Why is Cody Rhodes the American Nightmare?

Cody Rhodes is an American pro wrestler who works with WWE as of April 2025. He competes on the SmackDown brand and holds the Undisputed WWE Title, which includes both the WWE Title and the WWE Universal Title. Before returning to WWE, Rhodes spent time with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2019 to 2022, where he took on the role of executive vice president and won the AEW TNT Championship three times.

Cody Rhodes first made a name for himself in WWE between 2006 and 2016. Before stepping into professional wrestling, he won two Georgia state titles in amateur wrestling. He joined WWE in 2006 and started in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he earned the Triple Crown Champion honor. After his time in WWE, Rhodes also competed in TNA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring of Honor, AEW, and the NWA. Throughout his career, he has won four world championships and 19 titles in total across these promotions.

Also Read: Cody Rhodes Championships

Why is Cody Rhodes called the American Nightmare?

Cody Rhodes took on the name “The American Nightmare” after leaving WWE in 2016. It was a nod to his father, Dusty Rhodes, who was known as “The American Dream.” The name was a way for Cody to carry on his father’s legacy while also making it his own. In a Bleacher Report “Ask Me Anything” session, Cody talked about how he came up with the idea and what it meant to him and explained:

"I spent my WWE career trying to do everything different from Dusty, but then at a certain point you’re allowed a little grace. When I left in 2015 and went to New Japan it was Tiger Hattori and Gato that liked the idea because it was easy for the fans to follow because it was like ‘The American Dream.’ I was able to take it from there and get ownership of it and bring it everywhere I go. Now I’m surprised because I’ve never used it before. Dusty was rags to riches and I was riches to riches, bratty little kid so the American Nightmare fits me well."

Also Read: Cody Rhodes' Parents

Cody Rhodes' career as The American Nightmare

Cody Rhodes first used the name The American Nightmare when he appeared in NJPW in 2016. Upon leaving WWE, he competed on the independent circuit and made an appearance in TNA as Cody. He wrestled at events like WrestleMania, Wrestle Kingdom in NJPW, and Final Battle in ROH. In ROH, he won the ROH World Title, the IWGP US Heavyweight Title, and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Title. He also won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title, following in his father's path.

In AEW, Rhodes became the first to hold the TNT Championship. He returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 and defeated Seth Rollins. He later claimed victory in the men's Royal Rumble matches in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Steve Austin won in 1997 and 1998. At WrestleMania XL, Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns, who had held the Universal Title for 1,316 days. By doing so, he became the 34th Triple Crown Champion in WWE.