5 reasons why Cody Rhodes is the new lightning rod in wrestling

2) That "racism" promo on Anthony Ogogo was the moment where the tide changed for Cody Rhodes

The follow-up to Cody's feud with Shaq and Jade Cargill led to a shift in how the fans reacted and perceived Cody Rhodes due to the nature of his rivalries. QT Marshall betrayed the Nightmare Family and created the Factory stable. Anthony Ogogo emerged as a new rival to Cody Rhodes and even draped the Union Jack flag over his enemy after laying him out.

Setting the tone for their feud, Cody Rhodes challenged Ogogo to a showdown at Double Or Nothing. The American Nightmare cut an impassioned speech about how much the United States and the basis it was built on meant to him. He also used the real-life upcoming birth of his bi-racial daughter to compare how his home state of Georgia was segregated years ago.

This strange promo was met with heavy criticism from the wrestling world. Many fans didn't understand why Cody Rhodes said these things or what the purpose was. The fanbase was swift to show that this wasn't what they liked. At Double Or Nothing, the Jacksonville crowd greeted Cody with a split reaction. This response has only gotten worse since then. It all stems back to this promo.

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1) Cody Rhodes is the hero in his own story, but becoming the true villain

Throughout recent wrestling history, divisive top stars like John Cena and Roman Reigns have been oblivious to the vocal reaction to their characters. It has led to many fans finding these men unrelatable as a result. WWE has fought against these reactions, but the times they play into them have led to legendary matches and moments.

For AEW, they couldn't have planned the vocal boos for Cody Rhodes to get this kind of response. He has kept all the traits that made him a compelling babyface, but Cody is no longer embraced by the fans. Rhodes could have ignored this like Cena and Reigns before him. However, he has decided to not just acknowledge them but also play into the boos in a subtle way.

Cody Rhodes has offered little nods to fan the flames of his organic reaction. The AEW EVP has shone a light on his outside ventures, started performing teases of doing Triple H's Pedigree and even pulled out a golden shovel during the Atlanta Street Fight against Andrade El Idolo. These Easter eggs have become a weekly topic of conversation and show just how impactful Cody's actions have become.

Whether fans love him or hate him, Cody Rhodes has developed something unique in the business. Although there are comparisons to Cena, Reigns, Triple H and even Jeff Jarrett, the American Nightmare has become something new. He is the hero in his own story, while being a villain in plain sight. That's why Cody Rhodes is the new lightning rod in wrestling.