., with the Legacy stable notching success along the way, underscored by Rhodes and DiBiase twice winning the World Tag Team Championship.
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After the Legacy disbanded, and despite two reigns as Intercontinental Champion, Rhodes felt stifled and the unfavourable environment led to his WWE departure in 2016.
His departure brought about a move into the independent circuits, wrestling for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Ring of Honor (ROH), and Impact Wrestling.
Rhodes embraced a more flamboyant persona after joining the Bullet Club in NJPW, donning a mask and referring to himself as "The American Nightmare” — his late father, Dusty Rhodes was typically called "The American Dream”.
An ambitious Rhodes then left and became a founding member of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) after officially signing with the promotion as a competitor in January 2019 as well as serving as one of AEW's co-executive vice presidents.
After a successful spell with the promotion, Rhodes returned to the WWE as a top star, aiming to "finish the story" by claiming the Undisputed WWE Championship title that eluded his father, Dusty Rhodes.
After failing against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, Rhodes ended the Head of the Table’s 1316-day reign on the second night of WrestleMania 40 on April 7, 2024.
Cody Rhodes Championships and Accomplishments
Amateur Wrestling
- Georgia State Tournament
Professional Wrestling
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
AEW TNT Championship (inaugural, 3-time champion)
Alpha-1 Wrestling
A1 Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ethan Page
Bullet Proof Wrestling
BPW Championship (1 time)
National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Northeast Wrestling
NEW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Ohio Valley Wrestling
OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
OVW Television Championship (1 time)
OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Shawn Spears
Fourth OVW Triple Crown Champion
Ring of Honor
ROH World Championship (1 time)
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with The Young Bucks
What Culture Pro Wrestling
WCPW Internet Championship (1 time)
WWE
WWE Universal Championship (1 time, current)
WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jey Uso
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Drew McIntyre (1), Goldust (2) and Jey Uso (1)
World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Hardcore Holly (1) and Ted DiBiase (2)
Men's Royal Rumble (2023, 2024)
WWE Crown Jewel Championship (1 time, current)
Why did Cody Rhodes leave the WWE?
Cody Rhodes left the WWE in 2016 because he felt restricted by the promotion's creative team who repeatedly rejected numerous pitched storylines as well as discontent with the "Stardust” gimmick assigned to him, feeling it was a derivative version of his brother's "Goldust” persona.
Seeking growth, he chose to leave the WWE.
Why did Cody Rhodes leave AEW?
The details of Cody Rhodes' departure from AEW in February are unknown. Some sources have cited personal reasons while others have claimed a breakdown in contract negotiations or creative disagreements.
Many believe returning to the WWE was always the American Nightmare's plan, even if that has never been confirmed or denied.
How Cody Rhodes beat Roman Reigns (Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns)
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After an unsuccessful shot at ending Reigns’ extended spell as the WWE Undisputed Champion at The Grandest Stage of Them All in 2023, Rhodes’ ambition to claim the belt remained.
Despite a seeming change of direction despite the American Nightmare winning the Royal Rumble for the second year running in 2024, the Rock’s return pointed to the Brahma Bull battling Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
However, a revolt led to the company effectively caving into demands to give Rhodes another shot at the title.
After a wildly exciting Main Event that witnessed interference on both sides, the Undertaker’s intervention proved decisive, as the returning Deadman hit the Rock with a chokeslam, allowing Rhodes to pin Reigns for the win.
Cody Rhodes vs Gunther
Cody Rhodes and Gunther battled at Crown Jewel in front of a sold-out capacity crowd at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 2, 2024.
The WWE Champion and Gunther tussled for the Inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship.
Rhodes won the match after his initial super Cody Cutter was reversed into a sleeper by Gunther but the WWE Champion countered for the pin-fall to become the first-ever Crown Jewel title holder.
Cody Rhodes Father
Cody Rhodes' father was known professionally as Dusty Rhodes, although his real name was Virgil Riley Runnels Jr.
He was known as "The American Dream” for much of his career, which saw him claim the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Heavyweight Championship three times, notch the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and hold multiple titles in the WCW, including the World Tag Team Championship and WCW World Television Championship.
He was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1995, WWE in 2007 and NWA HOF in 2011. He passed away on June 11, 2015, after battling kidney disease.
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Cody Rhodes Mother
Cody Rhodes' mother is Michelle Rubio. She is of Cuban descent and is typically seen ringside or pictured backstage.
Rubio was involved in the storyline leading up to WrestleMania 40's Main Event and was seen in the celebrations that followed her son defeating Reigns to "finish the story”.
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Cody Rhodes Brother
Cody Rhodes' half-brother is Dustin Rhodes (real name Dustin Patrick Runnels), known for his flamboyant Goldust persona.
Born April 11, 1969, to future WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and Sandra Runnels, the 55-year-old is a three-time WWE Intercontinental Champion. Dustin and Cody teamed up in the WWE for a period, with Dustin as Goldust and Cody as Stardust and the pair twice claimed the WWE Tag Team Championship.
He is presently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he goes by Dustin Rhodes in the ring.
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Who is Cody Rhodes' Wife? (Cody Rhodes Wife)
Cody Rhodes is married to Brandi Rhodes, whose real name is Brandi Alexis Reed. They met in 2011 while both working for WWE and they tied the knot in September 2013. The couple have one child together.
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Cody Rhodes Daughter
Cody and Brandi Rhodes’s daughter — Liberty Iris Runnels — was born on June 18, 2021. Liberty's pictures are typically posted by Brandi on Instagram.
Cody Rhodes Theme Song
While Cody Rhodes has used two major theme songs in his career, Smoke and Mirrors in his initial spell with the WWE and Kingdom since departing the promotion in 2016, the latter has become increasingly impressive, with a feeling that it aligns with his current American Nightmare persona, thus creating a connection with the fans whenever it plays.
Cody Rhodes Net Worth
Cody Rhodes' net worth is estimated to be around $8 million as of November 2024.
Rhodes is one of WWE's top stars, and his current contract is reportedly worth around $500,000 per year.
He is a highly marketable wrestler, and he earns significant income from merchandise sales, endorsements, and appearances.
Rhodes has also dabbled in acting, appearing in shows like "Arrow" and "Go-Big Show." Given his current popularity and success in WWE, Rhodes' net worth is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.
Cody Rhodes Social Media
As of November 2024, Cody Rhodes has a follower count of 2.2 million on Instagram and 1.5 million on X (formerly Twitter).
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