Cody Rhodes' Best Matches, Reviewed
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- The longer Cody Rhodes spends in the spotlight at the top of the card in WWE, the higher profile matches he will continue to have. Rhodes' list of great matches has expanded ever since he made his return to the WWE in 2022, adding on from his existing catalog of strong bouts in AEW, NWA, NJPW, and his previous run in WWE. Even as recently as the last year, fans have seen some of the best Cody Rhodes matches ever, many of which being in the main event of premium live events such as at WrestleMania and Survivor Series.
Cody Rhodes has finally realized his potential in the last few years - ever since parting ways with WWE back in 2016 - and has reinvented himself to an absolute star and distinguished main eventer. With him now back in WWE, he looks set to be a multi-time world champion by the time his career comes to a close.
10 Definitive Best Last Man Standing Matches In WWE History, Ranked
These WWE Last Man Standing matches got the formula and pacing right, making for entertaining and physical clashes between heated rivals.Rhodes’ list of great matches has grown over the years - even more so since leaving WWE, but what are his 10 definitive greatest matches? His best matches will be assessed by TheSporter’s match rating system, ranking his greatest from number 10 to number 1 (his very best). This will be compared to both ratings on Cagematch.net and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer.
UPDATE: 2024/03/20 11:30 EST BY ANDREW KELLY
The longer Cody Rhodes spends in the spotlight at the top of the card in WWE, the higher profile matches he will continue to have. Rhodes' list of great matches has expanded ever since he made his return to the WWE in 2022, adding on from his existing catalog of strong bouts in AEW, NWA, NJPW, and his previous run in WWE. Even as recently as the last year, fans have seen some of the best Cody Rhodes matches ever, many of which being in the main event of premium live events such as at WrestleMania and Survivor Series.
15 Cody Rhodes Vs. Sammy Guevara, AEW Dynamite: Beach Break 2022
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7/10
Storytelling | 1.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.52
Cody Rhodes’ last ever match in AEW was a thrilling one, and Rhodes put it all on the line on his way out of the company in a ladder match for the TNT Championship. Rhodes and Sammy Guevara didn’t bring too much psychology to this one, and instead just had an all-out spotfest - but it was great! Rhodes and Guevara masterfully put together several insane spots, such as a springboard cutter from atop a ladder, which was one of the most breathtaking moments of the whole year. The crowd went wild for every big moment, and it was littered with them. There wasn’t too much selling or storytelling, which does take some points away.
14 Cody Rhodes Vs. Seth Rollins, WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 1.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.61
Cody Rhodes’ first rival upon his WWE return was the perfect match for him, coming in the form of Seth Rollins. Contrary to their WrestleMania match, this one was far more fluid and crisp, with Rhodes firmly shaking off any ring rust. The crowd wasn’t as into it as their initial match, but they still clearly enjoyed what they were seeing. They traded counters throughout, with Rhodes picking up the win with a roll-up. It was certainly slower and more methodical, but that didn’t stop it from being a strong match.
13 Cody Rhodes & Dustin Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins, WWE Battleground 2013
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 3.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.23
The Rhodes Family warred with The Authority’s hired goons of The Shield in a show stealer at Battleground 2013. It wasn’t an all-time clinic, but the action was still strong, with both Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in particular bringing a high workrate to the table. What carried this most of all was the thrilling storytelling, with the brothers fighting for their jobs and showing clear urgency in this match. The crowd responded in kind, going wild for what they were seeing. It had fun moments such as Dusty Rhodes’ involvement, and it was capped with an emotional victory for Cody Rhodes & Goldust.
12 Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns, WWE WrestleMania 39 Sunday
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10
Storytelling | 1.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 1.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.53
Cody Rhodes’ clash with Roman Reigns is an underrated one, with the perception being dampened by an admittedly awful finish in which Solo Sikoa interfered to give Roman Reigns a frustrating win. The half an hour of action before that though was stellar.
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CM Punk already has a long list of classic matches in his WWE career, and he's looking to add a few more with his latest run!It had a big fight feel with the crowd strongly invested in the spectacle. Rhodes’ underdog heart was strongly felt, with Reigns’ “Tribal Chief” persona presenting him as a dominant and mean heel. There wasn’t a dull moment despite the slower portions, with every rest hold and heat segment having meaning behind it. Psychology was strong here, as was the character work, and that helped to carry it.
11 Cody Rhodes Vs. Mr. Brodie Lee, AEW Dynamite: Chris Jericho Anniversary Show 2020
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 1.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.57
Cody Rhodes dyed his hair black to showcase just how dark he was willing to go to win back the TNT Championship. Brodie Lee and Rhodes went to war here in a brutal, hard-hitting Dog Collar match which featured blood and big spots such as a package piledriver through a table. It felt like an authentic fight, and it may not have been the cleanest and most fluid of bouts, but that fit the stipulation. They worked with the chain well, and it didn’t get in their way of completing moves. Due to the pandemic, the lessened crowd made it so the atmosphere wasn’t electric, but that was arguably the only downside.
10 SmackDown Money In The Bank Ladder Match, WWE Money In The Bank 2013
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.75/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating: 3.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.39
One of the best Money in the Bank ladder matches came in 2013 on the SmackDown side, and a big part of that was due to the performance of Cody Rhodes. Rhodes underwent a babyface turn during this match with his fast-paced offense and looking like a great underdog. In the end though, his own tag team partner betrayed him in Damien Sandow, who went on to win the match. The whole match had a fantastic structure, great spots, and a storyline throughout.
