Cody Rhodes’ entrance theme resonates deeply with wrestling fans, evoking passionate sing-alongs whenever he steps into the ring.
The band Downstait, renowned for crafting iconic WWE entrance themes, including those for stars like The Miz and Dolph Ziggler, collaborated with Rhodes to create his memorable anthem.
Released in 2016, “Kingdom” features the signature ‘Woah’ chant synonymous with Rhodes’ WWE entrances. The song begins with Rhodes declaring, “Wrestling has more than one royal family,” paying homage to The Rhodes Family’s legacy in the industry.
Responding to a fan inquiry about Rhodes’ involvement in the song’s creation, Downstait revealed that Rhodes drew inspiration from “Throne” by Bring Me the Horizon for one line in his theme.
Additionally, the lyrics reflect Rhodes’ relationship with his late father, Dusty Rhodes. While some interpret the line “You took my dreams, but not my name” as a dig at WWE, it also symbolizes Dusty’s passing without compromising Cody’s identity.
Rhodes’ departure from WWE in 2016 stemmed from frustrations with the creative direction of his character. However, he made a triumphant return at WrestleMania 38, reigniting his rivalry with Seth Rollins.
“He said he liked the message of BMTH’s Throne (f___ you then, watch me shine), and wanted lyrics that reflected his relationship with Dusty. While many interpret ‘You took my dreams, but not my name’ as a shot at WWE, it also represents life taking Dusty, but not Cody’s identity.”
He said he liked the message of BMTH's Throne (f___ you then, watch me shine), and wanted lyrics that reflected his relationship with Dusty. While many interpret "You took my dreams, but not my name" as a shot at WWE, it also represents life taking Dusty, but not Cody's identity. https://t.co/MO2mLbyU9j
— Downstait (@DownstaitBand) March 16, 2024
Notably, Rhodes made waves at AEW’s Double or Nothing PPV in 2019 by destroying a throne with a sledgehammer—a symbolic act reminiscent of Triple H’s entrance motifs. As an Executive Vice President of AEW, Rhodes played a pivotal role in the promotion’s development.
Despite returning to WWE in 2022 under Triple H’s leadership, questions lingered about the throne incident. Triple H, while typically evasive on the topic, recently addressed it, admitting he found it amusing and would likely have reacted similarly in reverse roles.
Looking ahead, Rhodes is poised to clash with Roman Reigns at Night Two of WrestleMania 40 for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. But before that, he’ll team up with Seth Rollins on Night One to face The Rock and Reigns, with significant implications at stake.
Rhodes’ journey, marked by personal tributes, creative expressions, and intense rivalries, underscores his indelible impact on professional wrestling, setting the stage for electrifying showdowns and memorable moments at WrestleMania and beyond.
