Every WWE Superstar Who Has Pinned Cody Rhodes Since His 2022 Return

When Cody Rhodes made his stunning WWE return at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, he immediately positioned himself as one of the company’s biggest attractions. Since then, The American Nightmare has transformed from a returning fan favorite into the face of WWE.

His journey has included back-to-back Royal Rumble victories, multiple WrestleMania main events, and the long-awaited moment when he finally “finished the story” by capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40.

With WWE carefully protecting Rhodes’ momentum, pinfall defeats have become exceptionally rare. Every loss has served a larger purpose, whether it was advancing a storyline, elevating another superstar, or creating a defining moment.

Here’s a closer look at the exclusive list of superstars who have pinned Cody Rhodes since his WWE return.

Why Cody Rhodes’ Losses Matter More Than Most

In modern WWE, top stars rarely lose cleanly. Protecting major attractions helps maintain their credibility while ensuring that victories over them feel meaningful.

Rhodes is perhaps the clearest example of this strategy.

Since returning in 2022, he has been presented as a resilient, never-say-die hero who consistently overcomes adversity. As a result, every pinfall loss has become a significant storyline moment rather than a routine booking decision.

Roman Reigns Delivered Cody Rhodes’ Most Heartbreaking Defeat

At WrestleMania 39, Rhodes appeared destined to complete his story by defeating Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

Instead, interference from The Bloodline helped Reigns retain the title, handing Cody one of the most devastating losses of his career.

While controversial at the time, the defeat ultimately enhanced Rhodes’ story arc. His eventual championship victory one year later carried even greater emotional weight because of the setback.

The Rock Turned WrestleMania 40 Into a Nightmare

The arrival of The Final Boss transformed Cody’s road to WrestleMania 40 into WWE’s biggest storyline in years.

On Night One, Rhodes teamed with Seth Rollins against The Rock and Roman Reigns in a high-stakes tag team match.

The veteran duo emerged victorious, with The Rock pinning Cody and ensuring Bloodline Rules would apply to the championship match the following night.

Despite the defeat, Rhodes rebounded 24 hours later to finally finish his story.

Solo Sikoa Earned the Biggest Win of His Career

At Money in the Bank 2024, Solo Sikoa pinned Rhodes during a chaotic six-man tag team match featuring members of the new Bloodline.

The victory instantly elevated Solo from enforcer to legitimate main-event threat.

More importantly, it laid the foundation for his future rivalry with Rhodes over the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Very few stars have pinned WWE’s top babyface in recent years, making this one of the defining moments of Sikoa’s career.

Drew McIntyre Proved Cody Rhodes Was Not Untouchable

Drew McIntyre has consistently been one of Rhodes’ toughest opponents.

The Scottish Warrior first pinned Cody during the build-up to WrestleMania 40, benefiting from distractions and outside circumstances.

He later repeated the feat in 2026, capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship with assistance from a returning Jacob Fatu.

These victories established McIntyre as one of the few superstars capable of matching Rhodes in intensity, resilience, and star power.

Seth Rollins Finally Got His Revenge

Rhodes defeated Seth Rollins three consecutive times in 2022, including their memorable Hell in a Cell encounter.

For years, Rollins struggled to solve the Cody Rhodes puzzle.

That changed at Crown Jewel 2025, when The Visionary finally secured his first pinfall victory over Rhodes.

The result added a new layer to one of WWE’s most compelling modern rivalries and proved that Rollins remained among the elite performers in the company.

John Cena Added Another Historic Chapter to His Legacy

A showdown between Cody Rhodes and John Cena represented a battle between WWE’s present and its past.

At WrestleMania 41, Cena used his experience and ring IQ to defeat The American Nightmare in one of the year’s most talked-about matches.

The victory reinforced Cena’s legendary status while reminding fans that even WWE’s biggest modern stars remain vulnerable against all-time greats.

Randy Orton’s Betrayal of Legacy Added Emotional Weight

When the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber match came down to former Legacy stablemates Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, fans knew emotions would run high.

After interference from Drew McIntyre weakened Rhodes, Orton capitalized with a perfectly timed RKO to secure the victory.

The win earned The Viper a world championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42 and added another memorable chapter to his long history with Rhodes.

The fact that one of Cody’s earliest mentors in WWE joined this exclusive list made the defeat even more significant.

What Makes This List So Exclusive?

Only seven superstars have managed to pin Cody Rhodes in more than four years since his WWE return.

That statistic highlights just how carefully WWE has booked The American Nightmare.

Every defeat has either elevated another star, advanced a major storyline, or created a memorable moment that shaped the company’s future direction.

Rather than weakening Rhodes, these losses have strengthened his character by showcasing his ability to overcome setbacks.

Conclusion

Cody Rhodes’ remarkable WWE run has been defined not only by his victories but also by the rare moments when he has fallen short.

From Roman Reigns’ heartbreaking triumph at WrestleMania 39 to Randy Orton’s Elimination Chamber victory, each pinfall loss has carried significant consequences.

As the Undisputed WWE Champion and the face of the company, Rhodes remains one of the most protected stars in professional wrestling.

That means every future defeat will continue to feel like a major event—and every superstar who pins The American Nightmare will instantly join one of WWE’s most exclusive clubs.