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United States Cody Rhodes is a prominent professional wrestler who transitioned from a successful WWE career and independent circuit run to co-founding All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and returning to WWE to achieve top-tier championship status.
Rhodes became one of the faces of the "Be a Superstar" advertising campaign, an interactive campaign featuring wrestlers in videos promoting Gillette Fusion products.
Cody Rhodes became the first WWE Superstar officially endorsed by PRIME Hydration, an energy drink brand.
Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, and Jey Uso featured in a new commercial as part of Minute Maid's 'Bring the Juice' brand platform, launching in 2025 as WWE's Official Juice Partner.
Cody Rhodes launched a podcast titled "What Do You Wanna Talk About" as part of WWE's partnership with Fanatics. The podcast features Rhodes in one-on-one conversations with WWE Superstars and Legends.
Cody Rhodes extended his partnership with Wheatley Vodka, continuing his collaboration with the brand.
Cody Rhodes was added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III as a playable multiplayer operator, alongside Rey Mysterio and Rhea Ripley, as part of a Season 5 content drop.
Cody Rhodes was added to Clash of Clans in April 2025 as a skin for the Barbarian King character during the game's ClashAMania event.
Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes, born on June 30, 1985, in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the son of celebrated professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes and half-brother of Dustin Rhodes. He spent his early life in Georgia and attended Lassiter High School in Marietta, where he became a two-time state champion in amateur wrestling in 2003 and 2004. Initially planning to wrestle collegiately at Penn State University, Rhodes ultimately chose a path in professional wrestling, having been trained by his father since age 12, with additional coaching from notable figures like Al Snow and Randy Orton. His career officially began in May 2006 in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE’s developmental territory, where he quickly demonstrated his capabilities by winning the OVW Television Championship, the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship twice, and the OVW Heavyweight Championship once, thereby becoming an OVW Triple Crown Champion.
Rhodes made his main roster debut in WWE in July 2007, adopting the ‘Cody Rhodes’ name. His early WWE tenure saw him form successful tag teams, notably winning his first World Tag Team Championship with Hardcore Holly in December 2007. He later joined ‘The Legacy’ faction with Ted DiBiase Jr. and Randy Orton, a period that elevated his status within the company as he competed in main event matches. Following the dissolution of ‘The Legacy’ in 2010, Rhodes underwent various character changes, including the “Dashing” Cody Rhodes persona and the later “Stardust” gimmick, which highlighted his versatility. Despite creative frustrations leading to his departure from WWE in 2016, Rhodes embarked on a notable run across the independent circuit, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and Ring of Honor (ROH). During this time, he captured the ROH World Championship, the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship, demonstrating his ability to succeed outside of WWE’s established structure.
A significant turning point for Rhodes came in 2019 when he co-founded All Elite Wrestling (AEW), serving as an Executive Vice President and a prominent on-screen talent. He became the inaugural AEW TNT Champion, holding the title three times. His return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022 marked a highly anticipated comeback, driven by his stated goal to win the WWE Championship, a title his father never held. Following a pectoral muscle tear that sidelined him for months, he made a triumphant return at the 2023 Royal Rumble, which he won, and then again in 2024. Rhodes accomplished his long-standing goal by defeating Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania XL, solidifying his position as a top star and capturing his first world title in WWE. He has since defended the title multiple times and also won the 2025 King of the Ring tournament and the 2024 WWE Crown Jewel Championship.
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