The “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes appeared on the latest episode of Monday Night Raw as the show opener for the first time in 6 years. After returning at WrestleMania 38, Rhodes delivered an emotional promo talking about his father and his plans for the future.
Where there’s @CodyRhodes, there is pyro!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/RtVG5tBiUs
— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2022
Cody Rhodes on his plans for the future
Cody Rhodes had a great return match at WrestleMania. Rhodes said the decision to join WWE was an easy one, and he’s signed a multi-year contract. After beating one of the best superstars at WrestleMania, Cody felt vindicated. He joked that he was the “star that left them in the dust”.
#WrestleMania just became #CodyMania!@CodyRhodes pic.twitter.com/ZJgjmd3CQc
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
When Rhodes mentioned his father, he choked up and he described him as his hero and a photo of Dusty Rhodes was displayed in Madison Square Garden. WWE made him look like a big deal. Rhodes addressed the fans and vowed to win the WWE world championship, something his legendary father “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes had never been able to accomplish. Rhodes’ opponent at WrestleMania, Seth Rollins, entered at the end of the promo to shake hands with him.
????@WWERollins @CodyRhodes #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/QtPCgX71lu
— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2022
The way Cody Rhodes was positioned on Raw this week made it clear he would be treated as an A+ player in the WWE roster. WWE has been criticized for having a lack of top babyfaces at the moment. Adding someone like Cody Rhodes and making him feel special was a welcome change. It was like a new main-eventer had arrived to save the day, and the fans in attendance ate it up.
Rhodes fought KO after Raw went off air
Cody Rhodes won a six-minute match against Kevin Owens after Raw went off air. Both wrestlers embraced each other before the match as a sign of respect for Rhodes’ WWE return. At one point during the bout, KO teased Rhodes with the Young Bucks pose, according to those in attendance. Ata Johnson, The Rock’s mother, was also at ringside, holding Owens while The American Nightmare executed chops to the chest followed by a Bionic Elbow.
More highlights from @CodyRhodes v @FightOwensFight
Cody goes and hugs a fan! ❤️#RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/2GmLjWodYv
— Wrestling Travel (@WrestlingTravel) April 5, 2022
Rhodes own the match after hitting a Cross Rhodes. He then took the microphone and bid the fans farewell at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.