Booking His Return....

[Jtrivera]

I am talking about Cody Rhodes, who up until recently was playing Stardust. There is speculation as to whether or not Cody will be coming back as himself or Stardust. As much as people don't want to see WWE use Dusty's death as a storyline, it most likely will be. Examples? (Paul Bearer, Eddie,) and many more. Those deathe have been used to not only further storylines but to also start them or end them (Chris Benoit's death caused McMahon to end his storyline of him faking being dead.)

We all know WWE isn't afraid to use real life situations to their fictional advantage. We also all know Dusty, being the booker that he is, would probably say "hey baby use me to further my son in a storyline". That's just how much Dusty loves the business, so the question here is how does Cody Rhodes return and make an Impact? Very simple, Cena comes out on Monday Night Raw and does his U.S challenge, suddenly "American Dream" starts playing, the first start going nuts. Right after the intro part of that theme it breaks into Cody's music,

The pop itself would be huge with the transition done correctly, Cody comes out, heads to the ring. The music cuts off with him staring at Cena. John being the guy that he is, goes to apologize for Dustys unfortunate death, but Cody smacks him and the match begins. Toward the end Cena hits that stunner of his and goes for the AA. Cody counters and hits cross rhodes for the clean win, giving him a U.S title run and the perfect symbol of "The American Dream" now we see a more serious and focused Cody Rhodes than ever before. He doesn't even need to talk on the mic, he could say "my actions will speak louder than words ever will, and when you're going through hard times, you need to look at yourself in the mirror and become the man you were destined to be".

Thoughts?

 

[James2293]

It's a good idea in theory but what then? I mean you got a good one night thing but if Cody doesn't talk then you take away his biggest asset which is the mic.

 

[BillAlfonsos_Whistle]

Cody Rhodes is criminally under-used by the WWE and always has been. He's done nothing but hit home runs with all (usually shitty) angles and gimmicks he had. If he could make DASHING CODY RHODES work he can make ANYTHING work.

It's why I really have a shitload of respect for both Dustin and Cody. They never had a complex about being mid-carders even though they had a father in position to leverage for their careers it's apparent that never happened and the three of them would be insulted by such a thing.

I'd like to see the OPs idea although give him the IC belt back. Make him the best IC champion of his era. Give him a long run with it. They botch the mid card so bad. Who wouldn't want to see a classic 30 minute bout between Cesaro and Cody for the belt???

 

[Messiah]

Wasn't Stardust going to feud with some celebrity?.. Stardust hasn't been seen in a while, he wasn't really relevant when he was around, which is unfortunate, Cody is a tremendous talent. He should be used a lot more but i don't expect him to... I'm undecided if he should stay Stardust or not. He was more successful as Cody Rhodes and this Stardust gimmick isn't going anywhere, but Cody Rhodes as himself is pretty generic, it's nice he has a character that he can play off of, like when he wore the plastic mask. It seems like he can pull off any gimmick, much like his father.

 

[armageddon99]

Eddie's death turned Kerwin White back into Chavo Guerrero. He received a push in the upper mid card I believe after that. I think the Stardust gimmick is past is expiration date anyway. Idk how they planned on bringing him back from Stardust (if they were) but it probably would have been horrible in one way or the other. It's unfortunate, but his father's death is the most organic and acceptable way to take him out of a gimmick that has begun and will continue to hold him back as a talent.

It was entertaining to watch while he teamed and feuded with Goldust, but I want to see Cody back. Any incarnation of Cody Rhodes has a much higher chance of prolonged success than Stardust.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

Wasn't Stardust going to feud with some celebrity?

Stephen Amell AKA Green Arrow

I like OP idea but dont think it will gona work any time soon. Especially part when they push Cody in the way that he beats Cena cleanly.

One thing I always wondered is why Dusty never used backstage power to at least try to push Cody further. He is good wrestler and could be used better so have to wonder why WWE havent ever tryed anything bigger with him then Tag Teams and midcard jobbing with occasional winnings. Was it because Dusty didnt wanted to push it backstage? Or Dusty tried but WWE just saw Cody like midcarder and never ever more then that? Because I have to wonder why they didnt even try anything meaningfull with all these years with Cody. Though he is 29 so he still has fairly good time to make something more in WWE.

