8 WWE Flops Who Went On To Bigger Things
4. Cody Rhodes
The zany Stardust gimmick Cody Rhodes was tasked with playing had run its course by the time he requested to leave WWE in 2016. He can't be held accountable for the fact his run with the company ended on a low note. Cody, backed by lineage, confidence in abundance and a willingness to work his arse off, looked certain to become a World Champion at one point.
Apparently, that wasn't enough, and even a staunch love of wrestling couldn't stop Stardust from dying a death as he pranced around like a ninny spouting off nonsense about the "Cosmic Wasteland". Contrast that with the super-cool presentation Cody has today. He created that aura, not WWE.
As a member of the Bullet Club, Rhodes looks like he's enjoying wrestling again. The freedom to do his own thing has resulted in entrepreneurial qualities coming to the fore too. The All In event this September is proof of that.
If (or perhaps when) Cody does fancy another crack at WWE, the ball will be in his court. He's a much bigger star for shedding the tired Stardust persona and taking the time to do things that make him happy.