Career Timeline of Cody Rhodes: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Cody Rhodes, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Cody Rhodes is a prominent American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on SmackDown. He holds the Undisputed WWE Championship, recognized as both the WWE Champion and WWE Universal Champion, in his first reign with each title. He's also the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Champion. Previously, Rhodes was a co-founder and Executive Vice President of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from its inception in 2019 until his departure in 2022.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1997: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Royal Rumble Win

In 1997, Stone Cold Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble. This is relevant because Cody Rhodes later became the first person to win two consecutive Royal Rumble matches since Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1997 and 1998.

1998: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Second Royal Rumble Win

In 1998, Stone Cold Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble for the second consecutive year. Cody Rhodes would later emulate this feat, becoming the first to do so since Austin.

May 13, 2006: OVW Debut

On May 13, 2006, Cody Runnels, using his birth name, debuted in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

August 2006: OVW Tag Team Championship

In August 2006, Cody Runnels formed a tag team with Shawn Spears and won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship twice.

July 2, 2007: Television Debut on Raw

On July 2, 2007, Cody Runnels made his television debut on Raw as a face, using the Rhodes name, in a backstage segment with his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton.

July 16, 2007: Main Roster In-Ring Debut

On July 16, 2007, Cody Rhodes made his main roster in-ring debut, losing to Randy Orton on Raw.

August 4, 2008: Loss and Regain of World Tag Team Championship

On August 4, 2008, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase lost the World Tag Team Championship to John Cena and Batista on Raw, but they regained it the following week.

July 2009: Gillette "Be a Superstar" Campaign

In July 2009, Cody Rhodes became one of the faces of the Gillette "Be a Superstar" advertising campaign, along with Chris Jericho and John Cena. The campaign promoted Gillette Fusion products through various videos.

August 2009: Appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

In August 2009, Cody Rhodes made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, further raising his public profile.

2009: Video Game Debut

In 2009, Cody Rhodes made his video game debut in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009.

2010: Appears in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010

In 2010, Cody Rhodes appeared in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010.

2011: Appears in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

In 2011, Cody Rhodes appeared in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011.

2011: Introduction of the Intercontinental Championship Belt

In 2011, Cody Rhodes introduced the design for the Intercontinental Championship belt.

2011: WWE Main Roster Match Received Five Stars

In 2011, no WWE main roster match received such a rating.

January 6, 2012: Retained Intercontinental Championship

On January 6, 2012, Cody Rhodes successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship against Booker T on SmackDown.

May 21, 2016: Rhodes Requests WWE Release

On May 21, 2016, Cody Rhodes revealed on Twitter that he had requested his release from WWE, citing frustrations with the creative department and his position in the company.

July 19, 2016: Rhodes Announces Appearance at ROH's Final Battle

On July 19, 2016, Cody Rhodes announced that he would appear at Ring of Honor's (ROH) Final Battle pay-per-view on December 2.

December 10, 2016: Rhodes Joins Bullet Club in NJPW

On December 10, 2016, Cody Rhodes, billed as "The American Nightmare", appeared at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) World Tag League finals via video package, announcing himself as the newest member of Bullet Club.

January 4, 2017: Rhodes' Debut Match at Wrestle Kingdom 11

On January 4, 2017, Cody Rhodes defeated Juice Robinson in his debut match at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome.

February 23, 2017: Cody Rhodes Returns to Impact Wrestling

On February 23, 2017, Cody Rhodes returned to Impact Wrestling, calling out Moose to thank him for helping his wife Brandi while he was away.

May 2017: Rhodes Challenges Claim About Independent Wrestling Show Attendance

In May 2017, Cody Rhodes challenged Dave Meltzer's claim that an independent wrestling show couldn't sell out a ten thousand seat arena in the United States.

January 4, 2018: Cody Faces Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 12

On January 4, 2018, Cody Rhodes faced Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 12, in a losing effort.

May 13, 2018: Tickets to "All In" Sell Out

On May 13, 2018, tickets to "All In" sold out in 30 minutes.

May 2018: All In Show Announced

In May 2018, it was announced that the independent wrestling show would be named All In.

July 2018: Returns to Arrow

In July 2018, Cody Rhodes announced he would reprise his role as Derek Sampson on season 7 of Arrow. He appeared in five episodes during the season.

July 21, 2018: Rhodes and The Young Bucks Win ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship

On July 21, 2018, Cody Rhodes and fellow Bullet Club members The Young Bucks defeated The Kingdom to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, marking his first reign.

November 2018: Trademarks Filed Indicating Launch of New Wrestling Promotion

In November 2018, several trademarks were filed in Jacksonville, Florida that indicated the launch of a new wrestling promotion.

January 1, 2019: All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Unveiled

On January 1, 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was unveiled during a conference in Jacksonville, with Cody Rhodes revealing that he, along with Matt and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, would serve as Executive Vice Presidents, as well as on-air talent.

January 4, 2019: Cody Loses United States Heavyweight Championship

On January 4, 2019, Cody Rhodes lost the United States Heavyweight Championship back to Juice Robinson at Wrestle Kingdom 13.

September 2019: Rhodes Reveals Triple H's Reaction to WWE Departure

In September 2019, Cody Rhodes revealed WWE Executive Vice President Triple H's reaction to his WWE departure, stating Hunter took it personally.

2019: WWE Redesigns Intercontinental Championship Belt

In 2019, WWE redesigned the Intercontinental Championship belt around the same time AEW launched, which Cody Rhodes acknowledged was a coincidence.

February 19, 2020: Cody Defeats Wardlow in a Steel Cage Match

On the February 19, 2020, episode of Dynamite, Cody Rhodes defeated Wardlow in a steel cage match to arrange a match with MJF for the Revolution pay-per-view.

March 3, 2021: Rhodes Teaming with Red Velvet Loses to O'Neal and Cargill

On the March 3, 2021, episode of Dynamite, Cody Rhodes teamed with Red Velvet in a loss to Shaquille O'Neal and his partner Jade Cargill in a mixed tag team match.

January 26, 2022: Rhodes Loses TNT Championship to Guevara

At the Beach Break event on January 26, 2022, Cody Rhodes lost the TNT Championship back to Sammy Guevara in a highly acclaimed ladder match.

February 15, 2022: Rhodes and Brandi Leave AEW

On February 15, 2022, Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi left All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as they were unable to come to terms on a new contract.

March 18, 2022: Reports of Rhodes Re-Signing with WWE

On March 18, 2022, multiple sources reported that Cody Rhodes had re-signed with WWE.

January 16, 2023: Rhodes Announces Return to Competition

On the January 16, 2023, episode of Raw, Cody Rhodes announced in a pre-taped video that he would return to competition in the men's Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble on January 28.

2023: Voice Acting in Captain Laserhawk

In 2023, Cody Rhodes voiced a fictionalized version of himself in the first episode of the animated series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.

July 17, 2024: Added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

On July 17, 2024, Cody Rhodes was revealed as one of three WWE wrestlers who would be added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III as playable multiplayer operators.