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 professional wrestler currently signed with WWE, performing on SmackDown. He gained prominence as a co-founder, executive vice president, and wrestler for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2019 to 2022. Rhodes' career encompasses both wrestling performance and executive roles within the professional wrestling industry.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1993: All In attendance milestone

In 2018, 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 since 1993.

2003: Georgia State High-School Championship

In 2003, Cody Rhodes won a Georgia state high-school championship as an amateur wrestler.

2003: Georgia State Tournament Win

In 2003, as a junior in high school, Cody Rhodes won the Georgia state tournament at 189 lb (86 kg).

2004: Second Georgia State High-School Championship

In 2004, Cody Rhodes secured his second Georgia state high-school championship as an amateur wrestler.

2005: Dusty Rhodes gets a Job in WWE

In 2005, Triple H gave Cody Rhodes' father, Dusty Rhodes, a job in WWE, fostering loyalty. Cody acknowledged his appreciation for Triple H's support of his father, but emphasized his need to forge his own path and leave the company.

May 13, 2006: Cody Runnels Debuted in OVW

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

August 2006: Formed Tag Team with Shawn Spears

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

2006: Cody Rhodes Signed with WWE

In 2006, Cody Rhodes signed with WWE and joined 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 as a face, using his family's wrestling last name, Rhodes, in a backstage segment with his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton, where Orton disrespected Dusty.

July 16, 2007: In-Ring Debut on Raw

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

2007: Start of WWE Career

In 2007, Cody Rhodes began his career in WWE.

2008: Team Rhodes Scholars

In 2008, Cody Rhodes dissolved Team Rhodes Scholars after Damien Sandow turned on Rhodes.

January 25, 2009: Royal Rumble Appearance

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

July 2009: Rhodes featured in Gillette "Be a Superstar" campaign

In July 2009, Cody Rhodes became one of the faces of the Gillette "Be a Superstar" advertising campaign, alongside Chris Jericho and John Cena, promoting Gillette Fusion products.

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

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

2009: Cody Rhodes' video game debut

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

2010: Appearance in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010

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

2010: Drafted to SmackDown and Mentored Husky Harris

In 2010, Cody Rhodes was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the WWE supplemental draft and later mentored Husky Harris in the second season of NXT.

2011: Appearance in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

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

2011: Rhodes introduces Intercontinental Championship belt design

In 2011, Cody Rhodes introduced the design for the Intercontinental Championship belt, which would be used until 2019.

January 6, 2012: Retained Intercontinental Championship

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, after returning from injury, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow faced the champions Team Hell No at the Royal Rumble.

January 26, 2014: Lost Tag Team Titles

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

May 21, 2016: Rhodes Requested WWE Release

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

July 19, 2016: Rhodes announces ROH appearance

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

December 10, 2016: Rhodes joins Bullet Club

On December 10, 2016, Cody Rhodes, billed as "The American Nightmare", announced himself as the newest member of Bullet Club in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

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) under the mononym Cody.

2016: Cody Rhodes Departed WWE

In 2016, Cody Rhodes departed from WWE.

January 4, 2017: Rhodes wins 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: Rhodes returns to Impact Wrestling

On February 23, 2017, Cody Rhodes returned to Impact Wrestling, initially thanking Moose but then attacking him after learning Brandi had Moose's phone number, turning heel.

May 2017: Rhodes challenges wrestling show attendance claim

In May 2017, Cody Rhodes, along with The Young Bucks, challenged Dave Meltzer's suggestion that an independent wrestling show could not sell out a ten thousand seat arena in the United States.

January 4, 2018: Rhodes faces Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 12

On January 4, 2018, Cody Rhodes faced Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 12 and lost.

May 13, 2018: All In tickets sell out

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

May 2018: All In show announced

In May 2018, Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks announced that their independent wrestling show would be named All In, as a challenge to the claim that independent wrestling shows are unable to sell out a 10,000 seat arena.

July 2018: Rhodes character returns for Arrow Season 7

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

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July 21, 2018: Cody wins ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship

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

November 2018: Trademarks Filed for New Wrestling Promotion

In November 2018, several trademarks were filed in Jacksonville, Florida, signaling the upcoming launch of a new wrestling promotion, which would later be revealed as All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

2018: Rhodes Won NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship at All In

In 2018, Cody Rhodes won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship at All In.

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

On January 1, 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was unveiled, with Cody Rhodes, along with Matt and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, announced as Executive Vice Presidents and on-air talent. Cody signed a five-year contract with the promotion.

January 4, 2019: Rhodes loses United States Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13

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

2019: Cody Rhodes Co-founded AEW

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

2019: WWE redesigns the Intercontinental Championship belt

In 2019, WWE redesigned the Intercontinental Championship belt, whose previous design was introduced in storyline by Cody Rhodes. Rhodes acknowledged this as a coincidence coinciding with the launch of AEW rather than an intentional separation from him and considered the belt to be due for a redesign.

2019: Formation of AEW

In early 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was formed, directly influenced by the success of All In in 2018.

February 19, 2020: Rhodes defeats Wardlow in a steel cage match

On February 19, 2020, Cody Rhodes defeated MJF's bodyguard, Wardlow, in a steel cage match on Dynamite, fulfilling one of the stipulations set by MJF to earn a match against him at the Revolution pay-per-view.

March 3, 2021: Rhodes teams with Red Velvet against O'Neal and Cargill

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

January 26, 2022: Rhodes loses TNT Championship to Guevara

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

February 15, 2022: Rhodes leaves AEW

On February 15, 2022, Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi left AEW after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract.

March 18, 2022: Rhodes re-signs with WWE

On March 18, 2022, Cody Rhodes reportedly re-signed with WWE.

April 2022: Cody Rhodes Signed with WWE

In April 2022, Cody Rhodes signed with WWE and began performing on the SmackDown brand.

2022: End of AEW Tenure

Between 2019 and 2022, Cody Rhodes served as an executive vice president and wrestler for AEW, marking the end of his tenure in 2022.

2022: Cody Rhodes Returned to WWE

In 2022, Cody Rhodes returned to WWE.

January 16, 2023: Rhodes announces Royal Rumble return

On the January 16, 2023, episode of Raw, Cody Rhodes announced his return to competition in the men's Royal Rumble match.

2023: Rhodes voices himself in Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix

In 2023, Cody 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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2023: Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble

In 2023, Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match.

July 17, 2024: Cody Rhodes added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

On July 17, 2024, Cody Rhodes was revealed as one of the WWE wrestlers to be added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III as a playable multiplayer operator.