Three weeks into WWE’s new era, and I’m already tired of Cody Rhodes’ reign as Undisputed WWE Champion.
To be clear, I’ve felt the same way after the first and second weeks as well. I considered writing about it earlier, but my wife, whose quality of life has been largely affected by my gloomy attitude, pleaded with me several times to be patient and give Rhodes more time. And every time, I give her the same answer.
“I’m trying.”
When it comes to The American Nightmare, my feelings are complicated. Much of the tribalism fans complain about today was once spearheaded by Rhodes. As a performer, there are quirks to his character that grate on me.
But as a person and representative of professional wrestling, I have a strong admiration for Cody Rhodes. He represents a departure from outdated stereotypes about wrestlers, showcasing the industry in a positive light. Beyond his annoying penchant for delivering theatrical speeches in the ring, he exudes charm in his genuine moments outside the squared circle. Whether it’s WWE, a corporate giant like Amazon, or a local cashier at the 7-11, I wish every business had a spokesperson like Cody Rhodes — someone who can engage, welcome, and serve the public with such charisma and sincerity.
Still, I find the presentation of his brief run as the WWE Champion lacking.
Some of this perception stems from the notion that he’s currently the industry’s top star. While Rhodes is undoubtedly a major figure in wrestling, he hasn’t reached the level of transcendency seen with icons like Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, or John Cena. Despite being touted as the face of a new era, his close ties with management reinforce the belief that he’s more of a corporate construct.
After winning the title at WrestleMania XL, one of Rhodes’ first acts as champion was to invite WWE management into the ring with him to celebrate his victory. The following night on Raw, Rhodes was given a king’s welcome by Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, which included a lovely tribute video. Then, during the WWE Draft on SmackDown, Rhodes and Levesque stood arm-in-arm, introducing the first-round picks for Raw and the blue brand.
At one time, John Cena and Roman Reigns faced significant backlash from audiences, as they were seen as corporate champions despite not being explicitly endorsed by WWE leadership. However, Cody Rhodes is unmistakably positioned as WWE’s top star, openly embraced by management. While this shift may partly reflect recent changes in WWE’s regime, Rhodes’ portrayal still feels contrived, as he appears to be ingratiating himself to management at the same time.
Another problem with Rhodes is the lack of a compelling storyline that fully engages the audience in his success. His upcoming program with AJ Styles, while respectable, serves as a mere appetizer before what should be a more substantial storyline as champion. Thus, the looming question becomes: who will challenge Rhodes after Styles?
Arguably, one of the greatest title reigns by a beloved figure was Hulk Hogan’s time as the WWE Champion from 1984 to 1990. Unlike previous champions, Hogan’s reign was witnessed by a global audience. As mentioned previously on this site, bad guys often equal good business. During Hogan’s two runs as champion within six years, he faced one great heel after another. In 1985, it was Roddy Piper. A year later, it was his friend turned enemy, Paul Orndorff, followed by future former Hulkamaniacs Andre the Giant and Randy Savage.
Those four men played pivotal roles in keeping Hogan white hot and number one in the hearts of fans. But beyond Styles, who on SmackDown’s roster possesses enough villainous charisma to provoke the public and prompt Rhodes to seek vengeance? Who is the monster capable of instilling fear and concern for Rhodes’ safety?
The likely candidate appears to be Solo Sikoa, with his MFT Tama Tonga behind him. Their connections to The Rock could set up Rhodes for a lucrative feud with The Final Boss upon his WWE return, as many expect. Yet, Rhodes has emphasized that a clash with The Rock depends on his ability to maintain fan interest in his character and WWE’s product. If he fails to do so, The Rock might pursue other opportunities or even defeat Rhodes straight away for the WWE Championship to set up more engaging and profitable stories in the future.
Still, most are in the honeymoon period with Rhodes and his championship sovereignty. But even new shoes age fast when one keeps pushing the same mileage ad nauseam. For Rhodes to thrive, WWE needs to dial back the excessive corporate praise and allow him room to develop independently. Equally important, if not more so, it’s crucial to pit Rhodes against a dangerous opponent soon or risk his appeal fading rapidly, like milk spoiling under the Arizona sun rather than aging gracefully like fine wine from California’s vineyards.
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