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 an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE on the SmackDown brand, where he is the reigning King of the Ring. He gained prominence as a co-founder, executive vice president, and wrestler for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2019 to 2022 before returning to WWE. His wrestling career includes achievements in both WWE and the independent circuit, making him a significant figure in contemporary professional wrestling.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1993: All In Milestone

In 1993, All In marked the first event by a promoter outside of WWE or World Championship Wrestling (WCW) to sell 10,000 tickets in the United States.

1997: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Royal Rumble Win

In 1997, Stone Cold Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble match, marking the first year of his consecutive wins.

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

In 1998, Stone Cold Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble match for the second consecutive year.

2005: Triple H gives Cody Rhodes' dad a job

In 2005, Triple H gave Cody Rhodes' dad a job. Cody had a conversation with Triple H about it.

May 13, 2006: OVW Debut

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

August 2006: OVW Southern Tag Team Championship Win

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

2006: Signed with WWE

In 2006, Cody Rhodes signed with WWE and featured for its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

July 2, 2007: Television Debut on Raw

On July 2, 2007, Cody Runnels made his television debut on Raw, using his family's wrestling last name, Rhodes, in a backstage segment with his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton. Orton introduced himself to Rhodes and then slapped Dusty as a sign of disrespect.

July 16, 2007: In-Ring Debut on Raw

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

2007: WWE Debut

In 2007, Cody Rhodes debuted in WWE.

January 25, 2009: Royal Rumble Appearance

On January 25, 2009, as part of the Legacy, Cody Rhodes entered the Royal Rumble match to help Randy Orton win, lasting until the final three before being eliminated by Triple H.

July 2009: Gillette "Be a Superstar" Advertising 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 featured wrestlers in videos promoting Gillette Fusion products.

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

In August 2009, Cody Rhodes appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

2009: Video Game Debut in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009

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

January 31, 2010: Royal Rumble Interference

On January 31, 2010, at the Royal Rumble, tension within The Legacy became apparent when Cody Rhodes attempted to interfere in Randy Orton's match for the WWE Championship, resulting in a disqualification for Orton.

2010: Appearance in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010

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

2011: Appearance in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

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

January 6, 2012: Intercontinental Championship Retained

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

January 27, 2013: Tag Team Match at Royal Rumble

On January 27, 2013, Cody Rhodes and Sandow faced Team Hell No at the Royal Rumble.

January 26, 2014: Lost Tag Team Championship

On January 26, 2014, Cody Rhodes and Goldust lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to The New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble.

May 21, 2016: Rhodes requests release from WWE

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. His request was officially granted the following day.

July 19, 2016: Rhodes Announces ROH appearance

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

On December 10, 2016, 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.

2016: Independent Circuit Wrestling

From 2016, Cody Rhodes wrestled on the independent circuit and for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and Ring of Honor (ROH).

2016: Departure from WWE

In 2016, Cody Rhodes departed from WWE.

January 4, 2017: Cody defeats Juice Robinson at Wrestle Kingdom 11

On January 4, 2017, Cody 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 on Impact Wrestling, calling out Moose to thank him for helping his wife Brandi while he was away. He then turned heel by attacking Moose after learning Brandi had Moose's phone number.

May 2017: Dave Meltzer suggests independent wrestling show would be unable to sell out

In May 2017, Dave Meltzer suggested that an independent wrestling show would be unable to sell out a ten thousand seat arena in the United States.

January 4, 2018: Loss at Wrestle Kingdom 12

On January 4, 2018, Cody 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 announced

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

July 2018: Return to Arrow Season 7

In July 2018, Cody Rhodes announced his character Derek Sampson would return for Season 7 of Arrow, appearing in five episodes.

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July 21, 2018: ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions

On July 21, 2018, Cody 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 the launch of AEW

In November 2018, several trademarks were filed in Jacksonville, Florida, that indicated the launch of a new wrestling promotion called All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

2018: All In Promotion and NWA World's Heavyweight Championship

In 2018, Cody Rhodes and the Jacksons independently promoted All In, where he won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship.

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

On January 1, 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was unveiled during a conference in Jacksonville. Cody revealed 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 the United States Heavyweight Championship

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

2019: Cody Rhodes Co-Founded AEW

In 2019, Cody Rhodes co-founded All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and served as its executive vice president and wrestler.

February 19, 2020: Cody defeats Wardlow in steel cage match

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

2020: Rhodes on Undashing Cody Rhodes

In 2020, Cody Rhodes said his time as Undashing Cody Rhodes was his second most successful work as a pro wrestler.

March 3, 2021: Mixed tag team match loss on Dynamite

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 the TNT Championship

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

February 15, 2022: Departure from AEW

On February 15, 2022, it was reported that Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi had left 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.

2022: End of AEW Tenure

Between 2019 and 2022, Cody Rhodes served as an executive vice president and also wrestled for AEW, becoming the inaugural and a three-time TNT Champion.

2022: Return to WWE

In 2022, Cody Rhodes returned to WWE.

January 16, 2023: Rhodes announces return on Raw

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: Royal Rumble Winner

In 2023, Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match.

2023: Voice Acting in Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix

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

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January 27, 2024: Royal Rumble Win

On January 27, 2024, Cody Rhodes won the men's Royal Rumble match after eliminating CM Punk, marking the first time someone had won two consecutive Rumble matches since Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1997 and 1998.

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

On July 17, 2024, it was revealed that Cody Rhodes would be added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III as a playable multiplayer operator, alongside Rey Mysterio and Rhea Ripley.

2024: Royal Rumble Winner

In 2024, Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match.

April 2025: Addition to Clash of Clans as Barbarian King Skin

In April 2025, Cody Rhodes was added to Clash of Clans as a skin for the Barbarian King character in the video game's ClashAMania event.

2025: King of the Ring

In 2025, Cody Rhodes won the King of the Ring tournament.

2025: King of the Ring Tournament Win

In 2025, Rhodes competed in and won the King of the Ring tournament after defeating Randy Orton in the finals at Night of Champions, earning an Undisputed WWE Championship match against John Cena at SummerSlam.