WWE Armchair Booking: How to Maximize Stardust in 2015

WWE has already hinted at the narrative that would propel Stardust to a memorable 2015; it simply has to act on it.

Having the off-kilter, face-painted heel unravel due to identity issues would result in him stealing the show this summer. Further pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship and finally getting around to actually digging into a feud with his brother would help elevate Stardust as well.

For now, Stardust is forced to play a minor role. He is on the fringes of the IC title picture, just lost in the first round of the King of the Ring tournament and is currently minus a foil.

To have such a young, promising star do so little is puzzling. Everything WWE has thrown at him, the man once known as Cody Rhodes has made it work.

The company has asked him to be a narcissist, an enraged masked man and, most recently, an unsettled man with a love for all things celestial. He has nailed each role. His next transformation has the potential to be a major asset for WWE for much of 2015. 

Obsession

Before WrestleMania, when a pack of challengers all looked to swipe Bad News Barrett's IC title away from him, Stardust stood out. Not only did refer to the belt as the Ivory Enterprise, but he wore a gleeful, psychotic look on his face when he had it in hand.

WWE should return to this but without the silly "stealing the title" shtick.

Have it be the only thing he talks about, the only goal he mentions on television. He begins to knock off men who battled for the IC crown at WrestleMania. Stardust defeats R-Truth and ambushes Dean Ambrose.

He barks at everyone from Michael Cole to Kane, demanding a title shot. Despite garnering a strong win-loss record, he doesn't get a crack at the championship. WWE goes in another direction for the IC challenger.

This leads to him becoming unhinged.

Stardust becomes distracted during matches. He talks to himself. He wanders out of the ring mid-bout, believing he sees the Ivory Enterprise on someone in the crowd.

His brother Goldust begins to worry about him. That's the trigger for the second chapter of this story.

Filial Animosity

The hunt for the IC title gives him a direction. It provides him some notable wins. It also easily leads into the feud that needs to happen.

Fans have been asking for a Rhodes-on-Rhodes battle for years. It looked as if WWE was finally going to head that way earlier this year, but only one underwhelming match came of it. That's a bout that needs to be hyped up more, that can be a signature win for Stardust.

Credit: WWE.com

Goldust attempts to console Stardust, but the younger brother refuses to listen. The Bizarre One explains that although things have been strained between them before, he's willing to forget it all and be there for Cody, all in the name of family.

This idea of a dual identity started to develop earlier, but WWE ultimately swept it aside. This is where Stardust can flourish as an actor.

Have him become incensed at every mention his real name. Have him take out his anger on Goldust who refuses to give up on him.

Eventually, Goldust vs. Stardust at SummerSlam is set with the idea that the latter wants to destroy his own brother and that Goldust wants to knock some sense into his opponent.

At SummerSlam, Stardust throttles his own flesh and blood. He dominates much of the match. Goldust, meanwhile, begs his brother to go back to being himself.

After nailing Goldust with three Dark Matters in a row, Stardust gets the pinfall and starts to celebrate. 

He looks back at his brother, though, who is badly hurt and starts to feel regret. He tries to shake that feeling off and looks to slam a steel chair on Goldust's skull. He doesn't. He holds the chair above his head and freezes.

He lifts his brother and helps him to the back instead.

Rebirth

On Raw the next night, Stardust washes off his face paint in the center of the ring. He tears off his costume and wears only a pair of wrestling trunks. He becomes Cody again and tells fans that he is sorry for who he became.

Play it up as a demonic possession of sorts. Stardust was like the creature that become Venom was to Spider-Man, an entity that tried to turn him into a darker being.

Credit: WWE.com

Rhodes can then talk about how much he appreciates his brother saving him and good of a person he is. The man formerly known as Stardust promises to make an impact as his brother did. He becomes an avenger of sorts, preventing heels from attacking other Superstars or looking to take down WWE's villains.

Make him a WWE version of a take-no-prisoners from old westerns. Make him The Punisher of the squared circle.

Showcase Rhodes' superior acting skills and push him as a top babyface, a man who battles all the monsters and snakes that populate the WWE landscape.  

This transformation and all the madness and emotion that comprises it puts Rhodes on a stage and lets him work. By the end of it, WWE would have told a tremendous story and would have a babyface on the rise at its disposal going forward.