INQUISITR.COM / Sports

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes Set To Make ‘Impact Wrestling’ Debut Tonight

By Chris Featherstone
Published on: 05:56 PST, Sep 22, 2016

Cody Rhodes is certainly a man who knew how to pick up on the nuances anointed to him by his legendary late father, Dusty Rhodes. Over nine years ago, the “American Dream” was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame after a very poignant speech by Cody and his brother, Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes. At the time, Rhodes was only 21, but he already knew how to cut a riveting promo to put someone over. Rhodes had just started his pro wrestling career shortly before this speech, but he was able to ascend to the main roster just a few months after.

Throughout his career, WWE tossed him in a number of different gimmicks. He was a tag team partner with Hardcore Holly, winning the championship. He then turned on Holly and aligned himself with fellow pedigreed wrestler Ted DiBiase Jr. He then became a member of the Legacy faction, along with multiple-time WWE Champion Randy Orton, Manu of the Samoan dynasty, and eventually Sim Snuka, son of WWE Hall of Famer “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka.

Winning more tag team gold as a Legacy member, the faction eventually split up, and Rhodes gained an opportunity to cement himself as a singles star. This prompted the debut of “Dashing” Cody Rhodes.

This gimmick gained mild success, earning yet another tag team championship run with Drew McIntrye, but it was the alter ego of this gimmick that gave him one of his best runs in the company. On an episode of SmackDown, Rhodes received a 619 from Rey Mysterio during a match. This caused him to feel less confident about his image while wearing a plastic mask in the ring. He also had goons come to the ring with him and hand spectators brown paper bags. He would also place it over the heads of opponents after he was done defeating them.

[Image by WWE]

Rhodes was able to defeat Rey Mysterio in one of his biggest moments of his career at WrestleMania XXVII and win the Intercontinental Championship a few months later and retain it for eight months before getting dethroned by the Big Show at WrestleMania XXVIII. Rhodes’ WWE run continued to be hot and cold after this championship reign.

He teamed with Damien Sandow as Team Rhodes Scholars, split with Sandow after tension following the Money in the Bank match of that year, had an initial successful team with his brother Goldust, went on a losing streak, left and returned as Stardust, became a villain with his brother, split up from his brother, and never managed to create much steam from the Stardust character. The lack of consistency caused Cody to ask for his release from the company.

On the Independent circuit, Rhodes received thunderous ovations, particularly during his time with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) in the Battle of Los Angeles annual tournament. He was one of the hottest free agents before being announced as part of the December Ring of Honor Final Battle pay-per-view.

Being one of the only wrestlers who has network freelance capabilities, competing for rival promotions that are both televised, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) recently announced that Rhodes will be making his debut at tonight’s Impact Wrestling show.

https://youtu.be/imKgl3C7Jws

This appearance may be used to boost a sinking TNA brand, and the amount of time that he will devote to the company is doubtful to be the same as his wife, Brandi, who just signed with the company as a full-time wrestler in the Knockouts division. It does not look like it will be a full-time deal for Cody, as he is still promoting a number of independent shows for the rest of the year.

Hopefully, this creates some much-needed buzz for TNA, especially since Rhodes is still considered a hot commodity. However, with the host of independent shows he is scheduled for, it does not appear to be a long-term lock for him to be involved with the company.

[Featured Image by WWE]

Share this article: Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes Set To Make ‘Impact Wrestling’ Debut Tonight
wrestling Cody Rhodes
More from Inquisitr