Disheartening Update On Cody Rhodes Amid Ongoing WWE Absence
Cody Rhodes was absent from the historic SmackDown taping in Dublin, Ireland.
The American Nightmare has now missed two consecutive episodes of the blue brand after suffering a heinous attack from Drew McIntyre on August 8.
On August 15, The Scottish Warrior addressed the WWE Universe, during which he asked commentator Joe Tessitore for a medical update regarding the Universal WWE Champion, but was told there was none.
During the Dublin taping, McIntyre appeared at ringside, asking for an update on Cody Rhodes again.
When Tessitore said there was still no news, he went into the ring and ranted about Rhodes, calling him a little b*tch.
Drew McIntyre claimed the next time he’s in the ring with Rhodes, he will become the champion.
As he continued, 14-time World Champion Randy Orton appeared behind McIntyre and laid him out with an RKO.
It seemed like WWE was setting up Rhodes vs. McIntyre at Clash in Paris, but with no update on the champion, it will likely be a Drew-Randy rivalry before he goes for the Championship.
Joe Tessitore says there’s still no medical update on Cody Rhodes! #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/9vyTozPlSK
— Tony The Wrestling Nerd (@WrestlingNerd00) August 22, 2025
Cody Rhodes Hoping To Bring Back Stardust After 9 Years
During Cody Rhodes’ initial run in World Wrestling Entertainment, he appeared as the character Stardust for a brief period.
Stardust was a heel and was universally disliked, prompting Cody to unsuccessfully plead with WWE to end the gimmick.
Nevertheless, Rhodes has not disowned it and considers it a phase that helped carve the path for his journey.
On the episode of his podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, with Becky Lynch, he claimed he was thinking about reviving Stardust under a special circumstance.
I had this idea for. And I’m gonna put this out into existence. I had this idea that if I set a milestone with the podcast, and I don’t know what that milestone is, that I would do a bonus episode interviewing Stardust. I would do a bonus episode. I don’t know what the milestone is, but I’ve started thinking. I don’t know, maybe we could lure… I don’t know.
Cody Rhodes also officially called the curtains on his rivalry with 17-time Champion John Cena. Read what he said here.