10 Precise Moments Wrestling Fans Rejected Internet Darlings

3. Cody Rhodes - AEW Revolution 2021

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AEW

The stigma of a rejected internet darling isn't irreversible. This doesn't mean pro wrestling fans are fickle; rather, it means that the wrestler has reinvented their character, or turned heel or babyface.

Or, in the case of Cody Rhodes, jumped from one promotion to another.

Upon returning to WWE, he got over huge as a babyface that might have done as much as his AEW run to solidify his legendary status. He became a top star in a promotion that can rarely build them without indulging the devices he apparently relied on. He didn't bleed nor set himself on fire; in working a superb trilogy with Seth Rollins, he proved that he's as good at timeless pro wrestling as anyone.

In AEW, he was doomed.

With his charitable initiatives in mind, he was insistent that he didn't want to turn heel in an ambitious, unprecedented bid to endure the heat and retain the credibility of his character. It didn't work; every committed bump was interpreted by fans as an ego-fuelled overcorrection. This was first felt at Revolution 2020, not '21, and the narrative persisted online throughout his tweener-adjacent TNT Title run. He really annoyed people by barely selling Penta El Zero M's arm-breaker spot on the March 11, 2021 Dynamite, and the distanced crowd at Revolution let him have it in response. He didn't win the Face of the Revolution ladder match, but his gutsy return spot underscored his perception amongst the fans who really didn't want to him to return.

Cody is a fantastic pro wrestler with stunning range, but the thought of the besuited, articulate executive playing Terry Funk was too much for the audience to accept.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!