Written by Ryan Frye
"When you walk behind and you're not a leader, the view never changes."
- Dusty Rhodes
These weren't just empty words from "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes; it was a mantra, a way of life. He was eccentric, unique and rebellious to his very core. He was unapologetically himself, and that's what endeared him to millions of fans throughout his illustrious career.
Dusty would pass down these characteristics to his sons. Dustin became one of the most eccentric and unique characters in wrestling history under the Goldust persona while Cody bet on himself, left his dream job and blazed a trail that has led us to the creation of All Elite Wrestling.
The brothers themselves, though, don't have many parallels to be drawn between them.
Dusty would pass down these characteristics to his sons. Dustin became one of the most eccentric and unique characters in wrestling history under the Goldust persona while Cody bet on himself, left his dream job and blazed a trail that has led us to the creation of All Elite Wrestling.
The brothers themselves, though, don't have many parallels to be drawn between them.
Prior to their match at Double or Nothing, Cody discussed how analogous the story of the prodigal son in the Bible is to him and Dustin. He explained that one does everything right, works very hard and tries to keep his family whole.
Cody continued, saying that the other brother goes abroad, whores about and makes every conceivable wrong choice that one could possibly make. But it's the first brother that's equally in the wrong because he has an expectancy from the father for all his good deeds and none of it mattered. The father loved them the same. Cody says he knows which brother he is, and he's good with that.
This dynamic has always been crystal clear, even from afar. And when you dig beneath the surface, you find out why.
Cody continued, saying that the other brother goes abroad, whores about and makes every conceivable wrong choice that one could possibly make. But it's the first brother that's equally in the wrong because he has an expectancy from the father for all his good deeds and none of it mattered. The father loved them the same. Cody says he knows which brother he is, and he's good with that.
This dynamic has always been crystal clear, even from afar. And when you dig beneath the surface, you find out why.
"When you were born, I went off to seek my fame and fortune and neglected you. And then later on, when I became NWA World's Champion, I neglected you. Then later, I became this corporate cowboy in public with a suit and tie on, and I neglected you."
- Dusty to Dustin
In Dusty's own words, he neglected his son Dustin in order to seek his fame and fortune. At the time, he acknowledged this in 1994, Cody was only nine. It was too late for him to correct his mistakes with Dustin, but he could still be there when Cody needed him.
Thus, when Cody characterized his and Dustin's match at Double or Nothing as more of a clash of generations than a clash of brothers, he was right. There's a seventeen year age gap between the two. They didn't grow up together, nor did they grow up under the same circumstances. Different upbringings bring about different results, and never has that been more clear than with Cody and Dustin.
Leading to their match, there was resentment on both ends of this sibling rivalry. Dustin's resentment came from Cody having the present father that he didn't. Cody having the pristine image, and the absence of personal demons that had Dustin possessed in his prime, he could have had a more successful career than he already had. Dustin has always been a natural inside the ring; it's just what happened outside the ring that messed things up for him.
Cody, on the other hand, was resentful of the fact that his brother is a walking symbol of an era gone by that many just can't let go. Cody and his peers are always subjected to the shadows of Attitude Era stars when Cody feels his generation of talent is simply superior. And from an athletic standpoint, it's certainly hard to argue. He promised to put his brother--a walking symbol of that era--down like you would with a sick animal that's just waiting to die. It was a mission Cody's alter ego initially set out on five years ago, but only now could Cody finally put the Attitude Era out of its misery.
Thus, when Cody characterized his and Dustin's match at Double or Nothing as more of a clash of generations than a clash of brothers, he was right. There's a seventeen year age gap between the two. They didn't grow up together, nor did they grow up under the same circumstances. Different upbringings bring about different results, and never has that been more clear than with Cody and Dustin.
Leading to their match, there was resentment on both ends of this sibling rivalry. Dustin's resentment came from Cody having the present father that he didn't. Cody having the pristine image, and the absence of personal demons that had Dustin possessed in his prime, he could have had a more successful career than he already had. Dustin has always been a natural inside the ring; it's just what happened outside the ring that messed things up for him.
Cody, on the other hand, was resentful of the fact that his brother is a walking symbol of an era gone by that many just can't let go. Cody and his peers are always subjected to the shadows of Attitude Era stars when Cody feels his generation of talent is simply superior. And from an athletic standpoint, it's certainly hard to argue. He promised to put his brother--a walking symbol of that era--down like you would with a sick animal that's just waiting to die. It was a mission Cody's alter ego initially set out on five years ago, but only now could Cody finally put the Attitude Era out of its misery.
In WWE, the tandem of Cody and Dustin Rhodes—then known as Goldust--were known as The Brotherhood. At Battleground 2013, the Rhodes brothers teamed for the first time against The Shield with their jobs on the line. They fought for their livelihoods, and they fought for the Rhodes name.
On that night, Dusty would drop what turned out to be his final Bionic Elbow, and Cody and Dustin emerged victorious in one of the most emotionally charged matches in recent history. They would go onto become the WWE Tag Team Champions together.
