Cody Rhodes
 |
Cody Rhodes  | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 30, 1985 Marietta, Georgia |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Cody Rhodes Cody Runnels |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Billed weight | [undue weight? – discuss] |
| Billed from | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Trained by | Dusty Rhodes Al Snow OVW |
| Debut | May 13, 2006 |
Cody Rhodes (born Cody Runnels on June 30, 1985 in Marietta, Georgia) is an American professional wrestler currently signed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to its RAW brand as well as its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling.
Runnels is the son of Dusty Rhodes as well as the half-brother of Virgil Runnels III, better known as Dustin Runnels and brother of Kevin Runnels (Kevin Rhodes). He is also nephew to Fred Ottman (better known as "Typhoon" or "Tugboat"), and his godfather is Magnum T.A..[1]
Early life
Cody had a successful high school wrestling career. He won the Georgia state tournament his Junior year at 189 lbs. (going undefeated) and successfully defended the 189 lb. title his Senior year.
Career
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Runnels formed a Tag Team with Shawn Spears in mid August of 2006 and began feuding with Deuce & Domino for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship, capturing the gold from Deuce & Domino twice -- on October 18 and December 13, 2006.
While still OVW Southern Tag Champions, a rift developed between Cody and partner Spears. The two began to feud after Spears became jealous of Cody's success as a singles wrestler. This started when Cody won the OVW Heavyweight Championship from Paul Burchill at a house show on February 17 2007, only to lose it back the next day. Spears went on to win the OVW Television Championship in response. On March 31 2007 at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony Cody, alongside Dustin, inducted their father Dusty Rhodes into the Hall of Fame. On April 11, the duo lost the Southern Tag Titles. Cody went on to defeat his now heated rival on July 6 2007, to become the new OVW Television Champion. Cody would then lose the TV Title back to Spears exactly one week later.
World Wrestling Entertainment
On May 29 2007, Rhodes participated in a Dark Match before SmackDown!'s television tapings, in a match where he defeated Daivari. In that match with Daivari, he was hit with an elbow to the head and had a severe cut; after the match, he was carried by the referees to the back of the arena to get stitches.
On the July 2, edition of RAW, Cody appeared backstage with his father Dusty Rhodes and Randy Orton, where Orton introduced himself to Cody and then slapped Dusty Rhodes as a sign of disrespect. On July 9, Cody slapped Orton in return. The following week, Cody faced Orton in his debut WWE match with his father at ringside, but was pinned after an RKO. Cody appeared at The Great American Bash to prevent further damage to his father from Orton. The next night on RAW Cody challenged Orton to a rematch from the previous week, only to be pinned again in a losing effort. Randy followed this up by kicking Cody's father in the head, similar to how he kayfabe nearly ended the careers of Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels.
After a 0-2 start on live television, Cody was told by Jonathan Coachman on the July 30 episode of RAW that if he did not win his next match he would be fired. Soon after, Cody had his first victory by pinning Daivari, while sporting a badly bruised left eye. Over the next 2 weeks he defeated both member of The World's Greatest Tag Team and was assaulted by them after beating Shelton Benjamin. The next week, he & London and Kendrick beat TWGTT and Daivari in a 6 man tag match. One week later, Rhodes paired with Mickie James defeating Daivari and [[Jillian Hall] with Rhodes using his singnature "Rhodes DDT" on Daivari to get the pinfall.
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- With Shawn Spears
- Attire
- Cody has worn wrestling gear that is half polka dots and half gold, which is a tribute to his father Dusty Rhodes and his half brother Dustin "Goldust" Runnels.
- Cody's current WWE attire is trunks with CR written on them. The colors change every match and also he now wears a black elbowpad on his right arm.