Cody Rhodes was always destined to be Stardust, and now we have the proof.
On social media, legendary ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta shared a clipping from a 1997 copy of The Wrestler magazine featuring a young Rhodes, in his amateur wrestling singlet, referring to him by his future moniker.
“Look for this youngster on the pro wrestling circuit in about a decade or so,” the caption begins. “It’s Dusty Rhodes’ 12-year-old son, Cody. He already has a name picked out: The Stardust Kid.”
In 2014, Rhodes took on the name Stardust, a nickname his father, Dusty Rhodes, used earlier in his career. Teaming with his brother Dustin, then Goldust, he also picked up his older brother’s flamboyant mannerisms, outrageous face paint, and shiny bodysuit.
It sucked, and Rhodes’ dream would ultimately become a nightmare, one that prompted him to ask for his release from WWE in 2016.
“I’m running around in this space outfit and trying to make the best of it, but I was very dead inside,” Rhodes told WWE’s After the Bell podcast in 2023. As a performer, he hit his ceiling. As a man, he was embarrassed, feeling he had lowered himself in front of his wife, Brandi.
After leaving WWE, Rhodes proved that a man can change his stars. He quickly headed out on the indie circuit, developing a cult following. A pessimistic remark by a wrestling observer motivated Rhodes to rally his friends and promote All In, an independent supercard that led to the creation of AEW.
Long story short, Rhodes, feeling disrespected, left the company he helped build in 2022 and returned to WWE, where he finally reached the level he felt he was ultimately destined for, winning the Undisputed WWE Championship in 2024 at WrestleMania XL.
Say what you will about “The American Nightmare” — and Lord knows I do — but you can’t deny the hustle it took to go from a jabroni to a Mania main eventer and one of the top stars in the biggest pro wrestling/sports entertainment company in the world.
