Cody Rhodes recently expressed deep gratitude toward fellow WWE wrestler Rey Mysterio, acknowledging a pivotal moment that changed the course of his career. Reflecting on a critical period in 2011, Rhodes credited Mysterio for offering him a rare opportunity during WWE WrestleMania 27, which became a significant breakthrough in his professional journey.
The Breakup of Legacy and Rhodes’ New Path
Before this turning point, Rhodes was part of the Legacy faction alongside Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase. In 2010, after about a year together, the group disbanded following Orton’s reign as WWE Champion and Rhodes and DiBiase’s World Tag Team Championship win. Following that, Rhodes launched his ‘Dashing’ persona but struggled to find his footing as an individual performer.
WrestleMania 27 Match with Mysterio
In early 2011, Rhodes entered a feud with Rey Mysterio, culminating in Rhodes’ first one-on-one match at WrestleMania 27. Despite not initially being slated to compete at that level, Rhodes revealed on his podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, that Mysterio deliberately selected him to be his opponent at the big event. This unexpected choice allowed Rhodes to push his career forward in ways he had not experienced before.
Cody Rhodes’ Reflections on That Defining Moment
Rhodes openly shared his feelings about that period, highlighting his career uncertainty after the split with Legacy. He said,
“You changed my life. I don’t get anywhere dude. I had nothing coming my way. I’d lost Teddy and Randy. I wasn’t the one who was supposed to go. It wasn’t a knock on me, I just wasn’t the one who was supposed to go.”
He continued,
“I got to experience things at a different level and play ball at a higher level, and I would have never gotten out of the blocks. I would have never had anything.”
Rhodes emphasized the impact of Mysterio’s decision, calling it a “core moment” in his career that shaped his future success.
“Nothing happens without me walking into that building and you being like, ‘You wanna go in?’ And the rest was history for me.”
And of course there’s a myriad of highs and lows, but I would have never had a high. So I have to thank you.
– Cody Rhodes
Why This Moment Matters for Rhodes’ Career
This episode highlights a crucial turning point in Rhodes’ WWE trajectory, where an unexpected opportunity transformed his prospects. Mysterio’s influence enabled Rhodes to elevate his in-ring profile and gain momentum that might otherwise have eluded him. For fans and observers, it serves as a reminder of how key decisions and alliances within WWE can alter a wrestler’s career path.
