Cody Rhodes has crossed the line back into WWE. The former Executive Vice President of AEW and a founding member of that company made significant speculation come true by appearing on Night 1 of WrestleMania 38 as the opponent of Vince McMahon’s decision against Seth Rollins.
Rhodes, who recently resigned his position as EVP and performer for AEW, received a loud ovation from those in attendance at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. He was greeted with a pyro celebration in the ring, on the entrance ramp and on stage before his signature music played, and he returned to WWE for the first time since 2016.
A major storyline that spilled over into the first night of WrestleMania 38 involved a mystery opponent for Rollins, chosen by McMahon, the WWE Chairman. Rhodes made his triumphant return with the same theme music and artistic performance he used in AEW.
Rhodes and Rollins put on an exciting physical contest that will go head-to-head for match of the night. “The American Nightmare” took the brunt of the damage, with visible swelling on his forehead and copious amounts of redness around his body. At the start of the competition, Rhodes briefly showed Stardust’s mannerisms, a pictorial peeling of the skin of Rhodes’ much-maligned gimmick before his departure from WWE.
In the finishing sequence, Rhodes landed his finishing move, Cross Rhodes, twice on Rollins. He then supplied the Bionic Elbow in memory of his late father “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. One final Cross Rhodes capped the former AEW star’s WWE return.
Rhodes left WWE in 2016 after a decade in the company’s system. Burdened by a comedic, face-painted gimmick called Stardust, Rhodes first reinvented himself as a major player in the independent scene.
Rhodes worked with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) and became a member of the infamous Bullet Club. He was then a key element in the later launch of Tony Khan’s AEW.
While a number of notable WWE veterans – including Adam Cole, Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Jeff Hardy and Jon Moxley – have made the jump to AEW, this marks the first time an AEW alum has signed with WWE.
Rhodes was a two-time Intercontinental Champion and a six-time Tag Team Champion at the time of his original WWE departure. He returns with more titles on his resume including AEW’s TNT strap (three times), the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the United States IWGP Championship and the ROH World Championship as the title reigns under his belt.