WWE: Why Cody Rhodes Has Never Looked Better

Before it is all over, Cody Rhodes will go down as one of the best, if not the best wrestler and champion in the WWE.

I'll let that sink in for a bit. I know there have been many, many great wrestlers past and present who have graced the ring in cities across the globe, trying to find that right combination of confidence, style and ability.

There have been many like The rock, Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. And of this generation, Rhodes has a chance to be better than his current opponents and colleagues.

Lately, we have seen Rhodes in a zone unlike before. Remember he is just a few years removed from being the third link in Legacy where he was lagging behind Randy Orton and a fast-rising Ted DiBiase.

Not anymore.

While he is the Intercontinental Champion, Rhodes has bigger gold in his sights and hopefully he will see those fruits realized in the near future.

Here are some reasons why he is currently in the zone he is in.

Conditioning

Rhodes appears to be in the best shape of his life. He is stronger and able to battle with bigger, tougher wrestlers.

When he was in the Elimination Chamber, he was trading blows with Big Show and Wade Barrett. Those two big men are huge and will put a beating on you.

Rhodes held his own in matches like Royal Rumble and EC because he is tougher than he ever has been.

Injuries to Other Wrestlers

While this sounds mean, it is true. Injuries have afforded him the chance to step up and make a move.

It happens that way in the business. Rhodes has taken the place of several wrestlers who are out of commission and has thrived on it.

While Wade Barrett and Randy Orton are out with injury and Christian is on his way back, it has been Rhodes who is a constant on SmackDown and has led to him becoming the lead heal of the brand.

There Aren't Many Great Heels in the Company

Mark Henry is solid and was solid when he was World Champion. Daniel Bryan, however, makes no sense and his shtick is not believable.

Rhodes seems like the aggressive bully who does not let up until the opponent submits.

Rhodes has become a throwback of sorts, trying to wear the opponent down both mentally and physically.

He Doesn't Have to Please Anyone but Himself

His daddy is retired.

His brother is hanging on.

But Rhodes is his own man. It will be interesting to see if they run a Goldust/Rhodes angle at some point and maybe get Dusty involved in it.

Rhodes can stand on his own and survive. Don't know if you can say that about Dustin.

The Time Is Right for Another Rhodes to Succeed in the WWE

His time is now.

While there are the injuries and the title picture in SmackDown is up in the air because Sheamus will challenge for the title at WrestleMania 28, Rhodes needs to become "the man" and make his title mean something.

If he can stay his own course, a Sheamus/Rhodes feud may be in the near future.