WWE: Cody Rhodes or Dustin Rhodes, Who Will Have the Better Career?

 The American Dream Dusty Rhodes is a three time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and one of the best to ever lace up the boots. He was a booker for Jim Crockett Promotions, where he was credited for many of the top money making concepts that the company used to entertain fans world wide. He is a WWE Hall of Famer and is considered a true legend in professional wrestling.

Try following that as a career choice.

But, that is just what Cody Rhodes, and his brother before him, Dustin, have done. There was a lot of risk involved for each man, to even attempt following their father into the business. It was anyone’s guess as to whether or not it would have been possible for either one to achieve any level of success, when compared to the example set before them.

Thus far, both men have more than risen to the challenge.

Dustin was the first of course, spending a short one year stint with WWE, and then moved on to WCW in 1991. He became the Natural, and the nickname more than fit.

Physically he looked like Dusty. He wore black trunks, cowboy boots, and even had the same haircut. He was definitely following The Dream, and it was very cool to see him in that role, as Dusty’s time in the ring was all but over.

It was almost like rewinding Dusty Rhodes for a whole new generation of fans.

Dustin and Barry Windham, a man who had seen his career begin in the business under Dusty, won the World Tag Team Championships. Barry Windham was, like Dustin, a second generation wrestler, and the two men were a formidable tag team.

Dustin Rhodes was carving out quite a nice little career for himself, as the son of The American Dream. He seemed destined to continue down the same path for years to come, much to the delight of fans who had loved his father for so long before him.

Then 1995 came, along with a brand new WWE contract. And, Dustin Rhodes’ career changed forever.

Goldust was born, and it was one of the most over the top, controversial gimmicks that the business had ever seen. Sporting a blonde wig and gold face paint, Dustin completely changed everything about himself to become this new character.

He was nearly unrecognizable in the gold bodysuit, and the mannerisms that he used to sell the character. To be honest, I had no idea who the guy was when I first saw him. When he got in the ring and removed his wig, I stared on in disbelief, as it suddenly hit me.

“That’s Dustin. Wait, what?”

Truth be told, I, like a lot of other red blooded American men out there, had reservations about what I was seeing. What was this? How was I expected to take this new gimmick? Goldust was, for lack of a better word, creepy.

Then, I realized it. I was supposed to be creeped out. That was the whole point.

Dustin did more with the Goldust gimmick than perhaps anyone else could have done. He made it work, on every level, and did what every performer who has ever set foot in a pro wrestling ring, tries to do.

He got over, in a gimmick that fans will never forget.

Cody Rhodes debuted in WWE in 2007, in an angle with his father and Randy Orton. Cody, like Dustin, physically resembles Dusty, and is also a good worker in his own right.

Cody’s run with Legacy in 2008 was a great way to flesh out his character, and established him as a solid talent in WWE. Cody’s skills were there, his ability in the ring was obvious, and as time went on he only improved in the ring.

Cody Rhodes soon became Dashing Cody Rhodes, a gimmick that at first blush seemed too silly to work. After all, the arrogant, self absorbed narcissist has been done to death in the business, how would Cody Rhodes be able to add anything new to the concept?

Then, much like when his older brother first became Goldust, Cody found himself with a fresh new gimmick. Once again, a son of The Dream had found his own way.

Cody’s transformation from “dashing” to “hideously disfigured,” immediately added a new dimension to his character. He suddenly went from a heel smiling in a mirror to a tortured soul who believed he was a monster, constantly attempting to hide his face from the crowd.

For me, Cody has never looked more at home in his gimmick than he does right now. With his ability in the ring, and a character that is getting over with the fans, the sky seems to be the limit for what he can do in WWE.

So, to the point of the discussion. Which of the Rhodes boys will have the better career?

It’s always a tricky proposition, attempting to evaluate the career of one worker whose in ring career is seemingly over, versus that of one whose is just beginning. After all, every fan has his or her own favorite, and that always seems to come into play.

At the end of the day, as with any other subject fans debate on, this one also is all about the way you look at it.

If championship titles are any indication, then so far, Dustin is ahead. He has three Intercontinental Title runs, along with seven Hardcore Championships and one World Tag Team Title.

Cody has three World Tag Team Titles and one WWE Tag Team Title. So, point goes to Dustin.

But, Goldust lost six of the seven Hardcore Titles he won on the same nights he won them. Also, Cody’s time in Legacy was spent working as a tag team with fellow member Ted Dibiase Jr, so singles championships were really not on the agenda for his character.

The fact is, Cody is not yet finished, and who knows what lies ahead for him? A singles title is surely on the horizon at some point, and who knows? Perhaps even a World Title run will come his way at some point.

As far as overall impact on the business is concerned, Dustin gets the edge once again, as the Goldust character has cemented him in the minds of fans all over the world. Goldust, at his peak, was over in every way, and fans had to tune in just to be appalled at the next crazy situation he would mastermind next.

But, again, Cody is not yet done. The new twist on his character has opened up a wide range of possibilities for him, and could very well propel him into being a main event player on Smackdown. If the evolution of his character continues, he could become a big time WWE Superstar.

The American Dream has two sons he can be very proud of. Dustin and Cody have each proven that with natural ability and hard work, they can carve their own path to success in the business. Whether one son will stand above the other is unknown.

What is certain for me, however, is that Dusty will not be the only Rhodes in the WWE Hall of Fame. The real question is, who will join him?