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‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes has taken WWE by storm since returning at this year’s WrestleMania 37 to battle, and defeat, Seth Rollins. Unfortunately sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle, Rhodes has dazzled viewers for years with his spectacular promos, exhilarating matches, and engrossing rivalries.
Whether it was in Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, or All Elite Wrestling, Rhodes has captivated viewers regardless of the promotion. Receiving three 5* ratings from Dave Meltzer, which matches of Rhodes’ rank as over glorified, or underappreciated, by Meltzer’s ‘Wrestling Observer Newsletter’ and his star-rating system?
10 Overrated: Vs. Kota Ibushi, NJPW Wrestling Dontaku, 4*
Despite a riveting WrestleKingdom 12 clash between these two stars in NJPW, this rematch did not live up to the same standard. Suffering from Cody working on top as the heel in a dull, slow-paced fashion, there were a few exciting moments including a brutal table spot. However, it was not enough to salvage this beyond simply a solid second meeting for the two stars. The finishing stretch was strong and well-executed, but nothing to be considered great here as 4* would indicate.
9 Underrated: W/ Goldust Vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins, WWE Battleground 2013, 3.5*
A truly outstanding tag team match here in this heated battle between Cody & Goldust, opposite Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins representing ‘The Shield’. Criminally underrated at only 3.5* by Dave Meltzer, this was a wonderful display of storytelling, crowd investment, and enthralling in-ring action. A star-making performance for Cody in WWE, or what should have been, with an epic tribute to Dusty Rhodes and a brilliant win for the babyface team.
8 Overrated: Vs. Kenny Omega, ROH Supercard Of Honor XII, 4.25*
A good meeting at ROH’s Supercard of Honor XII between Cody and Kenny Omega during their heated rivalry in early 2018, but certainly not a 4.25* match up. At 37 minutes long, this relied on crowd reaction as it was very slow at times.
There were good segments, but an overall lackluster pace given the intense build affected this match significantly. As well, the constant interference muddled the contest one too many times leading to a disappointing match overall. While overall, a good match regardless, not a 4.25* bout.
7 Underrated: Vs. Jay Lethal, Texas Bullrope Match, ROH Supercard Of Honor XI, 3.75*
An excellent Texas Bullrope match between Cody and Jay Lethal back in 2017 for Ring of Honor, as the two went to war in a stellar old-school bout. An incredible use of the stipulation with stiff strikes, blood, and a clever blend of wrestling intertwined. The pacing was splendid as the intensity grew, with tremendous storytelling throughout. In the end, Lethal would defeat Cody in a war of attrition here that undoubtedly deserved much higher than 3.75* from Dave Meltzer.
6 Overrated: Vs. Malakai Black, AEW Dynamite #107 – Saturday Night Dynamite, 4.25*
This was a good Dynamite main event between Malakai Black and Cody during their AEW rivalry late last year, but not a stellar one as 4.25* suggests. Despite strong in-ring work, this bout was marred by a crowd reaction that did not align with the story at hand as they relentlessly booed Cody.
The match itself was overbooked with interference, as Cody emerged victorious in the end. A good, fun main event despite its flaws, but not a 4.25* match by any means.
5 Underrated: Vs. Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi, Triple Threat, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling 2018, 4.25*
A tremendous triple threat match for Kenny Omega’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship back in late 2018, as both Cody and Kota Ibushi challenged in one of the first-ever NJPW triple threat bouts. The storytelling was fantastic as tag team partners Omega and Ibushi slowly boiled over as the match went along, with Cody playing his role perfectly. Sensational sequences involving all three men with highly creative spots, as the crowd grew invested. A scintillating closing stretch paired with a hot crowd led to Omega pinning Ibushi to retain in an amazing triple threat match up. Certainly, a higher rating warranted here than 4.25*.
4 Overrated: Vs. Kazuchika Okada, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW G1 Special In USA – Tag 1, 4.5*
A very good IWGP Heavyweight Championship clash as Cody challenged ‘The Rainmaker’ Kazuchika Okada at NJPW’s USA G1 Special in mid-2017. However, absolutely not a 4.5* match as Dave Meltzer would suggest.
Compared to other Okada main events that year, or otherwise, this was good but not great as the action never quite hit that spectacular level. The finishing stretch was the highlight but never off the charts, in a strong showing but nothing more here.
3 Underrated: Vs. Darby Allin, AEW TNT Championship, AEW Full Gear 2020, 4.25*
This was a magnificent AEW TNT Championship match as Darby Allin challenged Cody at AEW’s Full Gear PPV in late 2020. Phenomenal storytelling with Cody the arrogant veteran opposite the red-hot underdog Allin, with fantastic in-ring work to boot. Highly engaging throughout with a clever finish as Allin emerged victorious thanks to a roll-up, becoming TNT Champion in an exhilarating bout. Although 4.25* is a favorable rating, it is arguable this deserved even higher in a brilliantly executed TNT championship match up.
2 Overrated: Vs. Sammy Guevara, AEW TNT Championship Unification Ladder Match, AEW Dynamite #121 – Beach Break, 5*
A great ladder match this January between Sammy Guevara and Cody during his time in AEW, as the two stars battled to determine the Undisputed TNT Champion. However, certainly nowhere near a 5* bout. Sure, the spots were incredible, the crowd hot, and the action riveting at times. But the pacing was off throughout and there was a complete lack of selling and psychology. As well, it never quite hit that classic level viewers expect from a Dave Meltzer 5* match. A great bout but nothing more.
1 Vs. Seth Rollins, WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022, 4.5*
An absolutely amazing second match between Cody and Seth Rollins during their epic WWE rivalry earlier this year, somehow topping their already-excellent WrestleMania 37 meeting. A masterful display of psychology, storytelling, drama, and most of all, spectacular in-ring work. The crowd grew hotter by the minute as the two stars displayed their immense chemistry once again, with an awesome pace kept throughout. This built to a beautiful closing stretch as Rhodes defeated Rollins once more with a sneaky roll-up to continue their rivalry. A modern-day WWE classic and a match that surely deserved at least 4.75*.