The story of the two brothers was never allowed to be fully told, though. Cody would become Stardust, and the two would breakup. Stardust vowed to get the attitude out but was never afforded a real opportunity to do so. Fans clamored for a resolution to the story, but little did they know, it'd take a dramatic shift of the wrestling landscape for this story to get its proper conclusion.
On that night, Dusty would drop what turned out to be his final Bionic Elbow, and Cody and Dustin emerged victorious in one of the most emotionally charged matches in recent history. They would go onto become the WWE Tag Team Champions together.
The story of the two brothers was never allowed to be fully told, though. Cody would become Stardust, and the two would breakup. Stardust vowed to get the attitude out but was never afforded a real opportunity to do so. Fans clamored for a resolution to the story, but little did they know, it'd take a dramatic shift of the wrestling landscape for this story to get its proper conclusion.
"This is a fight that needs to end. It should've ended years ago."
- Dustin Rhodes
Since the day it was announced, the wrestling world had been anticipating this match. Cody versus Dustin Rhodes. Brother versus brother. Generation versus generation. Nightmare versus Natural.
The time was finally here. The brothers stood across the ring from each other, inside the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena.
It began as a spectacle, complete with a raucous crowd chanting their father's name before the two even locked up. The proverbial big fight feel was palpable. But that spectacle quickly turned into something far different: a blood bath.
The two jockeyed for the upper hand early on with both briefly scoring some offense. When Dustin was in control, however, Cody halted it by taking a stroll through the crowd and then taking advantage when Brandi spit water into Dustin's eyes. Cody has never been one to be afraid of taking shortcuts when need be, and those shortcuts were numerous throughout this match.
Cody stayed on the offensive until his valiant brother inevitably fought his way back into the match. Dustin would position Cody for his patented Shattered Dreams move, but Cody ripped the middle turnbuckle off. Dustin went for the move anyway, but Cody countered and sent Dustin face-first into the exposed steel.
"Flesh and steel!" Jim Ross proclaimed.
Flesh and steel aren't usually a good mix, and this was no exception. The steel ripped Dustin's flesh, causing him to begin gushing blood. The phrase crimson mask may be overused in wrestling throughout the years, but it would be an accurate depiction of Dustin's face by the end of this match.
Dustin rolled to the outside to lick his wounds, and when he did, Cody's wife Brandi was lurking. When she saw her opening, she pounced with a spear to her brother-in-law. She'd get scolded and then ejected by referee Earl Hebner to the Las Vegas crowd's delight. Brandi boldly protested until Diamond Dallas Page carried her away, ensuring that there would be no more interference in this match.
The damage had been done, though. In the Old Yeller analogy Cody had made, Old Yeller was now wounded. It was time for him to turn it up a notch and take advantage of his handy work, and that's exactly what he did.
Cody smeared Dustin's blood across his chest. Even when the opportunity for offense presented itself, Dustin missed wildly. He was both defenseless and blinded by his blood.
Cody sadistically licked his lips, knowing he was in firm control. He was painting a masterpiece with his own brother's blood.
Dustin surprised a perhaps overconfident Cody with a powerslam, only for Cody to quickly respond with a figure four. Once Dustin secured a rope break, Cody fiddled around with his weight-lifting belt--that read Attitude Killer on the back--giving Dustin the opening he needed for an atomic drop.
Dustin placed Cody in the corner, pulled his tights down, and whipped Cody's bare butt. Cody briefly battled back with a back elbow but would soon eat a sunset flip and a near fall.
Dustin was now gaining momentum as the crowd came alive. He delivered a thunderous superplex, quickly followed up with a Cross Rhodes. It wasn't enough, though.
Dustin went to the Cross Rhodes well again, this time unsuccessful after Cody delivered a low blow. He quickly capitalized with a Disaster Kick then a Cross Rhodes of his own. If it wasn't enough to put Cody down for a three count, however, Dustin damn sure wouldn't allow it to defeat him either.
The crowd chanted "Fight forever!" as the brothers both came to their feet. Dustin knocked Cody loopy with a headbutt then delivered his second successful Cross Rhodes. To Dustin's dismay, Cody kicked out again!
Cody and Dustin traded blows. Neither could down the other until they collided in a double clothesline. Dustin rolled into a cover, but Cody kicked out at two and a half.
Cody soon planted Dustin on the back of his neck, this time without Cody even attempting the cover. Earl Hebner began his count, but Cody stopped it. He wanted this match to end decisively. He scooped his brother up and nailed the Cross Rhodes for a second time.
1, 2, 3.
As Earl Hebner raised Cody's hand, Cody wasn't exactly relishing in his victory as one might expect. He looked solemn, even sad. He took no pride in what he had done to his brother. This had never been a blood feud, it was just two brothers needing to fight. But at the end of the day, they were brothers. They loved each other.
The time was finally here. The brothers stood across the ring from each other, inside the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena.
