Cody Rhodes' WWE Characters Ranked - From Worst To Best
Whoa! It's only Stardust's legacy of Rhodes Scholars, Dashing Sons of Plumbers, and Smoking Mirrors!
The recent release of Cody Rhodes brought to an end the WWE career of a wrestler once considered the brightest young star on the roster. A second-generation grappler whose ability to talk and whose in-ring skills meshed to make a complete package the likes of which few future world champions had ever touted, he never lived up to his potential, through no fault of his own.
Lackluster creative, an inability by management to recognize the immense talent at its disposal and disjointed pushes plagued the competitor's career. He was beaten down by illogical writing and disappointing results that had nothing to do with his individual performance.
While there is plenty to look back at negatively, there is so much more positive from Rhodes' WWE run that deserves recognition. No matter what gimmick was given to him or whom he was asked to work with, Rhodes delivered, making the absolute most of it.
With his time in Vince McMahon's traveling circus at its end, relive his most memorable gimmicks: the good, the bad and the bizarre, ranked from best to worst according to overall effectiveness.
8. Son Of A Son Of A Plumber
Cody Rhodes debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment in 2007, the protective son standing up for his legendary father, even if it meant putting himself opposite former world champion Randy Orton. He did not fare so well against The Viper, but Rhodes did eventually earn the respect of Hardcore Holly, with whom he captured the Raw brand's World Tag Team Championships.
Though he was clearly talented, and displayed strong mic work when given the opportunity, Rhodes was still extremely green. There were times he looked nervous or apprehensive and was lucky to have a veteran like Holly to guide him. Fairly generic and with no character to speak of, outside of "Dusty's kid", Rhodes wallowed in mediocrity. Matches with Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch helped him establish himself as a quality tag team wrestler but there was enough raw potential to suggest that the son of the American Dream could be a huge star for Vince McMahon's empire.
Potential or not, it is difficult not to look back at those early days of Cody Rhodes and consider the generic rookie period of his career as his most underwhelming.