WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes recently revealed how his character has changed since his return to WWE. Rhodes left the WWE in 2016. Upon his return in 2022, he was placed in the main event picture immediately. However, prior to leaving in 2016, Cody Rhodes was a fixture in the mid-card. When he left he was portraying the Stardust character. It was a joke character that he tried to make the best of but has gone on record that he hated.
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Cody Rhodes’ current character is a far cry from Stardust or “Dashing” Cody Rhodes. He was recently a guest on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet and Van Vliet brought up how he always fully commits to his character. He asked if Rhodes is in character now and Rhodes talked about how he doesn’t feel like he is portraying a character anymore on or off TV. Cody Rhodes stated the following:
“I think once I left WWE the first time and went out and did my own thing, I think I kind of ceased to be a character and just accepted the fact that, present yourself. Not present the self that you want to be. That’s where the suits and stuff came from. Present yourself but be yourself.
“No, I don’t feel I’m in character now … Sometimes I wish there was a little bit more of a character I could hide into … The world knows you; they have a sense of you, and they can wrap an opinion around it.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
Cody Rhodes Shares a Look Behind the Curtain
Rhodes went on to talk about how the wrestlers he grew up watching were these colorful characters and the fans didn’t know who they were. However, since his character is him and he is open about his thoughts and dreams it gives fans more access to him. He admits that fans having that kind of access to himself is amazing, but can also be a burden.
In 2016 when Rhodes left WWE, he wrestled in the indies and Japan and began the journey of not wrestling as a character. By the time he helped to found AEW in 2019, he had become comfortable wrestling as himself and knew how to make the most of it.
Since returning to WWE in 2022, Rhodes has main-evented premium live events and even WrestleMania. He became the face of WWE and is the current Undisputed WWE champion after beating the unbeatable Roman Reigns.
Homelander Rhodes?
Rhodes has also adopted a signature look for himself. He has taken his American Nightmare name and incorporated it into his gimmick. He has a red, white, and blue coat and tights. Fans have been comparing him to Homelander from the show, The Boys. Rhodes was asked if his attire was inspired by Homelander. His answer, while recognizing why fans would think that, was a big no and denounced the actions of Homelander.
“With all the love I have for The Boys and his [Antony Starr’s] performance as Homelander, the entire cast, and their production is first class, … the robe is not based on it. The robe is based on military dress uniforms.
“… I think the AEW run where people thought I’m pretending to be a good guy but I’m actually a bad guy, which maybe was what was happening. I think that’s where it really became ‘’He’s gonna go full Homelander, He’s gonna go full Homelander’ Truthfully, Homelander the character is a terrible human being.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc.
Rhodes went on to explain that going “full Homelander” would require him to turn heel. He further explained that he has no intentions to turn heel in the near future. Wrestling and WWE especially move very fast and things change quickly, but he doesn’t see himself turning heel at this point.
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Rhodes’ feud with The Bloodline didn’t end when he defeated Roman Reigns. His feud has continued with this new Bloodline. The next big step in their feud will be at SummerSlam on Saturday, August 3. He will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa.
Do you like this new version of Cody Rhodes which is very close to his authentic self? Do you think more wrestlers should adopt a more genuine character or can only certain people make it work? Have you noticed the similarities to Homelander in Rhodes’ attire? Should he try to move away from looking so similar? Let us know on social media if you think Solo Sikoa can fully become the Tribal Chief and dethrone Rhodes in his championship at SummerSlam.
SOURCE: Wrestling Inc., INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Wrestling Inc.
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