Ranking all second generation wrestlers in NJPW

#2 Cody

Cody has thrived in his ‘American Nightmare’ gimmick

How many wrestlers in the world could boast of participating in WWE’s Wrestlemania, PWG’s Battle Of Los Angeles, ROH’s Final Battle, NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom and TNA’s Bound For Glory, all within the space of a year? Only one, Cody Runnels, better known as Cody Rhodes to the masses.

The son of arguably the biggest babyface of all time, Dusty Rhodes, Cody had a successful career in the WWE, winning the Tag Titles and Intercontinental Championship multiple times before being hit by a glass ceiling that seemed impossible to break.

Since his departure from WWE in the middle of 2016, ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody has been one of the hottest properties in the market. He skillfully used the creative freedom he got and rapidly developed into one of the best heels on the planet.

What sets Cody apart from others is his ability to deliver a great match without performing irrelevant high-risk manoeuvres and spots. He rather uses his genetically gifted mic-skills and buttery smooth ring work to allure fans.

With NJPW seeking to increase their American viewership, Cody seems to be their go-to guy. In only his fifth match in the promotion, Cody is set to challenge Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at G1 Special in the USA, in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.