Having worked for over a decade in several wrestling promotions across the globe, including the NWA, NJPW, ROH, and WWE, and having played a significant role in forming AEW, Cody Rhodes is considered one of the most complete superstars in the business. Rhodes, a skilled grappler and technical as well as an exceptional storyteller in the ring is also called a master of technical wrestling. He was up around wrestling as part of the illustrious lineage of one of the greatest wrestling families ever.
The American Nightmare is a captivating, adaptable, and supremely talented speaker who steals the show with his amazing performances. He uses a fluid, powerful move set that combines grace and agility in every move during his matches. With so many amazing moves under his belt, Rhodes never shies away from using them further to establish himself as a giant in the business.
The Cross Rhodes is by far his greatest move; it’s a straightforward finale that satisfies all the requirements. When used with the passion that Rhodes exhibits, it can be completed swiftly, create tension due to the chance of a counter, and look devastating. Although it lacks the elegance of his airborne strikes, it is still the most destructive skill in his toolbox.
The move is more effective if the opponent also contributes to it and sells it devastatingly. The art of selling the Cross Rhodes is effective if the opponent seizes the move at the right time after its execution. Fans instantly recognized how beautiful it can be if sold perfectly during a recent SmackDown episode when the American Nightmare delivered it to a security guard.
Cody Rhodes delivered a nearly perfect Cross Rhodes on a security guard at SmackDown
During the build-up for their Money in the Bank match, Cody Rhodes along with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens cleaned the house by attacking several security guards. The highlight of the moment came when Rhodes delivered a picture-perfect Cross Rhodes on a security guard. Speaking about the security man, Rhodes revealed that the guard is training at the Monster training facility which has produced a lot of talent in the past during an interview with Chris Van Vliet.
He further stated how the movement of your opponent’s hand during the move decides how brutal it will look like. “I can tell depending on where someone puts their hand, what they’re trying to do and brother was going for a header. You’re gonna kill yourself here bro, you know, you don’t have to do it that way.”
The Cross Rhodes was certainly a main highlight of the segment and gained a lot of attraction. Later on, it came to light that the security guy who took the Cross Rhodes was an independent professional wrestler David Goldy. Goldy attended the NJPW LA Dojo and the Monster Factory to train to be a professional wrestler. He has previously made appearances on AEW programs, and in 2023 he even participated in a WWE tryout.
Cody Rhodes reveals his all-time favorite Cross Rhodes ever
At WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes delivered his Cross Rhodes finisher three times to Roman Reigns, winning him the title of Undisputed WWE Champion. But The American Nightmare just unveiled what he claims to be the best Cross Rhodes ever. During his interview with Chris Van Vliet, Rhodes revealed that his best-ever Cross Rhodes sell came back in 2013.
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During his match against the Shield teaming up with Dustin Rhodes, The American Nightmare delivered a flawless Cross Rhodes to Seth Rollins. “I still think the best Cross Rhodes of all time is The Shield vs. The Rhodes Brothers with Seth Rollins because something about it floated and it literally felt like it was the energy of the crowd that night in Buffalo. And then we hit it, we moved,” he said.
That evening, The Rhodes Brothers prevailed in a fierce battle against The Shield. After the touching victory, the late WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes went into the ring and gave both of his boys a sincere hug.
