What If... Cody Rhodes Never Left WWE In 2016
Would so many stories have ever been finished?
A dream that once seemed impossible 8 years ago became a moving reality on April 7, 2024.
The son of a son of a plumber lifted the title his daddy never won two years on from returning home to WWE - a company that once threatened to kill his 'American Dream' of being the megastar he always knew he could be.
However, Cody Rhodes' call to bet on himself and request his release in 2016 kicked off a series events that changed not only his life, but the industry as a whole.
Once the Stardust make-up had been packed away for good, 'The American Nightmare' was soon born. Rhodes would go on to make towns all over the globe, quickly becoming one of the most in-demand names on the independent scene as he began to connect with the other super talented folks plying their trade outside the "big leagues."
Appearances in TNA, ROH, and NJPW would also follow, with all that hard work eventually leading to Cody and his Elite pals once again feeling confident enough to bet on themselves. And it was that specific All In 2018 bet that set the stage for an All Elite alternative that ultimately made the business a far better place than it had been for much of the prior two decades.
In other words, this eventual WWE Champion's decision to leave the security of the sports entertainment bubble turned out to be a wonderful game-changer - for everyone.
So, imagine a world, then, where the current hottest babyface on planet earth never chose to do any of that.
A world where Rhodes just got his head down and once again reapplied the soul-crushing painted star on his mug.
A world where the independent scene never experienced the nightmare.
And a world where Young Bucks, 'Cleaners', and more never crossed paths with the man with adrenaline in his soul.
The more you think about it, has there really been a more impactful talent departure in wrestling since the turn of the millennium?
Sure, CM Punk turning his back on wrestling in 2014 sucked for those praying for change in the industry. But the business wasn't affected all that much by his departure. WWE just kept doing their thing. Whereas the consequences of Rhodes' exit are still being felt and seen today, and likely will for years to come.
But what if it never went down at all?
Well, for one thing, Samantha Irvin probably wouldn't have been emotionally delivering the words "AND NEEEEEW!" in Philadelphia...