10 Best Matches of Cody Rhodes since departing from WWE

#4 Cody Rhodes vs Kazuchika Okada - NJPW: G1 Specials in the US, 2017

Cody vs Okada from G1 Specials

For all the criticism that Cody Rhodes has been receiving since arriving in NJPW and ROH for his in-ring performances, this bout just straight up proved that The American Nightmare is certainly more than capable of hanging in the ring with all the big boys.

This IWGP Heavyweight Champion vs ROH World Champion bout is an absolute instant classic, with both Cody and Okada wrestling each other back-and-forth and trading some absolutely hard hitting shots.

Regardless of all the in-ring work, the character work from both men (not only just from Cody), but from Okada as well, was just outstanding and the big story that came out from this match was the intensity in the build-up to the feud between Cody and Omega.

After Cody initially attempted to throw in the towel for Omega at Dominion in his IWGP Heavyweight Title bout against Okada, this time it was The Best Bout Machine's turn to throw in the towel for a battered Cody Rhodes. However, Cody's wife Brandi did not let that happen as it eventually led to Cody throwing the towel on Omega's face instead as a sign of disrespect.

A possessed Cody Rhodes then went to his limits and looked to cause the major upset, by trying to hit the One-Winged Angel and then defeat Okada, but that right there was the big difference as the champion countered it into a Rainmaker and retained his title belt.