Cody Rhodes: 5 Fun Facts About WWE's Mustachioed Superstar

Some professional wrestlers get by on just their last name. Some professional wrestlers have to build their own legacy out of nothing, but there are a select few who come up through developmental with a famous last name that earn their spot on the main roster. 

One of those people is Cody Rhodes. 

Rhodes may be the son of Dusty Rhodes, but this charismatic WWE Superstar definitely has the chops to hold his own in the WWE ring with the best of them. 

Cody has been through a lot in the WWE, most notably some very strange gimmicks and personas, including his time as "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. 

However, Rhodes' gimmicks aren't the only interesting things about him... 

Here are seven fun facts about Cody Rhodes.

1.He was a REFREE

As you've seen throughout these WWE Fun Facts slideshows, professional wrestlers usually have to pay their dues in the business or find themselves holding odd jobs before they hit it big. Cody Rhodes paid his dues...by choice. 

While Cody was just a young buck at Lassiter High School in Georgia, he spent his time away from the amateur wrestling mat (he was a state champion) with his dad, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, at a different wrestling mat. 

Cody helped his dad's wrestling promotion Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling by reffing matches between guys like Disco Inferno, Barry and Kendall Windham and Big Ron Studd when he was needed. 

2.He was a nerd

Somehow between an impressive high school wrestling career and a blossoming career in pro wrestling, Cody Rhodes still found time to get his nerd on. 

Rhodes is a huge gamer and has even discussed his love of comic books in numerous different interviews. However, there is one game in particular that steals Rhodes' time away. 

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is Rhodes' favorite game, which, according to an interview with ESPN's "The Life," he plays at least once a year. Rhodes loves the game and the series so much that he even wrestled with the Zelda triforce on his boots for a period of time, before and during his run with The Legacy. 

Along with Zelda, Rhodes has also expressed his love for the EA Sports franchises Madden and FIFA, among other sports games. 

As for comics, Rhodes prefers Omega Red and Cyclops, who are his favorite characters, and he discussed his love for Archangel and most things Marvel in an interview found here.

3.He wanted a mask

In the WWE, it isn't rare for a Superstar or Diva to come down the ramp a few days removed from an exceptionally intense beatdown wrapped up in tape or other signs of injury. Most of the time the added gear is all part of the show as an excuse to make them weaker for whatever reason. 

So when Cody Rhodes started wearing his Rip Hamilton-esque mask, it had to be just for show, right? 

False. 

Cody Rhodes legitimately had his nose broken by Mysterio early in their feud and needed something to protect his snapped schnoz. Rhodes then incorporated the mask into his character, using it to headbutt and even bludgeon unsuspecting opponents when the ref wasn't looking. 

4.Most elimination in 2012

Cody Rhodes has had some big gigs since coming to the WWE. He teamed with Hardcore Holly for a while, became huge as a part of Legacy and since then had feuds with greats like Rey Mysterio and Big Show. 

Through all of those feuds, he put on some really memorable performances, but none more memorable than his performance at the 2012 Royal Rumble. In the Royal Rumble match, Rhodes lasted for 40 minutes—something few can say—and eliminated six competitors, including Mick Foley, Booker T and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Rhodes' six eliminations were more than anyone else in the 2012 Royal Rumble. 

Big Show, a long-time veteran, was the next-best with just four eliminations.

5.He belongs to impressive family

It's no secret that Cody Rhodes is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. While just about everyone knows that, most people are also aware that Cody is the half-brother of former WWE Superstar Goldust, Dustin Rhodes. 

While those two connections alone are pretty awesome, Cody's pro wrestling lineage doesn't stop there. Rhodes' sister Kristin Ditto was once a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, he's a nephew to both Jerry Sags and Fred Ottman, he was once the brother-in-law to Terri Runnels and he's even the godson of Magnum T.A. 

Talk about a professional wrestling family.