WWE Extreme Rules Results: What's Next for Cody Rhodes?

Rey Mysterio defeated Cody Rhodes at WWE Extreme Rules on Sunday night. The Falls Count Anywhere match ended when Rey hit the 619 and then a springboard cross body to get the pin.

Fans of the second generation Superstar will likely be disappointed by this outcome, considering the growth of his character since donning the protective face mask. I have to say, his evolution has been great to watch.

The smug, arrogant gimmick that Rhodes was running is a time-honored character in the business.

From Gorgeous George, to Ric Flair, to Jimmy Garvin and Rick Rude, all the way to Cody Rhodes now, the cocky swagger of these characters ensures instant heat with the fans. It’s over, it works. It is a can’t-miss gimmick.

But, with the new twist on Rhodes’ self image being shattered, he has been allowed to explore a new dimension of his character. And, he has done exceptionally well.

So, what’s next for Cody Rhodes? The fact is, the sky is the limit. He’s young, he’s talented and he has the whole world’s attention. A lifetime of pro wrestling lies ahead of him, and losing this feud will not be the end of him. The truth is, it's just another chapter.

Getting better in the business means working people who are better than you. It is the only way to improve. Working a former world champion on the WWE stage is a great way to get better, and Cody is doing just that.

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment for Cody at this point in his career is that he has proven he can stand on his own.

Being the son of The American Dream has helped Cody in a lot of ways, no doubt about it. But, standing in the shadow of someone like Dusty Rhodes, one of the true legends of the business, is not an easy task. Dustin had to learn to be his own man and found a way to do it.

Now, Cody has done the same. Yes, Dusty is behind the curtain, and will occasionally be on TV for various different reasons, but for me, Cody Rhodes is now Cody Rhodes the wrestler, not Cody Rhodes, son of The American Dream. That’s true evolution, and Cody looks to be very comfortable in his new gimmick.

An interesting feud for me would perhaps be Cody Rhodes and Daniel Bryan. Both men match up physically, and each are talented in the ring. Bryan was not given that much on RAW, and now that he’s on Smackdown, a rivalry with Rhodes could be good for both guys.

Another potential feud that may not be obvious to be some would be against Kane. The comparisons between their gimmicks is obvious to me, and no one plays the tortured soul better than Kane.

But perhaps the one that may be destined to happen at some point is Cody Rhodes against newly acquired Smackdown Superstar Randy Orton.

After their time together in Legacy, and the way that stable ended, the two have a lot of history and bad blood to use to their advantage. Rhodes could get the rub from Orton, much the same way he did from Rey, thus writing another chapter in his evolution as a WWE Superstar.

No matter what lies ahead for dashing Cody Rhodes, the truth is, the possibilities are endless. A bright, young kid with a good physique, talent in the ring and a wealth of knowledge at his disposal, can go to the very top of this business. Cody Rhodes is just now embarking on that journey, and we the fans all get to watch as it happens.