It began as a spectacle, complete with a raucous crowd chanting their father's name before the two even locked up. The proverbial big fight feel was palpable. But that spectacle quickly turned into something far different: a blood bath.
The two jockeyed for the upper hand early on with both briefly scoring some offense. When Dustin was in control, however, Cody halted it by taking a stroll through the crowd and then taking advantage when Brandi spit water into Dustin's eyes. Cody has never been one to be afraid of taking shortcuts when need be, and those shortcuts were numerous throughout this match.
Cody stayed on the offensive until his valiant brother inevitably fought his way back into the match. Dustin would position Cody for his patented Shattered Dreams move, but Cody ripped the middle turnbuckle off. Dustin went for the move anyway, but Cody countered and sent Dustin face-first into the exposed steel.
"Flesh and steel!" Jim Ross proclaimed.
Flesh and steel aren't usually a good mix, and this was no exception. The steel ripped Dustin's flesh, causing him to begin gushing blood. The phrase crimson mask may be overused in wrestling throughout the years, but it would be an accurate depiction of Dustin's face by the end of this match.
Dustin rolled to the outside to lick his wounds, and when he did, Cody's wife Brandi was lurking. When she saw her opening, she pounced with a spear to her brother-in-law. She'd get scolded and then ejected by referee Earl Hebner to the Las Vegas crowd's delight. Brandi boldly protested until Diamond Dallas Page carried her away, ensuring that there would be no more interference in this match.
The damage had been done, though. In the Old Yeller analogy Cody had made, Old Yeller was now wounded. It was time for him to turn it up a notch and take advantage of his handy work, and that's exactly what he did.
Cody smeared Dustin's blood across his chest. Even when the opportunity for offense presented itself, Dustin missed wildly. He was both defenseless and blinded by his blood.
Cody sadistically licked his lips, knowing he was in firm control. He was painting a masterpiece with his own brother's blood.
Dustin surprised a perhaps overconfident Cody with a powerslam, only for Cody to quickly respond with a figure four. Once Dustin secured a rope break, Cody fiddled around with his weight-lifting belt--that read Attitude Killer on the back--giving Dustin the opening he needed for an atomic drop.
Dustin placed Cody in the corner, pulled his tights down, and whipped Cody's bare butt. Cody briefly battled back with a back elbow but would soon eat a sunset flip and a near fall.
Dustin was now gaining momentum as the crowd came alive. He delivered a thunderous superplex, quickly followed up with a Cross Rhodes. It wasn't enough, though.
Dustin went to the Cross Rhodes well again, this time unsuccessful after Cody delivered a low blow. He quickly capitalized with a Disaster Kick then a Cross Rhodes of his own. If it wasn't enough to put Cody down for a three count, however, Dustin damn sure wouldn't allow it to defeat him either.
The crowd chanted "Fight forever!" as the brothers both came to their feet. Dustin knocked Cody loopy with a headbutt then delivered his second successful Cross Rhodes. To Dustin's dismay, Cody kicked out again!
Cody and Dustin traded blows. Neither could down the other until they collided in a double clothesline. Dustin rolled into a cover, but Cody kicked out at two and a half.
Cody soon planted Dustin on the back of his neck, this time without Cody even attempting the cover. Earl Hebner began his count, but Cody stopped it. He wanted this match to end decisively. He scooped his brother up and nailed the Cross Rhodes for a second time.
1, 2, 3.
As Earl Hebner raised Cody's hand, Cody wasn't exactly relishing in his victory as one might expect. He looked solemn, even sad. He took no pride in what he had done to his brother. This had never been a blood feud, it was just two brothers needing to fight. But at the end of the day, they were brothers. They loved each other.
"You don't get to retire here; you don't get that. Because I've got to ask you a favor, in front of God and the whole world. Before AEW was a thing, before we filled this arena, it was me. It was Kenny. It was Matt. It was Nick. It was Tony. And I put my name on a piece of paper for our show next month in Jacksonville for Fight for the Fallen. You know what match I put my name down on? It was myself and a partner of my choosing against what I think is the best tag team in the world, The Young Bucks.
But Dustin, I don't need a partner. I don't need a friend. I need my older brother."
- Cody
Blood, sweat and tears is quite a cliche, but on this night in Las Vegas, Nevada, Cody and Dustin spilled all three in order to make their brotherhood right.
WWE had them team and then fight, which is often logical. But for the Rhodes brothers, they needed to fight before they could team.
Two brothers from two different generations that never lived together. One was often jealous of the other. They never truly got the chance to bond or to really understand each other.
It isn't that they didn't respect each other before, but after Double or Nothing, they can have the ultimate respect for each other. They fought it out then they hugged it out, as brothers do.
WWE had them team and then fight, which is often logical. But for the Rhodes brothers, they needed to fight before they could team.
Two brothers from two different generations that never lived together. One was often jealous of the other. They never truly got the chance to bond or to really understand each other.
It isn't that they didn't respect each other before, but after Double or Nothing, they can have the ultimate respect for each other. They fought it out then they hugged it out, as brothers do.
