Year Ender 2024: From Rumble Win to Dethroning Reigns and Creative Failure – A Look Back Cody Rhodes Run This Year

2024 was a year of both triumph and transition for Cody Rhodes in WWE. After a captivating return in 2023 and a string of memorable feuds, he finally reached the pinnacle of his career, capturing the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.

However, his reign as the Champ after dethroning Roman Reigns from one of the longest title reigns, and subsequent storylines have presented a mixed bag, leaving fans with a sense of both excitement and uncertainty.

Rhodes' journey in 2024 began with a renewed sense of purpose. The American Nightmare started the year with a victory over Shinsuke Nakamura on Monday Night Raw before feuding with CM Punk, who crossed the line by provoking Rhodes.

Cody's Road to WrestleMania 40

After the short rivalry with Punk, Rhodes then went on to kick start his road to WrestleMania by winning the men's royal rumble for the second year in a row, and planted the seeds for a rivalry with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns on SmackDown, where there was a twist waiting to happen as a legend returned.

During the feud, Rhodes met up with a WWE legend, leading to double duties at WrestleMania. Rhodes teamed up with Seth Rollins to face Reigns and The Rock. Later, his rivalry with Roman Reigns, culminating in their epic clash at WrestleMania, captivated audiences.

Rhodes' unwavering determination and emotional connection with fans made him a fan favorite, and his victory over Reigns felt like a long-awaited culmination of his WWE story. However, the post-WrestleMania landscape proved more challenging.

Battles with Styles, Bloodline and Unexpected assists from Reigns an CM Punk

Post his WrestleMania title win, Rhodes was set up in a storyline with AJ Styles as the pair battle across shows and premium live events with the champion retaining the title on every occasion. However, the new Bloodline continued to trouble Rhodes, who received unexpected help from Punk and then Reigns.

Kevin Owen Rivalry and Teaming up with Randy Orton

KO took aim at the champion and his title to close the year, but was unsuccessful in his attempts to win the belt as Rhodes continued to get support from some of his allies including Randy Orton, who later teamed up with Rhodes to take down the Imperium.

While Rhodes' reign as champion has seen him defend the title against a variety of opponents, his storylines have lacked the same level of intensity and focus as his feud with Reigns. Creative decisions have left some fans questioning the direction of his character, with his momentum seemingly stalling at times.

Despite these setbacks, Rhodes remains a valuable asset to WWE. His in-ring skills are undeniable, and his charisma continues to resonate with fans. His ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level is a rare talent, and his star power remains undeniable.

Looking ahead, 2024 has been a year of both highs and lows for Cody Rhodes. While his WrestleMania victory was a defining moment, his subsequent storylines have left room for improvement.

The future of his WWE career remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Cody Rhodes is a force to be reckoned with, and his journey in 2024 has provided both memorable moments and valuable lessons for the future.