Cody Rhodes hinted at a possible return of his Stardust persona, nearly a decade after its WWE debut, suggesting this comeback could be tied to a milestone achieved on his podcast. The WWE Undisputed Champion has not specified the exact target, but he considers bringing back Stardust as a special reward connected to his podcast’s growth and popularity.
The Stardust character first appeared on WWE Raw on June 16, 2014. Inspired by Rhodes’ half-brother Dustin Rhodes’ Goldust gimmick and their father Dusty Rhodes’ legendary wrestling career, Stardust adopted a cosmic theme with detailed face paint, a colorful bodysuit, and distinct eccentric behavior. Stardust and Goldust teamed up successfully, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship together, yet Stardust’s solo career struggled to gain momentum.
Challenges and Creative Frustrations Behind Stardust’s Decline
Many fans and critics found Stardust’s character strange and overly cartoonish, which hampered its acceptance among the WWE audience. Despite Rhodes’ dedicated performances, the character failed to secure significant storylines during nearly two years of development. Internal frustrations grew as Rhodes sought to move away from the Stardust gimmick, reportedly requesting its end for over six months, only to be repeatedly denied by WWE creative management.
Rhodes’ dissatisfaction with the lack of creative freedom ultimately led to his request for release from WWE in May 2016, signaling the conclusion of the Stardust era. Although the character is widely regarded as a career low point, Rhodes acknowledges that it played a role in shaping his professional journey.
Insights from Cody Rhodes About a Bonus Podcast Episode Featuring Stardust
On his podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk, Rhodes discussed the idea of marking a special milestone with a bonus episode that would feature an interview presenting Starrdust as a separate persona:
“I had this idea for. And I’m gonna put this out into existence. I had this idea that if I set a milestone with the podcast, and I don’t know what that milestone is, that I would do a bonus episode interviewing Stardust. I would do a bonus episode. I don’t know what the milestone is, but I’ve started thinking. I don’t know, maybe we could lure… I don’t know.” —Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
The End of Cody Rhodes and John Cena’s Wrestling Feud
Peter Rosenberg, speaking on the Rosenberg Wrestling podcast, expressed his belief that the intense rivalry between Cody Rhodes and John Cena has reached its natural conclusion. According to Rosenberg, the storyline arc encompassing multiple high-stakes confrontations and title changes concluded fittingly with Cena’s return to a heroic babyface role, leaving the feud with little room to continue.
“I just think him and Cody’s done. That was the to me I think we saw the end of him and Cody. That was it. The story’s been told,” he said. —Peter Rosenberg, Wrestling Commentator
This assessment suggests that fans should not expect a rekindling of their rivalry anytime soon, as WWE appears to have closed this chapter in its storytelling.
Additional WWE Developments Highlight Upcoming Events and Star Movements
Besides Rhodes’ potential Stardust comeback, WWE action remains intense with notable developments ahead. One of the rare stipulation matches will take place at the upcoming Clash in Paris event, where two wrestlers aim to settle their ongoing conflict definitively.
Meanwhile, several wrestlers are navigating significant career moments. Naomi recently shared her medical struggles related to pregnancy after announcing it on WWE Raw. LA Knight has made an official move signaling his ambitions as he pursues championship gold within WWE’s ranks.
WWE has also confirmed that Roman Reigns will participate in a singles match at Clash in Paris, adding further excitement to the event lineup. Questions linger regarding The Rock’s absence since the Elimination Chamber, with speculation about possible backstage tensions involving Triple H and WWE’s creative team.
Amid these events, discussions continue around Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE’s Board of Directors in January 2024. Despite rumors, no verified plans suggest his return, reinforcing an organizational shift focused on fresh leadership and new directions.
The Lasting Impact of the Stardust Persona on Cody Rhodes’ Career
Although predominantly viewed as a troubled period in Rhodes’ tenure, the Stardust character remains a significant chapter in his professional story. It symbolized a period of creative frustration but also underscored his resilience and adaptability as a performer. Rhodes’ openness to revisiting Stardust only if driven by a meaningful podcast milestone reflects a nuanced relationship with the persona—both critical and appreciative of its place in his journey.
Fans eager for the Stardust return will likely watch Rhodes’ podcast progress closely, awaiting the announcement of this milestone and potential special episode. This interplay of podcast success and wrestling storytelling presents a unique fusion of new media and classic wrestling entertainment.
