Cody Rhodes WWE King of the Ring triumph at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia has placed him among an elite group of superstars who have captured the King of the Ring, Royal Rumble, and WWE Championship. His victory over Randy Orton in the 2025 finals not only further enriches Rhodes’ legacy, but also cements his status alongside some of wrestling’s most accomplished names.
Cody Rhodes Celebrates a Career-Defining Achievement
Rhodes wasted no time embracing his new title, updating his X profile from “Quarterback” to “KING” shortly after the main event. This latest accolade arrives after a period of remarkable achievements for Rhodes since his return to WWE in 2022, building on hard-fought success and unwavering fan support.
The prestigious King of the Ring crown is more than another addition to his growing résumé. Cody Rhodes now stands in rare company as one of the few WWE superstars to have won the Royal Rumble, WWE Championship, and King of the Ring—a milestone that only a handful of legends have reached.
Superstars Who Have Won the King of the Ring, Royal Rumble, and WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes joins a group highlighted by names who defined different eras of WWE. Here is a look at each of these elite superstars, their paths to glory, and how their careers reflect wrestling’s evolving history.
Bret “The Hitman” Hart’s Championship Journey
Bret Hart solidified his status in the 1990s, beginning with a WWE Tag Team title victory alongside Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart at SummerSlam. In August 1991, he became Intercontinental Champion, quickly following it up a month later by capturing his first King of the Ring victory over Irwin R. Schyster. The next year, Hart achieved main-event distinction by defeating Ric Flair for his first WWE Championship in his home country of Canada.
In 1993, Hart won the first King of the Ring pay-per-view, his second time with the crown. He then created history in 1994 by sharing a Royal Rumble victory with Lex Luger, and soon after, regaining the WWE Championship at WrestleMania X. Bret Hart set the bar high for the triple-credential standard now joined by Rhodes.
Steve Austin’s Legendary Rise
Steve Austin, known as “Stone Cold,” mastered the King of the Ring platform in 1996 after defeating Jake Roberts, delivering a rousing promo that led to the famed “Austin 3:16” phenomenon. This win was pivotal, launching Austin on a celebrated run in WWE history.
He then pulled off back-to-back Royal Rumble victories in 1997 and 1998 before toppling Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XIV to become WWE Champion for the first time. Austin was a driving force during the Attitude Era, contributing to the company’s Monday Night War triumph over WCW. He established himself as a cornerstone with six WWE Championship reigns and a record third Royal Rumble victory.
Triple H’s Road to Wrestling Royalty
Triple H faced early adversity; originally penciled in to win the 1996 King of the Ring, he was removed from contention due to the aftermath of the Madison Square Garden “Curtain Call.” While this setback redirected the spotlight to Austin, Triple H rebounded the next year, capturing King of the Ring in 1997 and soon embarking on a period of singles dominance after leaving D-Generation X in 1999 for a breakout year that saw him win his first of nine WWE Championships.
After returning from a grueling quadriceps injury, Triple H won the 2002 Royal Rumble and several years later claimed his final WWE Title with another Rumble victory in 2016. His storied career showcases resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing WWE landscape.
The Reign of Edge, The Rated-R Superstar
Edge’s journey began with a brief Intercontinental Title reign, but his momentum surged in 2001 after defeating Kurt Angle to become King of the Ring. In 2005, Edge became the inaugural Money in the Bank winner, later dethroning John Cena for his first WWE Championship in early 2006.
Edge claimed the Royal Rumble for the first time in 2010 and, though forced into retirement in 2011 due to a neck injury, entered the WWE Hall of Fame the following year. In a dramatic comeback at the 2020 Royal Rumble, Edge then won the 2021 Royal Rumble from the No. 1 spot, becoming only the third superstar to do so. His career is marked by perseverance and headline-making returns.
Brock Lesnar’s Historic Hat Trick
Brock Lesnar, billed as “The Next Big Thing,” completed the prestigious triple crown within his first year in WWE. After capturing the King of the Ring by defeating Rob Van Dam in June 2002, Lesnar dominated that summer, defeating Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and finally The Rock at SummerSlam to claim his first WWE Championship.
Although he lost the title at Survivor Series due to Paul Heyman’s betrayal, Lesnar rebounded to win the 2003 Royal Rumble and later captured the WWE Title at WrestleMania XIX. Lesnar’s legacy grew even further when he claimed a Royal Rumble victory from the No. 30 spot in 2022, and stands alone on this list as a superstar who also conquered MMA, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Randy Couture at UFC 91 in 2008.
Sheamus: A Unique Path to Glory
Sheamus began his triple crown journey by capturing the WWE Championship first, surprising fans by besting John Cena in a Tables Match at TLC 2009, making history as the first Irish-born WWE Champion. In 2010, he added the King of the Ring title by defeating John Morrison on Raw, then proceeded to win the 2012 Royal Rumble.
At WrestleMania XXVIII, he famously dispatched Daniel Bryan in an 18-second victory for the World Heavyweight Championship. This moment, unexpected in its brevity, sparked significant fan support for Bryan, reflecting Sheamus’s impact as both a champion and catalyst for future stars.
Cody Rhodes’ Ascendancy in Modern WWE
Since his return in 2022, Cody Rhodes has built a compelling story as a fan-favorite “babyface.” Facing Seth Rollins in a memorable Hell in a Cell match despite a torn pectoral, Rhodes demonstrated resilience that resonated with audiences. His ascent included a Royal Rumble win in 2023 after eliminating Gunther, though he initially fell short at WrestleMania 39 in his quest to honor Dusty Rhodes by winning the WWE Title.
Undaunted, Rhodes claimed his second consecutive Royal Rumble to open 2024 and, overcoming challenges that briefly involved The Rock, remained focused thanks to robust fan support. Rhodes’s highlight arrived when he defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41, claiming the Undisputed WWE Championship. These victories led directly to his latest milestone—becoming King of the Ring—in a dramatic finish over Randy Orton at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.
What Cody Rhodes’ Victory Means for WWE
By achieving one of the rarest distinctions in WWE—King of the Ring, Royal Rumble, and WWE Championship—Cody Rhodes firmly establishes his position among legends such as Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Triple H, Edge, Brock Lesnar, and Sheamus. His historic accomplishment not only honors his personal legacy and his family’s wrestling heritage, but also excites fans worldwide, setting the stage for new rivalries and unforgettable moments in the months ahead. As debates begin regarding where Rhodes ranks among these icons, his career continues to capture emotional investment, passion, and admiration from the WWE universe.
