Cody Rhodes is a third-generation wrestler and essentially grew up around the squared circle. His father, Dusty Rhodes, is a WWE, WCW, Professional Wrestling, and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer. In addition, his older half-brother, Dustin Rhodes, should be inducted into the Hall of Famer sooner rather than later.
You could argue that wrestling and being a WWE champion is his birthright. And, while The American Nightmare could very much make his dream come true in April, he'll be making his mark by bringing back a fan-favorite design of the WWE championship.
The younger Rhodes sparked rumors of a potential re-appearance of the Winged Eagle design for the WWE title last year, before he outright said that he'd bring it back after winning the Royal Rumble.
In Rhodes' words, he grew up with the Winged Eagle, so he'd want nothing but to bring it back. Furthermore, he retweeted a picture by FigureKingdom of a figure of himself holding the said title on his shoulder.
Of course, this all hinges on whether Rhodes wins against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) February 26, 2023
The Winged Eagle WWE Championship was only part of the WWE for a decade but it's one of the most iconic belt designs in the history of the wrestling promotion. Hulk Hogan was the first to wear the title in February 1988 as it switched hands to the likes of Andrew The Giant, Randy Savage, Ric Flair, The Undertaker, and more. The last WWE champion to hold the belt was "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who won it from Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 14.
It would be interesting to see Rhodes win the WWE Universal Title with both Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels either in the audience and/or as participants at WrestleMania 39.
