Cody Rhodes is one of the most popular and successful wrestlers in the world today. He is the current WWE Champion and the leader of The Elite, a faction that includes his brother Dustin Rhodes, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Adam Cole. But how did Cody become such a star? And what is his relationship with his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes?
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Cody and Dustin are half-brothers and sons of Dusty
Cody and Dustin are real-life half-brothers and were once managed by their father, wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes. They were a sub-group of The Elite. The tag team was formed when Cody was fired from the WWE after losing to Randy Orton in a match prompted by Cody’s questioning of the company’s chief operating officer Triple H’s authority.
Cody and Dustin have a 13-year age gap between them, which means they did not have a childhood together. Dustin began his wrestling career in 1988 when Cody was only three years old. Cody revealed that Dustin was his favorite wrestler growing up and that he helped him with his amateur wrestling practices.
Dusty Rhodes was a legend in the wrestling industry
Dusty Rhodes, also known as “The American Dream”, was one of the most charismatic and influential wrestlers of all time. He was a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and a WWE Hall of Famer. He was known for his feuds with Ric Flair, Harley Race, Terry Funk, and many others. He also created the concept of WarGames, a match that involves two teams fighting in two rings surrounded by a steel cage.
Dusty worked for various promotions such as NWA, WCW, ECW, and WWE. He also became a booker, producer, trainer, and mentor for many wrestlers. He was the head of NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, where he helped shape the careers of stars like Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Charlotte Flair, and his son Cody.
Dusty Rhodes and Vince McMahon had a complicated relationship
There is a common perception among fans that Vince McMahon, the owner of WWE, never liked Dusty Rhodes or his family. Some believe that McMahon humiliated Dusty by making him wear polka-dot trunks and dance with Sapphire, a female valet, when he joined WWE in 1989. Others think that McMahon has always tried to hold back Cody and Dustin from reaching their full potential in WWE.
However, Cody has denied these claims and said that his father made the most money of his career as a performer in WWE. He also said that McMahon respected Dusty as a creative mind and a performer. Cody admitted that there might be some truth to the narrative that the McMahons have pushed the Rhodes family a bit, but he also said that it’s a fun narrative to play with.
Dusty Rhodes passed away in 2015 but his legacy lives on
Dusty Rhodes died on June 11, 2015, at the age of 69 due to kidney failure. He was survived by his wife Michelle, whom he married in 1978 and described as his “best friend”, and his four children: Dustin, Cody, Teil (a former WWE referee), and Kristin (a former cheerleader). His death was mourned by the entire wrestling community and fans around the world.
Dusty’s legacy lives on through his sons Cody and Dustin, who have continued to honor him in their matches and promos. Cody has used Dusty’s signature moves such as the bionic elbow and the cross rhodes. He has also paid tribute to him by wearing polka-dot gear or using his theme song. Dustin has adopted Dusty’s nickname “The Natural” and has painted half of his face black and gold to represent their bond.
Cody and Dustin have also followed their father’s footsteps as creative forces in the wrestling industry. They are both executive vice presidents of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a new promotion that competes with WWE. They have been involved in some of the most memorable matches and moments in AEW history, such as their bloody battle at Double or Nothing 2019 or their emotional hug after winning the AEW World Tag Team Championship at Full Gear 2019.
Conclusion
Cody Rhodes is related to Dusty Rhodes by blood and by spirit. He is the son of one of the greatest wrestlers ever and the brother of one of the most versatile performers ever. He is also a wrestling star in his own right who has achieved success in multiple promotions. He is carrying on the legacy of his father while creating his own.
