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 who has significantly impacted the modern wrestling landscape. The son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, he began his career in WWE before departing in 2016 to establish himself as a global independent star. He played a pivotal role as an executive vice president and inaugural talent for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), helping to launch the promotion in 2019. In 2022, Rhodes made a high-profile return to WWE, where he ascended to the top of the card as one of the company's most popular babyfaces. His narrative culminated at WrestleMania XL, where he defeated Roman Reigns to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship, fulfilling his goal of finishing his family's story and cementing his legacy as one of the premier performers of his generation.
1969: Dusty Rhodes begins professional wrestling career
In 1969, Dusty Rhodes officially entered the world of professional wrestling, beginning a storied career that would influence future generations, including his son Cody Rhodes.
1999: Early wrestling aspirations
By 1999, Cody Rhodes began showing interest in amateur wrestling while attending high school, setting the foundation for his future career in the industry.
2003: Georgia State Wrestling Championship
In 2003, Cody Rhodes achieved a significant athletic milestone by winning the Georgia state wrestling tournament in the 189 lb (86 kg) division during his junior year of high school.
2004: Second Georgia State Amateur Wrestling Championship
Cody Rhodes secured his second Georgia state high-school championship in amateur wrestling in 2004.
May 13, 2006: Cody Runnels Debuts in Ohio Valley Wrestling
On May 13, 2006, Cody Rhodes began his professional wrestling career competing under his birth name, Cody Runnels, in the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) promotion.
August 2006: Formation of Tag Team with Shawn Spears
In August 2006, Cody Runnels formed a professional tag team partnership with wrestler Shawn Spears, leading to their success in winning the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship twice during that period.
July 2, 2007: Cody Rhodes WWE Television Debut
On July 2, 2007, Cody Rhodes made his televised debut on WWE Raw in a backstage segment featuring his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton, during which Orton disrespected Dusty by slapping him.
July 16, 2007: Cody Rhodes In-Ring Main Roster Debut
On July 16, 2007, Cody Rhodes competed in his first official main roster wrestling match on Raw, suffering a pinfall loss to Randy Orton.
2007: Commencement of Tag Team Success
Starting in 2007, Cody Rhodes began an era of tag team success that would lead to him winning seven world tag team championships over the next nine years.
May 2008: Ted DiBiase Begins Feud with Rhodes and Holly
In May 2008, professional wrestler Ted DiBiase initiated a rivalry with the tag team duo of Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly, aiming to challenge them for their championships during his debut on the Raw brand.
2008: Shift in Character Alignment
In 2008, Cody Rhodes transitioned into a character phase that preceded his 2013 face turn, marking the beginning of the timeline established for his long-standing persona developments.
January 25, 2009: Royal Rumble Match Participation
On January 25, 2009, Cody Rhodes competed in the Royal Rumble match as a member of The Legacy faction, successfully assisting Randy Orton until he was eventually eliminated by Triple H as one of the final three remaining participants.
August 23, 2009: SummerSlam Defeat against D-Generation X
On August 23, 2009, at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase were defeated by the newly reformed D-Generation X, featuring Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
September 13, 2009: Victory at Breaking Point
On September 13, 2009, at the Breaking Point pay-per-view, Rhodes and DiBiase secured a victory over D-Generation X in a submissions count anywhere match.
October 4, 2009: Hell in a Cell Loss
On October 4, 2009, during the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase lost a Hell in a Cell match to D-Generation X after Rhodes was pinned following a blow with a sledgehammer.
October 25, 2009: Bragging Rights Appearance
On October 25, 2009, Cody Rhodes represented Team Raw at the inaugural Bragging Rights pay-per-view, where his team was defeated by Team SmackDown.
November 22, 2009: Survivor Series Match
On November 22, 2009, at Survivor Series, Cody Rhodes participated as part of Team Orton against Team Kingston, where Kofi Kingston ultimately secured victory for his team.
January 31, 2010: Interference at the Royal Rumble
On January 31, 2010, Cody Rhodes attempted to interfere in Randy Orton's WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble event. The interference caused a disqualification, leading to a physical confrontation between Orton, Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase.
2010: Cody Rhodes Transitions to SmackDown
During the 2010 WWE supplemental draft, Cody Rhodes was officially moved to the SmackDown brand, marking a significant shift in his career trajectory that same year.
January 21, 2011: Cody Rhodes suffers a broken nose during SmackDown
On January 21, 2011, during an episode of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes faced Rey Mysterio in a match where he sustained a legitimately broken nose from Mysterio's knee brace, resulting in his absence from television and a change in his 'Dashing' persona.
January 6, 2012: Cody Rhodes Retains Intercontinental Championship Against Booker T
On January 6, 2012, Cody Rhodes successfully defended his Intercontinental Championship against SmackDown commentator Booker T, marking a continuation of their feud.
January 27, 2013: Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow at Royal Rumble 2013
On January 27, 2013, Cody Rhodes and his tag team partner Damien Sandow faced the WWE Tag Team Champions, Team Hell No, in a match at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.
January 26, 2014: Loss of Tag Team Championships at Royal Rumble
On January 26, 2014, at the Royal Rumble event, Cody Rhodes and Goldust were defeated by The New Age Outlaws, resulting in the loss of their WWE Tag Team Championship titles.
2016: Departure from WWE
After a period involving various gimmicks like Stardust, Cody Rhodes departed from the WWE promotion in 2016.
2016: Cody Rhodes Begins Independent Circuit Career
In 2016, Cody Rhodes began wrestling on the independent circuit and for promotions including New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and Ring of Honor (ROH) using the mononym Cody.
2018: Promotion of All In and NWA Championship Win
In 2018, Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks independently promoted the wrestling event All In, during which Cody won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship.
2019: Co-founding of All Elite Wrestling
In 2019, Cody Rhodes helped co-found the promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he served as an executive vice president and wrestler.
2019: Formation of AEW
In early 2019, following the success of the All In event, Cody Rhodes helped form the professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he served as an executive vice president until 2022.
2020: Rhodes reflects on his Undashing persona
In 2020, Cody Rhodes publicly stated that his tenure as the 'Undashing Cody Rhodes' character was the second most successful phase of his professional wrestling career.
April 2022: Return to WWE
As of April 2022, Cody Rhodes is officially signed to WWE and performs on the SmackDown brand.
2022: Conclusion of AEW Tenure
By 2022, Cody Rhodes concluded his tenure as an executive vice president and wrestler for AEW, having achieved the status of a three-time AEW TNT Champion during his time with the promotion.
2022: Return to WWE
In 2022, Cody Rhodes made his official return to WWE after a six-year hiatus.
2023: Royal Rumble Victory
Cody Rhodes won the prestigious Royal Rumble match for the first time in 2023 following his return to the promotion.
2024: Multiple Championship Victories
In 2024, Cody Rhodes achieved significant milestones by winning the Royal Rumble match for the second consecutive year and claiming the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship.
2025: King of the Ring Victory
Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the King of the Ring tournament during 2025.
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