Cody Rhodes: How you book a performer right

[Deleted]

Just a thought I had.

Among all of the horrendous booking and slip-ups WWE has committed (and continues to commit) one shining star is that of Cody Rhodes. Rhodes has been on the main roster for years, toiling away in who knows how many midcard matches, vying for the odd title now and then, having very defined gimmicks for most of his run, having periodic feuds and storylines beyond "X doesn't like Y" and for...getting over with the fans. Imagine that!

So many of us talk about stars being built up in a "slow burn" style. Is this not how it's done? A man who's never run out of stuff to do despite not yet hitting the main event and so frequently appearing on TV. I wonder what makes Cody's situation so unusual compared to how others on the roster are pushed.

[adam3s]

Getting to the main roster as young as he did probably helped WWE realise he didn't need to be pushed to the moon, being Dusty's dad meant creative would always find something for him.

Plus as he has matured he has gotten better in the ring, more comfortable on the mic, plus put on more weight, making him seem more legit.

Another one that got a good build to the top was The Miz, just he didn't up his game enough once he got there. Bryan also. (MITB has really taking away a lot of big first title win moments.)


If it weren't for WWE's backward booking the same would've been true for Punk and Orton but both had world titles before they then got the slow build.

[saintpat]

Cody has always made caviar out of fish eggs, so to speak. Even when he has been given mediocre material (or worse -- remember his hygene phase?), he finds a way to make it work and evolve into something better.

Completely different guy and personality than Chris Jericho, but similar in that respect -- Jericho talks in his first book about how every moment of TV and ring time is special and the performer has to do everything in his power to get something out of it. Too many people who are given opportunities do nothing with them, and then their fans blame creative for their guy's inability to find a way to make it work -- not every spot is good, but an outstanding and dedicated talent can always find a way to make it better, and to get something positive out of it.

[JCBaggee]

Let's not forget though, his current and arguably most well received to date move to the forefront came about when they had to quickly write Cody off TV for a few weeks so he could go get married.

[Bo Rida]

Did we ever find out who was responsible for him losing the mask?
I'd argue that was bad booking as that was a great character but it may have been a situation where Cody wasn't comfortable wearing it. If he was still wearing it I think it may have added to his current angle, he could have even gave it a bit of a gold tint.

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2013 13:44:00 GMT -5 JCBaggee said:

Let's not forget though, his current and arguably most well received to date move to the forefront came about when they had to quickly write Cody off TV for a few weeks so he could go get married.

I think he was going to get pushed no matter what happened. They explicitly mentioned his impending marriage so a disappearance for the honeymoon and whatnot was all but guaranteed regardless. I do think it's impressive though, how well they've managed him. They don't overpush him and they don't de-push him for no reason. He's been made to be a credible mainstay of the division.

[Deleted]

It helps that he's always been, at the very least, good.

A lot of guys just aren't ready for the big stage when they come in but to me Cody always looked fluid and comfortable in ring. His personality struggled, but he could hold his own in matches and never looked out of place. The booking has helped him by always giving him a role but they probably had more desire to put him in spots because he constantly tried to improve.

[Deleted]

I agree, but take out the period from WM 28 to MITB 2013. During that time he was booked as aimlessly as everyone else. Rhodes Scholars, Mr. Mustache, generic mid-card heel loser.

Other than that though, absolutely. I think having that good foundation for those 4-5 years before that helped keep him afloat in the eyes of the fans.

[abjordans]

Let's not forget that this is the kind of buildup modern pro wrestling was built on. Hogan, Flair, HBK, Hart, Austin, HHH were all in the business for damn near 10 years before they sniffed a world title. Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar being freaks, and the addition of MIB, really made them lose site on how to do a proper build. Hotshotting people got out of control. When Cody finally gets to the top it is going to be very satisfying and a big moment for the crowd. They watched this guy climb all the way. No steps were skipped. It's the kind of World Title win that made me a fan of wrestling.

[misconduct was wrong]

Cody is being booked correctly..... because he is being booked in an actual story. Let's not make this assumption that this is leading to anything after the probably going to happen break up and feud with Goldust.

Also, if you listen to the crowd, I would say they're getting behind Goldust more so than Cody.

[The Heenan Family]

Oct 31, 2013 20:03:44 GMT -5 misconduct was wrong said:

Cody is being booked correctly..... because he is being booked in an actual story. Let's not make this assumption that this is leading to anything after the probably going to happen break up and feud with Goldust.

Also, if you listen to the crowd, I would say they're getting behind Goldust more so than Cody.

While there's something to be said about how visually striking the Goldust character is and how strong it can be as a gimmick, I think people are just excited that he's being pushed seriously for the first time in over a decade. Plus there's an attitude era nostalgia pop in there. That said, the fans chanted "you still got it" the other night. Meaning they're fully aware that he's at the back end of his in ring career. This is almost the equivalent of the thank you runs Christian and Mark Henry had with the world title. Only Goldust is older. It's best to enjoy it while it lasts. And the fans are.

But that's not to say Cody Rhodes isn't talented, doesn't get chants, and the crowd isn't fully aware that he's in his late 20s with much more ahead of him. This is a guy who in the past six and half years has been constantly on our television sets, hasn't missed more than a month or two tops, and yet still has not outstayed his welcome. This is a guy who spent the past year being booked as a comedy act and then into a midcard jobber yet when MITB came, the crowd jumped on his bandwagon. In September when he was suddenly fired, the crowd could have just shrugged it off and said "he'll be back in a week or two" but instead they chanted "thank you, Cody." I don't even think WWE was expecting the crowd to play along so well.

He's not going to be a John Cena, Triple H, or Ric Flair, but he's going to have a major championship run. Hopefully more successful than Dolph Ziggler or Rob Van Dam. But at this point, whether Cody is a heel or a face, the crowd will know he has earned it.

[misconduct was wrong]

Heenan Family, I agree with every word of your well written post, except the part about a major championship run. I hope it does happen, and it would be well deserved, I just can't see it. Now if this organic underdog role sticks, then who knows.

Goldust is getting far more than a nostalgia pop. People are well aware of his very public demons. He's getting love from being a recovered addict/substance abuser that's just having a blast out there, and is really good too. His enjoyment is really coming across.

[trollrogue]

I've personally been a Cody mark ever since I saw this on Smackdown:



The background music + Dashing visuals just kills me every single time! ;D

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Cody is a rare second generation guy who is worthy of lacing up his dad's boots. Honestly I think in some ways he's superior to Dusty.

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

Nov 4, 2013 7:54:20 GMT -5 "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay said:

Cody is a rare second generation guy who is worthy of lacing up his dad's boots. Honestly I think in some ways he's superior to Dusty.

In some ways, A LOT of very athletic wrestlers are superior to Dusty. But "some" doesn't cut it if you're not the total package :/

Cody is definitely very good but he's certainly nowhere near Dusty yet, especially not in the department of very passionate promos.