In the wild, larger-than-life world of wrestling, dreams are forged in sweat, grit, and spotlight. While many claw their way up from the bottom, others are born with wrestling royalty in their blood. Enter Cody Rhodes—a name that echoes legacy. For him, stepping into the ring wasn’t just about pinning opponents, it was about carrying the weight, pride, and fire of a legendary family name every time the bell rang.
Known to fans as The American Nightmare, at the heart of this family tree is his father, aka The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. He was a legendary figure in the world of wrestling who inspired millions with his words and passion. But Cody Rhodes didn’t just follow in the footsteps of his father but created his own name by being one of the top names in the game today.
But the Rhodes legacy doesn’t just stop with Dusty Rhodes and Cody Rhodes. In fact, his wife, Brandi Rhodes, and older brother, Dustin Rhodes, aka Goldust, are game changers in wrestling too. So, what’s the full story behind this wrestling family, and who are the key people in his life who helped build this legacy? Let’s break down Cody Rhodes’ family tree and explore how The American Nightmare became the face of the wrestling world.
The American Dream: Dusty Rhodes
Before there was a nightmare, there was a dream – the American Dream, to be exact. Dusty Rhodes was born as Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. in Austin, Texas, on October 11, 1945, and entered the wrestling industry in 1967 with no formal background or knowledge in the sport. In fact, he was working as a plumber before he stepped into the ring for Tony Santos’ promotion in Boston.
While he lacked the technicality of the profession, he made up for it with his remarkable storytelling and passion for the sport. Dusty Rhodes spent his early years in the independent circuit before joining the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1974. It was this move that would play a huge role in drastically turning his life around.
By the time he got to Jim Crockett Promotions in the’ mid-’80s, he had become a certified superstar. He had multiple reigns as NWA World Heavyweight Champion and played an important role behind the scenes as well. When he joined WWF in 1989, fans were treated to a more colorful, polka-dot-coded version of The Dream.
Though his WWF stint was short-lived, he made sure to leave a lasting impression before moving on to WCW and ECE. In the 2000s he returned to WWE in a backstage role and became a mentor to younger talent at NXT. He remained an integral part of this company until his passing in 2015.
Given his immense legacy and influence on the sport, the WWE honored him with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Thus, keeping his name and legacy alive for future generations to come.
Goldust: Dustin Rhodes
If Dusty Rhodes built the legacy, his older son Dustin Rhodes made sure to push its limits. Born on April 11, 1969, he started wrestling in 1988 and initially competed in Championship Wrestling from Florida and WCW. But it wasn’t until he returned to WWE in the’ mid-’90s that he truly made a mark.
Dustin Rhodes was introduced to the world as Goldust, a flamboyant character that broke boundaries and stirred some major conversation. With bleach blonde hair and golden bodysuits, he became a lightning rod during the company’s transition into a more edgy era. But behind the bodysuit and the provocative antics was a sound wrestler who could deliver in the ring.
As a result, he has won multiple Intercontinental Championships and had some of the most talked-about feuds with Razor Ramon and The Undertaker. His tag team with Booker T and later R-Truth showcased that he could still adapt and entertain across decades. Moreover, in 2019 he joined AEW (All Elite Wrestling), where he reunited with his younger brother.
They also had a face-off in a brutal yet emotional match that became one of the most memorable highlights of AEW. Though no longer in WWE, Dustin Rhodes continues to contribute to the company as a coach and occasional in-ring competitor.
The American Nightmare: Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes, aka The American Nightmare, was born as Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes on June 30, 1985, in Georgia. Since very early on in his life, he started reflecting the characteristics that would later transform him into one of the most sought-after wrestlers out there. He joined WWE’s Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2006 and debuted in Monday Night Raw in 2007.
His early years in the industry were filled with a lot of promise and potential. For instance, he teamed up with Hardcore Holly, joined Randy Orton in The Legacy, and even introduced the “Dashing” Cody Rhodes persona. But his gimmicks kept on changing, and in 2014 he became Stardust (a cosmic character that veered away from his family’s legacy). But this new name didn’t sit well with him, and in 2016 he left WWE.
What followed after this was one of the boldest moves in modern wrestling history. He toured the indie circuit, competed in Ring of Honor and New Japan, and also helped in organizing All In (the event that proved non-WWE wrestling could still sell out arenas). It was this success that led to the creation of All Elite Wrestling in 2019, with Cody Rhodes being one of the executive vice presidents.
This company then quickly became one of WWE’s most significant competitors in decades. However, in 2022 he returned to WWE – a move that shocked everyone. Since then he has gone up against top-tier wrestlers such as Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins.
Given his position today in the wrestling world, he has perfectly established that he’s no longer just Dusty Rhodes son. He’s, in fact, the American Nightmare who’s more than capable of writing his own legacy.
The women behind the Rhodes family
The Rhodes family legacy isn’t just about the men in the ring. But Cody Rhodes’ wife Brandi Rhodes has also carved a unique place for herself in the industry. As a former figure skater and journalist, she started her WWE journey as a ring announcer and later became the chief brand officer of AEW. Though she did not return to WWE alongside her husband, her influence on AEW’s growth and branding is undeniable.
On the other hand, Dustin Rhodes’ wife, Ta-Rel Maria, tends to stay away from the spotlight, but she has been a steady part of his life through his ups and downs. And let’s not forget Cody and Dustin’s mother and stepmother, Sandra McHargue and Michelle Rubio, who have been pivotal figures behind the scenes.
From The American Dream to The American Nightmare, the Rhodes family has contributed immensely to the wrestling world. And with Cody Rhodes still climbing new heights, it looks like the story is far from over.
Final thoughts
Even though Cody Rhodes belonged to one of the most famous families in the wrestling world, it was his sheer hard work that made him who he is today. He has won multiple championships and can easily be one of the richest wrestlers out there. And today he stands as a modern symbol of legacy, passion, and resilience.
He honors the Rhodes name in everything he does, not to forget the Dream tattoo he has as an honor to his dad. So, all in all, the Rhodes family tree is quite strong, and thanks to Cody Rhodes, its legacy will live on for many years to come.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
