10 Things We Learned From Cody Rhodes On Out Of Character
7. How Dan Lambert Changed Everything
Yes, Dan Lambert.
The loudmouth AEW manager literally handed Rhodes the same WWWF Title belt Dusty had clutched back in 1977. Remember that pic Cody flashed up on the tron during his aforementioned Raw comeback speech? That was the same championship Lambert had in his possession, and he gifted it to Cody backstage.
That inadvertently turned Rhodes on to the thought of launching a WWE return and winning the updated World Title for real. As soon as Dan handed him the thing, Cody took a deep breath and thought: "This is what has to happen and what needs to happen".
In other words, Lambert accidentally shoved Rhodes towards the All Elite exit door without anyone even knowing it. That belt struck a chord with Cody and made him wonder what it'd be like to rejoin WWE and gun for the richest prize on offer there.
What an amazing story - that's what Rhodes was talking about when he told Ryan his journey is totally authentic.