Why is Cody Rhodes the American Nightmare?

Cody Rhodes is a well-known American pro grappler at present endorsed by WWE. Rhodes contends on the SmackDown brand holding the Undisputed WWE Title, combining both the WWE Title and WWE Universal Title. Rhodes is likewise known for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2019 to 2022, where he filled in as an executive vice president and turned into the debut AEW dynamite Champion, a title he won multiple times.

Cody acquired prominence during his first WWE tenure from 2006 to 2016. Rhodes additionally wrestled for TNA, NJPW, and ROH. Rhodes started his wrestling career with two Georgia state titles in amateur wrestling before joining WWE in 2006. He began in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he accomplished Triple Crown Champion status. Across WWE, NJPW, ROH, AEW, and NWA, Rhodes has held four world titles and a total of 19 titles.

Also Read: Cody Rhodes Championships

Why is Cody Rhodes called the American Nightmare?

Cody Rhodes is called The American Nightmare after his father Dusty Rhodes' nickname The American Dream. After leaving WWE in 2016, Cody Rhodes adopted “The American Nightmare” moniker as a play on his father’s nickname “American Dream”. Being the son of “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, Cody Rhodes adopted the nickname “The American Dream”.

At ‘Ask Me Anything’ of Bleacher Report, Cody opened up on why he claims himself as “The American Nightmare”. He reported that when he was wrestling for the New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Tiger Hattori and Gato proposed to him an idea to adopt “The American Nightmare” moniker as it would be easier for the fans to follow because it looks similar to his father’s. He then got the ownership for it, as it would be easy to take wherever he goes. He also added that being the younger kid of Rhodes has made the title a perfect fit for him.

Also Read: Cody Rhodes' Parents

Cody Rhodes' career as The American Nightmare

Cody Rhodes was first billed The American Nightmare upon his NJPW debut in 2016. After leaving WWE, Rhodes wrestled independently and showed up in TNA as Cody. He contended on significant occasions like WrestleMania, Wrestle Kingdom in NJPW, and Final Battle in ROH. He turned into a one-time ROH Title holder in ROH and later won the IWGP US Heavyweight Title and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Title. He brought home the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title, reflecting his father's accomplishment.

In AEW, Rhodes turned into the first AEW TNT Champion. Getting back to WWE at WrestleMania 38, he defeated Seth Rollins and won both the 2023 and 2024 men's Royal Rumble matches, turning into the only consecutive winner since Stone Cold Steve Austin. At WrestleMania XL, Rhodes brought home the WWE Universal Title after beating former champion and 1316 days titleholder Roman Reigns and became a WWE Triple Crown Champion.

In 2022, Cody Rhodes re-signed with WWE following his exit from AEW. At WrestleMania 38, he made an unexpected return as the Opponent of Seth 'Freakin' Rollins in a winning effort. On the following episode of RAW, Rhodes talked about his dream to grab the WWE Title, a title his father and legendary Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, never held.

At WrestleMania 40, night two, despite interference from the Bloodline members The Rock, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa, who was countered by Jey Uso, John Cena, Rollins, and The Undertaker, Rhodes went on to beat Roman Reigns to come out on top for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. This triumph denoted his first-ever world title in WWE, and he was subsequently moved to the SmackDown as the title belongs to the blue brand.