A WWE Hall of Famer has suggested that Cody Rhodes should consider altering his character and overall presentation on WWE programming. During the February 6 episode of SmackDown, Cody delivered an impassioned promo addressing his recent elimination from the Royal Rumble by Drew McIntyre, the Undisputed WWE Champion, as well as the heated rivalry between WrestleMania 42 contenders CM Punk and Roman Reigns showcased on the February 2 episode of Raw.
The promo earned significant acclaim from Mark Henry, who compared Cody’s style to that of his father, Dusty Rhodes. However, Bully Ray, co-host of Henry’s Busted Open podcast, offered some criticism regarding Cody’s current persona and portrayal. Speaking with Dave LaGreca on Busted Open, Brie expressed a desire to see a “rawer,” less polished “American Nightmare,” reminiscent of her father’s rugged, gritty demeanor. She described Dusty’s look as unkempt, often sporting jeans and a half-tucked rock’n’roll T-shirt, or even a suit that looked like it had seen better days, giving off an edge that she feels Cody could adopt.
While Brie acknowledged that Cody’s current style works, she emphasized wanting a tougher, edgier version of him, admitting that with all the battles Cody has faced over the past five years—including intense rivalries and physical challenges—there’s potential for a deeper, more genuine anger and intensity in his character. She hopes his ongoing clashes, particularly with Drew McIntyre, will push him toward this evolution.
Cody Rhodes is set to compete in a three-way Elimination Chamber qualifier against Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn on the upcoming SmackDown episode airing February 13.
Fan Take: This push from a seasoned wrestling legend to reshape Cody’s character highlights the ongoing evolution necessary in WWE storytelling to keep fans engaged. Cody’s potential transformation could bring a fresh dynamic to WWE programming, providing new layers to his persona and raising the stakes for future rivalries.
