5 potential dream matches for Cody Rhodes if he returns to WWE: 14-time WWE World Champion, Former IMPACT World Champion

Cody Rhodes has been a leading figure in the rise of the wrestling scene outside WWE, co-assembling the industry-shaping event All In along with the Young Bucks.

The now fellow EVPs brought the event together after questions were raised over their drawing power, and they made sure to put these doubts to rest with the spiritual pilot for All Elite Wrestling.

AEW has since become the second biggest wrestling promotion in the North American market, and has laid the foundation for the rise of indie promotions such as GCW.

Cody Rhodes can take massive pride and credit for the independent scene we are seeing grow. Ever since he was released from WWE, Cody has unleashed his work rate upon the world.

The former jester character Stardust has worked for and held gold in a variety of promotions including NJPW, WCPW, NWA and GFW in a run that cemented Cody's desire to grow and highlight independent wrestling.

But what if we journey into the phantom zone and browse the possibilities that could manifest should the AEW EVP make a jump back to WWE.

Could we see the heel turn that so many crave? Whether as the American Nightmare heel or the Grandson of a Plumber babyface, Cody Rhodes is a name with many a dream opponent, let's take a look at five of them.

#5 Cody Rhodes vs AJ Styles

Surprisingly enough, the only match that has featured Cody and AJ Styles has been the 2016 Royal Rumble, otherwise known as Styles' WWE debut.

In what has been a tale of two careers in reverse, Cody Rhodes spent a chunk of his career wrestling for WWE, where he captured titles such as the Intercontinental and WWE Tag Team Championships, before finding more success on the independent scene.

AJ Styles - on the other hand - spent a large chunk of his career racking up championships on the independent scene in promotions such as NJPW and TNA before joining World Wrestling Entertainment, where he has become the WWE Champion on multiple occasions.

Beyond the reverse parallel, AJ Styles and Cody Rhodes represent two top quality wrestlers. They both possess a firm understanding and devotion to the craft and have a penchant for crafting compelling storylines in the ring.

But what pushes their pedigree through the roof is their work rate, almost willing to take any bump, and weave high spots seamlessly into their narrative. AJ Styles vs Cody Rhodes would be a classic wrestling match, presenting a tale in the ring told by two people who speak wrestling as their native tongue.

#4 Cody Rhodes vs Triple H

The Cody Rhodes and Triple H comparisons were always going to be made since he and his wife Brandi took upper management positions in AEW. The continued comparisons are a product of the referencing that Cody has sewn into his marquee matches.

Rhodes most notably brought out the sledgehammer and golden shovel. One is a literal instrument used by Triple H in matches, and the other a metaphoric phrase coined when The Cerebral Assassin has beaten younger stars.

Both of these have become synonymous with The Game's career and as a result, Cody has intentions to play to the comparisons when planning these antics.

As famously described, there is no smoke without fire, and as such the comparisons between Rhodes and Trips bare some truth within.

Rhodes was notoriously polarizing during his first TNT Championship reign: His open challenge did highlight new stars and grant opportunities, but at the same time gave Cody wins over a lot of younger talent.

This was considered especially egregious due to Cody's creative position within the company. It was at this time the comparisons to Triple H, who is in a similar position of control and has also been seen accumulating wins against fresh talent.

Beyond the comparisons, both Rhodes and Trips are classic wrestlers having lived and breathed the business for the entirety of their careers. Their match would be nothing less than good, a well-worked and paced story and an ode to the traditional roots of the craft.

#3 Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton

Perhaps his greatest rival in WWE, Randy Orton could have been the making of Cody Rhodes as a main event attraction. Instead, Cody had always played second fiddle to his Legacy stable leader, and never rose to the main event where it felt he was destined to be.

Randy Orton has continued a glistening Hall of Fame worthy career in WWE. Cody, on the other hand, has manufactured his own destiny, taking the independent scene by storm and holding world titles. Cody would return to WWE a completely different figure from the one that had exited prior. Now it truly feels like Cody Rhodes can hold a candle to Orton once again.

Should Cody Rhodes make his way to WWE for a final run in the ring? It would carry sentimental weight to have one last match between the two generational talents.

Randy Orton was one of the final opponents in the career of Dusty Rhodes. It only seems right that Cody Rhodes stands opposite Orton for one of his final outings.

#2 Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre

Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre share a history both within and outside the WWE boundary. They have held the WWE Unified Tag Team titles together, and have gone to war with each other for the WCPW Pro Wrestling World Cup. But their battles have never had the stage they truly deserve.

When their paths have crossed either stood shoulder-to-shoulder or face-to-face, they have been in a state of carving their way. Cody was never truly able to break the upper midcard glass ceiling during his time with WWE, a fate McIntyre also suffered during his initial run.

Both names were gone from WWE after remaining in creative purgatory, but both names would also go on to carve their legacies on the independent scene regardless. This has proved to be the foundation of their success, and their post-WWE careers have seen two opposite results.

Drew McIntyre has since returned to WWE to win the Royal Rumble and then the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes has helped build AEW and was the inaugural TNT Champion.

Should Cody Rhodes make his return to WWE, Drew McIntyre may stand in the way of the American Nightmare's retribution with the company.

#1 Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns

The Tribal Chief is the perfect antagonist for the Homelander-esque Cody Rhodes. In a story that will make you question the established hero/villain roles, played by two masters of character development.

The story of Roman Reigns' return to dominate the SmackDown roster as the malevolent leader of the Anoa'i dynasty is well-documented.

Often going under the radar is the seemingly self-aware and gradual heel turn of Cody Rhodes. Although fans clamor for it, we have yet to see this confirmed. As of now, it appears that Cody is standing at the line in the sand between heel and babyface.

The once subtle references have become abundantly clear. After declaring his match against Sammy Guevara, he teased the walk into the heel tunnel before making a point of switching trajectory.

Roman Reigns made his return to WWE to capture the Universal Championship after manipulating a clause in the match contract, and has since made it clear he is as venomous as he is manipulative during his run as the Tribal Chief.

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns have perfected the art of manipulation, with the Tribal Chief manipulating his Bloodline brethren Jimmy and Jey Uso, and the American Nightmare manipulating the crowd. It's no different to than he has previously manipulated the Young Bucks against Kenny Omega in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Two excellent characters responsible for crafting compelling stories, Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns may well be the epitome of cinematic wrestling. `

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