Former WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes recently reminisced about his 2012 mustache era, a distinctive period that quickly caught the attention of fans. During this time, Rhodes partnered with Damian Sandow as the Rhodes Scholars and developed a look that, though popular on screen, caused some personal challenges, especially in his everyday life and relationships.
Origins and Highlights of Cody Rhodes’ Mustache Phase
In 2012, Cody Rhodes formed the tag team Rhodes Scholars with Damian Sandow, a duo that left a memorable mark in WWE programming. Rhodes embraced a mustache that became part of his character’s identity and attracted fan interest. The following year, Rhodes Scholars became involved in a heated rivalry alongside The Bella Twins against Tons of Funk and The Funkadactyls. Their feud culminated in a mixed tag team match at WWE WrestleMania 29, though this match was ultimately shortened due to time constraints.
Personal Struggles with Maintaining the Mustache
Reflecting on this period during an interview on What Do You Wanna Talk About with Nikki Bella, Rhodes described the difficulties he experienced managing his facial hair. He admitted that the mustache, which was enhanced with Black Just For Men dye to appear more prominent on television, was much less impressive in person.
I’m so sorry you had to stand across from the period of time I had the mustache. And it was so just in person, it was different than how it looked on screen. In person, it was so little hair. And I had put Black Just for Men on it so that it stood out from a TV perspective, you know? That’s how, in the end, that’s why I had to cut it.
—Cody Rhodes
He further explained his lack of grooming skills, confessing that the mustache was more of a three-week experiment that grew unexpectedly. Using clippers without much experience, Rhodes occasionally trimmed it awkwardly, which led to some unflattering moments, such as one time at an airport.
So, I didn’t have any skills on mustache trimming. So I didn’t know any. I just had a mustache from the three weeks I was away. It wasn’t much of one, so I would just… I took, like, clippers, and I above the lip didn’t really know. One time I just got a little tight, and it got in here where it was not a good look. And I was walking through the airport, and I knew, like, got to go. I can’t even sell work this has to go.
—Cody Rhodes
Brandi Rhodes’ Patience Through This Turbulent Look
Cody Rhodes also admitted surprise at how his wife, Brandi Rhodes, tolerated this unconventional facial hair style, especially since it was during a time when face hair was not as trendy as it is today. He noted that the current widespread acceptance of beards and related grooming has made facial hair more mainstream, a stark contrast to when his mustache era occurred.
Now, today, face hair is a thing. Then it was still, like, it was in its infancy of its being reborn. Now everyone’s about their beard the beard, oil, things of that. I’m shocked when I look back, ’cause I remember Brandi we’d take pictures together and stuff.
—Cody Rhodes
He described this phase as typical for wrestlers, who often go through unique gimmicks or styles that might not fit conventional civilian life. Rhodes expressed admiration for Brandi’s support despite the looks he was sporting, acknowledging the challenges that come with being in the wrestling world.
I feel like I’m shocked she hung in. That’s a real wrestler thing like having absurd long hair or some gimmick, whatever it may be. And you’ve got to go through life, civilian life with that. No, that’s the things we do, though.
—Cody Rhodes
This period illustrates both the intense lifestyle of professional wrestling personalities and the personal endurance required from those close to them. Cody Rhodes’ mustache era remains a notable part of his career, serving as a reminder of the balance wrestlers maintain between character performance and real life.
