Cody Rhodes Admits to ‘Chasing The Ghost’ of His Father’s Legacy Every Day

Cody Rhodes has a unique set of pressures ahead of him on a daily basis, because pro wrestling lives in his blood. Like other legacy performers such as Charlotte Flair and The Rock, The American Nightmare confronts the reality that, despite his achievements, he may always be compared to his father, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.

Sadly, Dusty Rhodes tragically passed away on June 11, 2015, at the age of 69 in Orlando, Florida, due to kidney failure. He will be remembered forever as a trailblazer and brilliant mind in pro wrestling, but Cody Rhodes remembers Dusty as his father.

In a recent interview with Complex, Cody Rhodes candidly discussed how he constantly feels as though he is chasing his father’s accomplishments, both inside and outside the ring. He likened his journey to that of Théoden from The Lord of the Rings, illustrating his struggle with the weight of expectations. Although Rhodes understands that his father is proud of his success, he admits to waking up each day “chasing the ghost.”

Rhodes emphasized that his father’s dedication to being present in his life made it an uphill battle for him, as he admitted that he woke up every day chasing that ghost.

“In Return of the King, Théoden dies heroically in battle. I remember he says this spiel about how he can go to his father and his father’s father unashamed. For me, I have woke up every day chasing the ghost. Chasing the ghost as a performer and a competitor. I have never had a problem internally saying, I want to be better. He was a superb father. He basically didn’t work so that he could watch me amateur wrestle. I get up every morning when I say chasing the ghost, it’s not negative, it’s a positive. I know how far ahead he is, and I know there’s still things that I could do to say, ‘I got you.'”

Cody Rhodes’ journey in pro wrestling has certainly been unique, because few have needed to face walking in the giant footsteps of their father in such a way that The American Nightmare has been forced to. We will have to see what the future holds, but he is far from finished, despite finishing his story at WrestleMania 40.

With WWE Bad Blood coming up, Cody Rhodes is set to team with Roman Reigns against The Bloodline in Atlanta. That match might also see a massive return of another pro wrestlers who was born in the business.

Obviously, with so many second, third, and even fourth generation pro wrestlers around the business, it’s easy to see how others can relate to what Cody Rhodes deals with. For more on The American Nightmare’s stories, rumors, and headlines, please keep an eye on our official Cody Rhodes news hub.