Cody Rhodes makes history; joins John Cena in coveted group

(Image credits - WWE
Image credits - WWE's official website

Cody Rhodes had a successful title defense at Wrestlepalooza 2025, where he retained his Undisputed WWE Title against Drew McIntyre. The American Nightmare now has more reasons to celebrate, as he has not only topped the 2025 PWI 500 list but has also become only the fourth wrestler to secure the top spot in consecutive years.

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There's no denying that Cody is currently on a kind of run in WWE that's only reserved for generational talents. Last year marked the first time Cody Rhodes was placed at number one in the PWI 500 rankings.

He repeated this feat by topping the list this year too, and in the process, joined legends like John Cena, Bret Hart, and Stone Cold Steve Austin as the only stars to top the list in back-to-back years.

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While Cena achieved this in 2006 and 2007, Hart did it in 1993 and 1994, and finally Austin in 1998 and 1999. Going by just how firmly he's placed atop the mountain in WWE, it's safe to say it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cody Rhodes continue this wave of momentum and possibly top the PWI list next year, too.


Vince Russo thinks WWE could pit Jey Uso against Cody Rhodes soon

On a recent edition of Sportskeeda's Legion of RAW, Vince Russo discussed how Jey Uso, who's been teasing a heel turn, might fully embrace his dark side and go after Cody Rhodes soon. Russo then bemoaned that this might be a result of WWE not having enough contenders left for Cody, forcing the company to turn Jey, one of its biggest babyfaces, heel, just to keep his world title reign going.

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"The fans were booing Jey Uso when he speared LA Knight. And, you know, again, like I said, bro, the fact that they do not have an opponent for Cody, and is that the reason why? So, because you didn't book properly and you didn't have an opponent set up for Cody, all that time and energy you put into yeeting and the entrances and the little kids and the merch and out in the hallway, all that is going to be erased because we don't have an opponent for Cody," Russo said.

Cody's next big match is slated to be against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel 2025 next month in Australia.

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Edited by Arpit Shrivastava
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