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, performing on the SmackDown brand as the Undisputed WWE Champion in his third reign. Before returning to WWE in April 2022, Rhodes was instrumental in the creation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019, serving as both an executive vice president and wrestler. He is well-known in the professional wrestling world for his contributions both inside and outside the ring.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1993: All In Sales Milestone

In 2018, Rhodes and the Jacksons promoted All In which was 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.

2004: Second Georgia State High-School Championship

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

May 13, 2006: Ohio Valley Wrestling Debut

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

August 2006: OVW Southern Tag Team Championship

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

2006: Cody Rhodes Signs 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, using the last name Rhodes, made his television debut as a face on Raw in a backstage segment with his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton. Orton disrespected Dusty, leading to a rivalry.

July 16, 2007: Main Roster In-Ring Debut

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

2007: World Tag Team Championships

Beginning in 2007, Cody Rhodes won seven world tag team championships with four different partners.

May 2008: Feud with Ted DiBiase Begins

In May 2008, Ted DiBiase began feuding with Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly, threatening to take their titles.

January 25, 2009: Royal Rumble Participation

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.

January 31, 2010: Tension within The Legacy at Royal Rumble

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.

2011: Intercontinental Championship belt redesign

In 2011, Cody Rhodes introduced in storyline the redesign for the Intercontinental Championship belt. This design was used until 2019.

January 6, 2012: Retains 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, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow faced Team Hell No in a tag team match at the Royal Rumble.

January 26, 2014: Tag Team Title Loss at Royal Rumble

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 requested his release from WWE, citing creative frustrations and dissatisfaction with his role, particularly his continued portrayal as Stardust, which he had wanted to end for over six months. The request was officially granted the following day.

July 19, 2016: Rhodes announces appearance at ROH's Final Battle

On July 19, 2016, Cody Rhodes announced his appearance at Ring of Honor's (ROH) Final Battle pay-per-view, scheduled for December 2.

December 10, 2016: Rhodes joins Bullet Club in NJPW

On December 10, 2016, Cody Rhodes, billed as "The American Nightmare", announced via video package his membership in Bullet Club at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) World Tag League finals.

2016: Rhodes Wrestles on Independent Circuit

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: Cody Rhodes Departs WWE

In 2016, Cody Rhodes departed WWE.

January 4, 2017: Rhodes' debut match at Wrestle Kingdom 11

On January 4, 2017, Cody Rhodes debuted at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome, defeating Juice Robinson.

February 23, 2017: Rhodes returns to Impact Wrestling and turns heel

On February 23, 2017, Cody Rhodes returned to Impact Wrestling, initially to thank Moose for helping his wife Brandi, but he turned heel by attacking Moose after learning Brandi had Moose's phone number.

May 2017: Rhodes and The Young Bucks plan All In show

In May 2017, after Dave Meltzer suggested an independent wrestling show couldn't sell out a 10,000-seat arena, Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks challenged the idea by planning the 'All In' show.

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

On January 4, 2018, Cody Rhodes faced Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 12, but was defeated.

May 13, 2018: Tickets to All In sell out in 30 minutes

On May 13, 2018, tickets for the All In wrestling show sold out in 30 minutes, demonstrating the drawing power of independent wrestling.

May 2018: All In show announced

In May 2018, it was announced that the wrestling show planned by Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks to challenge the idea that an independent wrestling show could not sell out a 10,000-seat arena would be named All In.

July 21, 2018: Cody 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 won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, marking his first reign. They defeated The Kingdom to win the titles.

November 2018: Trademarks filed for new wrestling promotion

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

2018: Rhodes Promotes All In and Wins NWA 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 in Jacksonville, with Cody Rhodes, Matt and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega serving as Executive Vice Presidents and on-air talent.

January 4, 2019: Rhodes loses United States Heavyweight Championship

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

2019: Rhodes Serves as EVP for AEW

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.

2019: Cody Rhodes Co-founds AEW

In 2019, Cody Rhodes co-founded All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and served as an executive vice president and wrestler until 2022.

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

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

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2020: Undashing Cody Rhodes Character Success

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

March 3, 2021: Rhodes teams with Red Velvet in mixed tag team match

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

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January 26, 2022: Rhodes loses TNT Championship back to Guevara

At the Beach Break event on January 26, 2022, Cody Rhodes lost the TNT Championship back to Sammy Guevara in a ladder match. This would be Rhodes's last match in AEW.

February 15, 2022: Rhodes and his wife leave AEW

On February 15, 2022, it was reported that Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi Rhodes had left AEW after failing to agree on a new contract. Cody cited a personal issue as the reason for leaving AEW.

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, marking his return to the company.

April 2022: Cody Rhodes Signs with WWE

In April 2022, Cody Rhodes signed with WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand. He is also the current Undisputed WWE Champion.

2022: Cody Rhodes Departs AEW

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

January 16, 2023: Rhodes announces return to competition at Royal Rumble

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.

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2023: Royal Rumble Win

In 2023, Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match.

January 27, 2024: Wins Men's Royal Rumble Match

On January 27, 2024, at the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes won the Men's Royal Rumble match after eliminating CM Punk. This marked the fourth instance of someone winning consecutive Rumble matches.

2024: Royal Rumble and Crown Jewel Championship Wins

In 2024, Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match for the second time and the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship.

February 1, 2025: Defeats Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match

On February 1, 2025, at Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes defeated Kevin Owens in a Ladder match for the championship, with both belts on the line, ending their feud.