 

[Aquaman6686]

This idea works fine for me. Cody Rhodes is similar to The Miz for me in that he's very underrated, underused, and works best when he's holding a championship. A clean victory over John Cena for the US title would be great, but I'd tweak the idea a little and hold off until after SummerSlam. Have Kevin Owens beat Cena for the United States Championship at SumerSlam, then issue his first Open Challenge the following night on RAW, and have Cody Rhodes beat HIM for the title instead. It would be a huge upset (sad to say, since there's no reason Cody Rhodes shouldn't beat Kevin Owens) and immediately thrust Cody Rhodes back into the upper midcard.

 

[allketchupisnotthesame]

I believe its because hes about as noteworthy as tan carpet.

Hes got a generic moveset and a smushed in gremlin face.

Please keep him away from any Dusty coattails gimmick. I wouldnt mind seeing Goldust rehash his old,not to mention brief, American Nightmare Gimmick tho.

 

[Vanilla Midget]

I have no challenge with Cody dropping or remaining as Stardust. I have no challenge with Dusty's death causing Cody to receive a push. Stardust or not, he needs to be booked as a threat. Stardust has generally been pushed as crazy and largely a choke artist. You don't have to win matches to look like a threat, it's all in the presentation.

Dusty would want his son to use him in a storyline if it would help get Cody over. I think Stardust has been pretty over as a heel, see the "Cody" chants, and I see no reason to change the character unless it means a push. Otherwise it's kind of why bother?

As far as you idea goes, it's great, except the timing. Cena is in the middle of a feud with Kevin Owens and throwing Cody in the angle might muddle the mixture. Cody could feud with Owens for the title when the feud is done, but I fear he may not be successful.

Cody has had a lot of personalities. Rookie, entitled jackass, dashing, undashing, moustache, and Stardust to name a few. His characters in the past have flopped because he's been booked weakly. He was booked strong with Holly and booked ok with Legacy before they were fed to Orton. Undashing was a truly interesting character that honestly never should have gone away. Becoming a new American Dream because his dad died (RIP) might devolve into an impersonator style gimmick like Axel and Sandow.

Let Cody be himself. Give him that happy side from his neutral gimmick, but give him that nutso mean streak of Undashing and Stardust. Have him come out to his Undashing theme sped up. Have him wear a shirt like "son of a wrestler" or "son of a common man." Let him cut a hard times promo about the gimmicks WWE has given him. Have him enter through the crowd and wear the Stars and Stripes.

If they repackage Cody Rhodes again it has to matter. Maybe Goldust and him can have a moment at Summerslam after Stephen Amell beats Stardust. Cody hugs his brother and Cody is pushed. If he's not pushed, continue to be Stardust. It's ok for him to be Stardust, he's doing his daddy proud.

But seriously bring back Undashing Cody mask and everything. Also RIP Dusty, your death brought hard times, but your life brought so many good ones.

 

[rge2010]

Never was a fan of Dusty Rhodes. I don't remember him achieving anything in WWE/WWF back in the day but I never watched any of the other organisations in the 80s and 90s. His promos were simply terrible, the guy couldn't even speak properly. But it was sad to lose him as he was doing a fine job down at NXT.

I am the same with Cody Rhodes. Simply do not understand the love for him. He is a midcarder at best and that is where he deserves to be.

Goldust on the other hand is a tremendous talent and the best of the three in my opinion. Again he will never leave (or never left) midcard but his character, in ring ability and mic work is extremely good.

 

[Un-Bo-Lievable Jeff]

I may be very harsh here, but just because of the passing of his father, why should Cody be entitled to win the US title?

Bring him back on his own merits when he is ready. I don't understand this sense of entitlement because of a tragic event in his life.

 

[rage72]

I have a few thoughts on this

1) Because of the respect and love the fans have for Dusty I believe the fans will cheer Cody/Stardust when he returns regardless of the character he returns to.

2) Dusty would want the WWE to use his death if it means his sons can benefit from it.

3) Dusty did get polka dots over and said he could get over in a diaper so as for the excuse that his gimmicks is the reason Cody hadn't got over may not be the case, truth is he's boring on the mic.

4) I would either like to see the Rhodes Brothers return minus the make-up and go by Dustin and Cody or see Dustin/Golddust get a main event push which I don't think he was given a chance even back in his heyday.

 

[Mustang Sally]

.... suddenly "American Dream" starts playing, the first start going nuts. Right after the intro part of that theme it breaks into Cody's music.......... John being the guy that he is, goes to apologize for Dustys unfortunate death, but Cody smacks him and the match begins.

Interesting idea, but what comes after that for Cody? Is he to remain a bad guy, which is something I know some of his fans are dying to see? It would seem a tribute to this father would leave the fans cheering him, not reviling him as a heel......although with today's fan (especially when the opponent is Cena) will cheer a heel.

