Cody Rhodes recently shared his belief that if his father, Dusty Rhodes, were alive today, he would strongly back Solo Sikoa as a rising star in WWE. The remarks came during the latest episode of Cody’s podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, which featured Rey Mysterio as a guest. Cody explained how Dusty, a legendary wrestling booker, had a keen eye for talent and quickly connected with wrestlers who showed unique potential.
He recounted how Dusty praised Mysterio frequently on WCW commentary and suggested that the same admiration would have extended to Sikoa. Cody emphasized his father’s instinct to recognize someone as “his guy” after observing just a few promising performances.
Insights into Dusty Rhodes’ Booking Philosophy and Its Impact
Cody described his father’s approach to talent selection using an old-school wrestling mindset, where a booker would latch onto a wrestler who demonstrated something special early on. He said,
“I think classic wrestling booker, producer 101 sometimes is going, ‘That’s my guy. That’s my girl. There’s something about them.’ You saw something they did one night or two nights and whatever maybe and that’s my guy,”
Cody further explained,
“That’s what it was. It was, ‘That’s my guy.’ A couple matches in with Dean [Malenko], whatever, that’s my guy.”
He then revealed the surprise element of his endorsement for Solo Sikoa, noting that despite not having a close relationship with him, he recognized the qualities his father would have loved. Cody said he even confided this opinion to a fellow wrestling legend backstage, highlighting how impressed he was with Sikoa’s presence and potential.
“And I couldn’t figure it out. I’m like, he would just eat him up. Just something about exactly what you just said. Go out there and take what I have, but also we’re going to have a good time. We’re going to have a good time. Like, there’s pressure. You know when you get to those points when there’s pressure and it’s almost like that’s all there is. Well, this is just all pressure. And then there’s also, we’re going to have a good time.”
Solo Sikoa’s Career and Wrestling Background
Solo Sikoa is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi and younger brother to The Usos, making him part of a storied wrestling family. He is a former United States Champion and currently holds the WWE Tag Team titles alongside Tama Tonga. Although Sikoa has not captured a World Championship yet, he engaged in a notable WWE title program against Cody Rhodes in 2024, further underlining his emerging status within the company.
Dusty Rhodes’ Lasting Influence on WWE’s Modern Stars
Before his passing in 2015, Dusty Rhodes played a vital role behind the scenes in WWE’s NXT brand, helping to shape many of today’s prominent wrestling figures. One well-known example is Becky Lynch, whom Dusty supported through moments of doubt and helped push to higher success. His eye for talent and mentorship left a lasting legacy that continues to influence WWE’s roster.
The Broader Significance of Dusty Rhodes’ Endorsements
Cody Rhodes’ reflection on Solo Sikoa serves as a compelling indication of the younger wrestler’s potential and the kind of mentorship that builds wrestling legends. Dusty’s approval has long been seen as a milestone for wrestlers who embody both skill and charisma. With Cody sharing this insight from his personal perspective, fans may watch Solo Sikoa’s career with increased anticipation to see if he fulfills that promise.
