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Cody Rhodes WWE Belt: His Championship Journey

Cody Rhodes WWE Belt

Few championship stories in recent WWE history carry as much emotional weight as Cody Rhodes’ pursuit of the WWE title. Framed around his mantra of “finishing the story,” a tribute to his late father Dusty Rhodes, who never won a WWE world championship, Cody’s journey from a mid-card act to the face of WWE has become one of the most compelling narratives in modern wrestling. 

This guide covers the complete history of the Cody Rhodes WWE belt, from his emotional 2024 title win to his ongoing reign heading into 2026.

Cody Rhodes' Path Back to WWE Gold

Cody Rhodes first joined WWE in 2007, the son of wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, and spent his first run in the company mostly in mid-card and tag team roles. After requesting his release in 2016, Rhodes rebuilt his career on the independent scene before co-founding All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he became a top star and executive. He made his highly anticipated return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, defeating Seth Rollins in his first match back, immediately signaling his intent to chase the company’s top title.

The First Attempt: WrestleMania 39

Rhodes’ first real shot at the Cody Rhodes WWE belt story came at WrestleMania 39 in 2023, where he challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Despite winning that year’s Royal Rumble to earn the opportunity, Rhodes came up short against Reigns, setting up a rematch that would define his career the following year.

WrestleMania 40: "Finishing the Story" (2024)

On April 7, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Cody Rhodes finally captured his first world championship in WWE, defeating Roman Reigns in a chaotic “Bloodline Rules” main event that saw interference and appearances from Jey Uso, John Cena, Seth Rollins, and The Undertaker. The win ended Reigns’ historic 1,316-day reign as champion and made Rhodes the new Undisputed WWE Champion. The victory carried deep personal significance, since Rhodes became the first member of his wrestling family to win a top WWE world championship, a title his father Dusty Rhodes, a WWE Hall of Famer and multiple-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, never captured during his own legendary career.

Losing and Regaining the Title (2025)

Rhodes successfully defended the Cody Rhodes WWE belt through his ninth title defense before losing it to John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 41 in April 2025. That victory made Cena a record-breaking 17-time world champion, surpassing Ric Flair’s long-standing mark. Rhodes’ first reign as champion lasted an impressive 378 days. His championship story didn’t end there, however: after a series of title changes involving Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton later in 2025, Rhodes won back the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating McIntyre, setting up a fresh chapter heading into 2026.

WrestleMania 42: Retaining Against Randy Orton (2026)

At WrestleMania 42 in April 2026, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Cody Rhodes defended his championship against former Legacy stablemate Randy Orton, who was chasing his own record-tying 15th world title. The match, complicated by outside interference from Orton’s new manager, ESPN personality Pat McAfee, saw Rhodes retain the title after connecting with a Cross Rhodes. Despite the win, Orton got the final word, attacking Rhodes with the championship belt and delivering his signature Punt Kick after the match, setting up further tension between the two former allies. This marked Rhodes’ fourth consecutive year main-eventing WrestleMania, a remarkable run that has firmly established him as the face of WWE’s current era.

The Dusty Rhodes Connection

Much of the emotional resonance behind the Cody Rhodes WWE belt story comes from his family legacy. His father, Dusty Rhodes, was one of wrestling’s most beloved performers and a multiple-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, but never held a WWE world title during his career. Cody has spoken openly about carrying that unfinished business into his own championship pursuit, and his WrestleMania 40 victory was widely framed by fans and commentators alike as him finally completing that family story.

Own a Piece of WWE Championship History

Explore our full WWE Championship Belts collection for authentic-style replicas of the current Undisputed WWE Championship, along with designs spanning WWE’s complete championship history. For more on the title Rhodes currently holds, check out our complete guide to the WWE Undisputed Championship belt, and for the story of the man who took the title from him in 2025, don’t miss our complete John Cena WWE belt history.

FAQs

When did Cody Rhodes win his first WWE Championship?

Cody Rhodes won his first Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40 on April 7, 2024, defeating Roman Reigns to end his 1,316-day title reign.

Why is Cody Rhodes' championship win called "finishing the story"?

The phrase refers to Rhodes completing what his father, WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, never achieved: winning a WWE world championship, making Cody the first member of his family to do so.

Who took the WWE title from Cody Rhodes?

 John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 in April 2025, becoming a record-breaking 17-time world champion in the process.

Did Cody Rhodes win the title back after losing it?

Yes, following a series of title changes later in 2025, Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Conclusion

The Cody Rhodes WWE belt journey stands as one of the most emotionally resonant championship stories in recent wrestling history, built around family legacy, perseverance, and a genuinely satisfying payoff at WrestleMania 40. From his 2022 return to WWE to his ongoing reign as Undisputed WWE Champion heading into 2026, Rhodes has cemented himself as the face of WWE’s current era, carrying both his father’s legacy and the company’s biggest title with him every step of the way.

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