9 Cody Rhodes Vs. Darby Allin, AEW Fyter Fest 2019
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.75/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 3.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.42
This match between Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin might not have been the most structured and well-wrestled of their career, but in terms of what it accomplished, it was a fantastic match. Fans went into this being unfamiliar with Allin, cheering on Rhodes, but due to Allin’s performance, his courage, and his willingness to put his body on the line, he was turned into a star and fans were hugely behind him. The time-limit draw was a great part of this, with Rhodes unable to get the job done in time. It was a great debut for Allin and one which kicked off his AEW career in the right way. The post-match Shawn Spears attack left a sour taste for fans, but this match was still great.
8 Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match, WWE WrestleMania 31
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling | 1.75/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.25/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating: 4.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.68
The Intercontinental Championship was on the line in the opener of WrestleMania 31, and even though it was under the strange atmopshere of a sunny setting, the match was very enjoyable. It wasn't your typical spot-fest, with every moment being naturally built to and being executed to near perfection.
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Roman Reigns is the greatest WWE Superstar of this generation, with a long list of classic matches.It could perhaps had some more storytelling and threads throughout, but either it was a star-studded clash and it had the crowd into it. Rhodes (Stardust in this match) notably look a huge superplex from atop a ladder.
7 Cody Rhodes Vs. Seth Rollins, WWE WrestleMania 38 Night One
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling | 1.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.61
It must be said that Cody Rhodes’ first match back in WWE wasn’t the cleanest, as ring rust did in fact lead to some sloppy spots here and there, but it only added to the urgency and the need to prove himself for Rhodes. Rollins and Rhodes pulled out all their greatest hits here in front of a hugely invested crowd who were electric from the moment Rhodes walked out. It was a spectacle, and that helped to carry the match to being as good as it was. With no storyline going in, this did lack from a storytelling perspective, but they both still brought a big fight feel to the occasion for sure.
6 Cody Rhodes Vs. Nick Aldis, NWA 70th Anniversary Show 2018
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: N/A
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.46
This was a throwback match that really had the crowd hooked throughout. At NWA’s 70th Anniversary Show, Cody Rhodes defended his NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Nick Aldis. The 2-out-of-3 falls stipulation was handled well, as it allowed for a slower pacing with more psychology fit in. Rhodes paid tributes to many of his friends and rivals throughout, but it also came with a lot of technical grappling and focus on building the match up to a strong crescendo. Perhaps the result wasn’t perfect with Rhodes losing so soon into his title reign, but it was still a strong match regardless.
5 Cody Rhodes Vs. Chris Jericho, AEW Full Gear 2019
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling | 2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 1.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.25
After a super build, Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho delivered with a match that often goes overlooked when it comes to the best AEW matches of all time. It had a big fight feel, the psychology throughout was brilliant, and the storytelling (particularly in the last portion) was top notch. Rhodes’ future as a title contender was on the line, and it ended with MJF throwing in the towel to cost him the AEW World Title. This all followed a great back and forth match which was inadvertently elevated by Rhodes’ botched dive and scary cut on his head.
4 Team Cody Vs. Team Judgment Day, WWE Survivor Series 2023
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling | 1.75/2.5 |
Technical Ability | 2.25/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.20
In terms of physicality and violence, this WarGames match isn't up there with the most memorable of all time, but where this match stood out the most was in its execution, storytelling, and structure. Everything was performed well, the match flowed, the crowd was super into the bout, and the different dynamics in terms of storylines, allegiances, and enemies was well done. Cody Rhodes led his team to victory over The Judgment Day, which was then followed up by the stunning return to WWE of CM Punk.
3 Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match, WWE WrestleMania 32
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 1.75/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating: 4.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.05
Despite a line-up which didn't excite fans too much, this ladder match delivered in a massive way. It was fast-paced, featured innovative spots, and had memorabe moments such as Zack Ryder picking up an upset win and walking away as the new Intercontinental Champion. Rhodes was in this match as "Stardust", but even with a gimmick he wasn't too fond of he still put in a strong performance here. He even pulled out a ladder paying homage to his father, called "Starbird".
2 Cody Rhodes Vs. Seth Rollins, WWE Hell In A Cell 2022
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10
Storytelling | 2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.07
Arguably Cody Rhodes’ best match in WWE was this thrilling spectacle with Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell. The visibility torn pectoral muscle of Rhodes added a lot of realism, and the shocked silence from the crowd upon the reveal was goosebump inducing.
10 Definitive Best WWE WrestleMania Main Events, Ranked
The biggest matches in WWE history have headlined WrestleMania. Which main event from WWE's Grandest Stage Of Them All tops the list?The crowd did struggle throughout this match though, which was a shame. They were loud for the right bits, but overall it was quieter than some other matches here, otherwise this would be rated even higher. Rhodes fought around his injury in a masterpiece of professional wrestling, and Rollins responded in kind by targeting the injury in a psychological masterclass. It was brutal, emotional, and one of the best matches in WWE history.
1 Cody Rhodes Vs. Dustin Rhodes, AEW Double Or Nothing 2019
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10
Storytelling | 2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.39
Cody Rhodes’ best ever match came at Double or Nothing 2019, and it was absolutely stunning. A bloody, emotional, and throwback war between two brothers stole the show. It wasn’t a technical masterpiece, which is the only reason it doesn’t get the full 10/10, but aside from that it was near perfect. The crowd was invested a huge amount, the storytelling and battle to be the superior brother was executed like a dream, and the character work was sensational. It felt like the most important match of either man’s careers, and it truly helped to put AEW on the map.
