Cody Rhodes Reflects on Favorite Indie Wrestling Moments

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When Cody Rhodes secured his release from WWE in 2016, it began an exciting new chapter in his illustrious wrestling career. At that time, Rhodes had penned a now-infamous list of goals and dream opponents, a list that would become a roadmap for the next stage of his career.

This list was far-reaching, with names such as Adam Cole, Dalton Castle, Katsuyori Shibata, and The Young Bucks all playing a pivotal role in shaping Rhodes's destiny and influencing the direction of professional wrestling itself.

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated premiere of "American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes," the WWE Raw superstar took some time to reminisce about that transformative phase of his life. This period saw Rhodes explore the independent wrestling scene, an exciting time that would become a character-defining moment in his career.

During a recent Twitter Q&A session designed to promote the documentary, Rhodes was asked about his favorite moments from his independent wrestling run. While he found pinpointing just one standout experience challenging, he fondly recalled moments with wrestling legends such as Kurt Angle and Sonjay Dutt.

"That was such a rewarding period," Rhodes reflected in his tweet. "It felt like everything was a favorite moment (V Kurt for WCPW to Sonjay throwing pre-workout in my face somewhere in the Carolinas). My team's habit of doing post-show pics in the ring was also such a sweet time every night." These memories testify to Rhodes's dedication, tenacity, and ability to reinvent himself.

He accomplished everything on his list and went above and beyond by facing other significant industry figures like Zack Sabre Jr., Matt Cross, Keith Lee, Pete Dunne, and Kazuchika Okada.

Strong's Elusive Match with Rhodes

However, one name that remained elusive was Roderick Strong, "The Messiah of the Backbreaker." Strong signed with NXT shortly after Rhodes departed from WWE.

Later, following Rhodes's return at WrestleMania 38, they were briefly under the same corporate umbrella in 2022. But just as Rhodes began impacting the main roster, Strong left for AEW. Cody Rhodes's reflections on this crucial career phase provide a rich insight into the man behind the wrestling persona.

The upcoming documentary promises to delve deeper into this fascinating period, providing fans with an intimate look at a wrestler whose career transcends the ring. His independent days paved the way for his own growth and left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.