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The talk of Cody Rhodes joining WWE has grown quiet. The American Nightmare surprisingly left All Elite Wrestling after helping to start the company with Tony Khan, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks. Cody is regarded as the most sought-after free agent and someone that WWE views as a can't-miss signing.
It is a stark contrast to how the company previously viewed the former WWE Superstar. Cody Rhodes spent a decade with World Wrestling Entertainment and accomplished quite a bit.
He is a former two-time Intercontinental Champion and a six-time Tag Team Champion. Rhodes also had a few memorable feuds against the likes of Rey Mysterio, Big Show, and The Shield.
With his potential return on the horizon, the promotion has to look back on history at the positives and the negatives.
Although Cody felt held back and left to achieve even greater heights, he needs to be positioned as a top star to help the company in the future. It seems like an ideal time to look back on these moments. Here are the five greatest Cody Rhodes moments in WWE.
#5 In the greatest Cody Rhodes moments in WWE: Aligning with Ted Dibiase and Randy Orton to create Legacy
Cody Rhodes was introduced to World Wrestling Entertainment as the wet-behind-the-ear son of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes. After losing a battle against Randy Orton, Cody got into a rivalry-turned-partnership with Hardcore Holly that brought him his first championship gold in WWE.
His first tag team title reign with Holly met his biggest obstacle when another second-generation talent, Ted Dibiase, debuted. The son of the Million Dollar Man wanted the tag team gold and also seemed to be looking to recruit Rhodes.
This led to a title defense at the Night of Champions 2008. In a shocking turn, Cody betrayed Hardcore Holly and won the titles with Dibiase.
His partnership with Ted Dibiase was cut short by an injury, but Rhodes found himself being recruited again.
This time, it was Randy Orton who wanted to build his own Legacy. With Rhodes and Dibiase, he did just that. With the two young stars behind him, Orton regained the WWE title and sat on top of Monday Night RAW. The group helped all three men own the spotlight for over a year.
#4 Cody Rhodes breaks out in the SmackDown Money In The Bank Ladder Match at Money In The Bank 2013
At Money In The Bank 2013, the SmackDown edition of the titular ladder match featured all heels. The Shield's Dean Ambrose, Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro, Fandango, Wade Barrett, Damian Sandow, and Cody Rhodes battled it out for the briefcase. There were a lot of exciting and breathtaking moments that highlighted everyone involved.
However, Rhodes shined the brightest. With seven rule-breakers involved, the fans were forced to choose their favorite.
Cody stood out for his devil-may-care attitude in putting his body on the line to gain possession of the briefcase, but it was none other than Cody's Rhodes Scholars' tag team partner Damian Sandow who screwed him to win the match.
#3 Cody Rhodes defeats Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 27
When Cody went out on his own after Legacy broke up, he became "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. He had become more concerned with his looks over victories and everything else it takes to be a successful WWE Superstar. However, Rhodes had his world shattered when Rey Mysterio hit a 619 on Cody to break his nose.
Following the incident, Cody went into hiding, but he eventually returned to gain vengeance on Mysterio. With a new face protection mask in tow, this was a different Rhodes.
He was now "Undashing." Cody and Rey went one-on-one at WrestleMania 27, with Rhodes defeating Mysterio. It was the first major singles win of Cody's career and foreshadowed more success to come.
#2 Cody Rhodes resurrects the vintage Intercontinental Championship
After the win over Mysterio, Cody Rhodes set his sights on the Intercontinental Championship. He eventually beat Ezekiel Jackson to win the title. Most IC champs at the time had lackluster reigns that were never remembered or affected the superstar's career. Rhodes, however, immediately became different from those before him.
During this reign, Cody retired the era's Intercontinental Championship and reintroduced the vintage title that was beloved by long-time fans. Rhodes became synonymous with the championship due to his importance in bringing back the iconic version. Many fans will want him to regain the title upon his return to bring that version back once again.
#1 Cody Rhodes and Goldust defeat The Shield to save their jobs with their father Dusty in their corner at Battleground 2013
2013 seemed like the year that Cody would finally break out. That performance at Money In The Bank made him a fresh and popular babyface.
Following his feud with Sandow, WWE transitioned to a rivalry with the Authority. After a loss to WWE Champion Randy Orton, Cody was fired from the company.
Goldust's return wasn't successful in earning Cody's job back. Not even the pleads from Dusty Rhodes could help his son. It got Dusty fired as well, unfortunately. However, Battleground 2013 presented the Rhodes family with the redemption that they sought.
Cody and Goldust faced The Shield in tag team action with the stipulation that if the Rhodes brothers won, they, along with Dusty, would earn their jobs back. What followed was an excellent tag team encounter that was filled with highs and lows. The four men put on an emotional and dramatic battle that escalated in intensity.
The Rhodes Brothers were given an assist by their dear old dad in delivering his signature bionic elbow to Dean Ambrose on the outside before Cody got the pin on Seth Rollins to give them the victory.
It was a truly memorable moment for the fans and the Rhodes family. That's why Cody and Goldust's win at Battlegrounds 2013 was the most memorable Cody Rhodes moment in WWE.
How do you think Cody Rhodes' latest WWE run will go if he is to return? Let us know in the comments below.
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