WWE Live Review From Allentown - 10 Interesting Observations From Ringside

By Erik Beaston /

6. Cody Rhodes Is An Elite Performer

As someone who has watched Cody Rhodes perform at many a WWE Live Event, it has never been as apparent as it is with the Stardust character that the son of WWE Hall of Famer "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes is an elite performer in the world of sports-entertainment. Over the course of his career, Cody has been handed so many crappy gimmicks, gimmicks that should have never succeeded, and has made the absolute most of each and every one of them. As Stardust, it is clear to see that he is having as much fun as he has ever had. By completely submerging himself in the character and not concerning himself with being the cool or edgy villain, he has helped the Stardust character catch on with fans in a way that few could have ever imagined. Whether he was climbing on the guardrail, proclaiming to the fans that "indeed, Pluto IS still a planet," or placing his WWE Tag Team Championship around the head of wife (and ring announcer) Eden at ringside, he portrayed his new persona to perfection. When someone is that devoted to the role he or she is playing, it is that much easier for audiences to accept and buy in to what that performer is selling. That Cody has completely changed his in-ring style up, bar a few signature maneuvers, to better suit the character has only helped to ensure the overall success of the character. What should have come across as a cheap knockoff of the revolutionary Goldust character instead has been given its own unique tics and personality traits thanks to the greatness of the man behind the face paint.