What did you think of Cody Rhodes debut match in WWE?
As Cody Rhodes prepares to have his first match on Raw since his return to WWE at Wrestlemania 38, we look back on the debut match of the American Nightmare in his first run in WWE.
The young Cody Rhodes was only 22 when he made his WWE debut. While it was not the most exciting debut in WWE history, it set the stage for a man who go from being the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes and eventually a top star in the world of wrestling, known worldwide as The American Nightmare.
Cody Rhodes debut
Cody Rhodes debut in WWE can during a backstage segment on the July 2 2007 episode of Monday Night Raw. Cody Rhodes appeared in a backstage segment along with his father, Dusty Rhodes, and his future tag team partner, Randy Orton.
In his WWE debut appearance, Cody Rhodes was introduced backstage to a number of superstars by his father, Dusty Rhodes. The first was “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, a former opponent of Dusty Rhodes, who Dusty introduces to Cody and the pair shake hands and have a short chat.
However, they are soon joined by Randy Orton, currently in the midst of his famous Legend Killer gimmick. Orton soon introduces himself to the young Rhodes, proclaiming that like how Randy became better than his father (Cowboy Bob Orton), Cody Rhodes would too become better than his father.
When called out on being disrespectful to The American Dream, he proceeds to slap Dusty Rhodes, proclaiming “How’s that for disrespectful?”. Dusty Rhodes then holds back young Cody Rhodes from attacking Randy Orton, before the segment ends and the video fades to black.
A week later, Cody Rhodes would return the favour, slapping Randy Orton to defend the honour of his father. This led to Cody Rhodes debut match the next week, against noneother than Randy Orton himself.
Cody Rhodes WWE Debut match
Cody Rhodes debut match in WWE was against Randy Orton on July 16 2007 episode of Monday Night Raw.
Cody Rhodes was 22 at the time of his debut, making him one of the youngest WWE wrestlers ever. He was joined by Dusty Rhodes at ringside, who had a rivalry going with Randy Orton over the last few weeks on WWE Monday Night Raw.
Cody Rhodes WWE debut ended in defeat, as he was defeated by former World Champion Randy Orton in a short match. Orton dominated the majority of the match, and directed most of his attention to ringside, where Dusty Rhodes was watching Orton beating down his son.
Cody Rhodes did manage some punches and a missile dropkick onto Orton, but failed to get the win over his future Legacy team mate.
He hit the RKO to win a short match, and tried to attack Dusty Rhodes after the match. However, he was foiled by The American Dream, and that would set up a clash of Randy Orton vs Dusty Rhodes at The Great American Bash 2007, in a Texas Bull rope Match.
Cody Rhodes was at ringside for that match, and was his debut appearance on a PPV.
Cody Rhodes AEW Debut
Cody Rhodes debut match in AEW was at AEW Double or Nothing 2019, where he faced his brother Dustin Rhodes in the match of the night. The duo had both left WWE (Cody in 2016, Dustin in 2019) and had helped form All Elite Wrestling along with Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks.
Their match was on the first AEW pay per view Double or Nothing 2019, and their match had very little build outside of a single video package with interviews from the pair.
However, it detailed a sibling rivalry that could only get solved inside an AEW ring, and reminded fans of the brothers recently deceased father, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes first match in AEW was one of the companies greatest. It was an instant classic that build slow, but was full of emotion and storytelling. It showed a side of Dustin and Cody that no-one knew was in there and showed how incredible storytelling should function inside a wrestling ring.
Along with Cody Rhodes last match in AEW, his first match gained a five star rating from Dave Meltzer and is still one of AEW’s highest rated matches ever.
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