Still, if WWE management planned to continue the Stardust character, is it worth scrapping his entire identity just to honor the guy's father for one night?

I could sooner appreciate the manner in which WWE gave tribute to Eddie Guerrero by arranging for Chavo Guerrero to cleanly defeat Triple H. Yes, it was only a one-time occurrence, but that's what tributes usually are. A hell of a gesture by Triple H, too.

I'd like to see Cody pay homage to his Dad, but if he's scheduled to continue as Stardust, leave it be.

 

[Aquaman6686]

Still, if WWE management planned to continue the Stardust character, is it worth scrapping his entire identity just to honor the guy's father for one night?

I could sooner appreciate the manner in which WWE gave tribute to Eddie Guerrero by arranging for Chavo Guerrero to cleanly defeat Triple H. Yes, it was only a one-time occurrence, but that's what tributes usually are. A hell of a gesture by Triple H, too.

I think the Stardust gimmick has long since run it's course, it's time for Cody Rhodes to return.

And yes, Chavo only beat Triple H once, but his push was definitely not a one-time occurrence. He also cleanly pinned Triple H, had lengthy feuds with Rey Mysterio and Chris Benoit that resulted in numerous PPV matches, and won a World Championship. That's more than a one-time tribute to Eddie.

 

[MCMG]

Some people thought he should have won MITB which is just moronic. The WWE have a dilemma for sure. The natural thing to do is have him turn babyface. I suppose if Goldust is healthy then they can come back as a tag-team because there is space on the roster for another team. Plus, the two of them fighting in honour of their dad is quite touching.

There are already a fair amount of babyfaces on the roster. Cody would either get a big push or be lost in the shuffle.

I suppose they could have him come back as Cody but as a heel. He would obviously focus on what has happened and what he thinks of the people mourning Dusty. That, however, might be a little much.

I reckon they should wait for Goldust to get healthy and reform the tag-team. That would be a great way to pay tribute to their father without it becoming awkward.

 

[t2ne]

I'd bring him back with a real seriousness to him. Cut a promo about being pissed about the crappy gimmicks(something like hard times but different). Have him with a real cold serious look like malenko and show case his wrestling ability along with a bad temper(stardust) but allow him to be Cody Rhodes.
If not being him back lost and each week be one of his character till he finds the perfect blend finally finding himself which gives time for some other fueds to play out then he could be pushed.
I've also wanted a horsemen like stable created and he could be a part of that along with cesaro and Kidd upon his return and a big man but that's unlikely

 

[LODemolition]

Talk about a great situation here where they can have something positive come out of a tragedy. Stardust wasn't an awful gimmick in my opinion, but I just prefer Cody so much more as himself. And since the feud with he and Goldust never really panned out, there's no reason for him to not return as himself, whenever his return might be. He's going to get cheered anyway now, there's no denying that. Cody lacks on the mic, but he's always been a solid worker and will always be a valuable part of the midcard in my opinion.

Another way to use him is to team him up with the now partnerless Cesaro. Or put him with Jack Swagger and reform the Real Americans. Rhodes could use a manager to do his talking for him. I think he could excel in either of those situations.

 

[justinept]

I'm trying to think of an instance where the death of a professional wrestler has gotten a friend or loved one over with the crowd, and I can't come up with anything.. The closest example would be Mysterio where the death of Eddie Guerrero propelled him to the championship scene. BUT, Mysterio was already decently over, and I really don't think the death of Guerrero got him any more over - it just gave him a new spot on the card and a bigger pay check. (And for what it's worth; it did absolutely nothing for Chavo.)

There's a reason this doesn't work, and it sounds callous - but the truth is, no one is going to think about Dusty Rhodes in 6 months. He's on the forefront of our mind right now because his death is fresh, and he'll remain there for a little while each time we see Goldust or Stardust, but humans have a way of moving on from these things very quickly. It's a survival mechanism of sorts. We can't dwell on the death of every person forever. It would be overwhelming...

So while it would work for a very short time, we'd eventually be right back where we started. Cody Rhodes would be an above-average worker with below-average mic skills who doesn't connect with the audience.

 

[Aquaman6686]

I think the Stardust gimmick has long since run it's course, it's time for Cody Rhodes to return.

And yes, Chavo only beat Triple H once, but his push was definitely not a one-time occurrence. He also cleanly pinned Triple H, had lengthy feuds with Rey Mysterio and Chris Benoit that resulted in numerous PPV matches, and won a World Championship. That's more than a one-time tribute to Eddie.

This should have said, "also cleanly pinned JBL". My bad.