Booking Cody Rhodes to the World Title (short term)

Im sure there was a thread about booking Cody Rhodes but I couldnt find it so sorry in advance. Basically I've been given some thought about the current WWE title situation and how there are no new top faces to go for it, so I think I've came up with a pretty good scenario to make Cody look like a genuine World Title guy in the space of a few months.

Starting at Raw - 2 weeks before Money in the Bank.

Cody handpicks Goldusts new partner - the worlds strongest man Mark Henry. Henryr and Goldie lost to RybAxel, prompting Goldust to beg Cody to team with him again. Cody reluctantly agrees.

1 week till MitB

Goldust and Cody face Ryback and Axel in singles competition respectively. Both men win and Cody seems to have his confidence back.

Money in the Bank PPV.

The Rhodes Brothers vs RybAxel. Cody takes a meathook clothesline on the outside allowing Axel to pin Goldust. Cody, looking deflated goes to apologize to Goldust. Goldust turns his back on him before turning around and flattening Cody with a stiff right hand. Cody and the commentators sell shock as Goldust walks out.

Meanwhile, in the main event ladder match - Randy Orton wins the WWE World Heavyweight title.

The next night on RAW - 4 weeks to Battleground.

Goldust comes out and cuts a promo about how Cody was the weak link after all, and he didnt even have the brains to find someone better. Goldust says he will be keeping an eye on the rest of the roster to hand pick his own tag team partner and become Tag Champions once again. Cody comes out. Cody says that he agreed with Goldust about him being the weaker brother, until Goldust punched him in the face and walked out on him. He says 'brothers dont turn on each other' and now Cody wants to chance to prove he is the stronger Rhodes brother. Goldust says if Cody can beat his hand picked opponent next week Cody will get the chance.

RAW - 3 weeks till Battleground

Cody Rhodes comes out for his match. Goldust comes out first to boos - to join the commentary team. Out comes Cody's opponent - Titus O'Niell. Goldust teases that Titus could be his new partner. After a good back and forth match and several feats of strength from Titus, Cody hits the disaster kick for a 3 count. After the match Cody takes a mic and officially challenges Goldust to a match as Battleground. Goldust accepts, vowing to prove once and for all Cody is the weak link.

RAW - 2 weeks till Battleground.

Cody is having a warm up match with RVD, good action with both men getting in some good spots - before Goldust charges the ring and attacks Cody. The match gets thrown out and the segment ends with Goldust standing tall.

RAW - 1 week till Battleground

Cody opens RAW to cut a promo on his brother. He says all he wants is a fair fight, but he doesnt think he'll get that after the sneak attack last week. He tells the crowd that its those kind of dirty tactics and resorting to cheating that prove Goldust isnt the stronger brother, and at Battleground, he will prove it.

Later in the night, Goldust is one on one vs Adam Rose. Just as it looks like Goldust will put Rose away, Cody appears on the stage. Goldust is distracted enough to allow Rose to hit the Party Foul and pin Goldust. Cody celebrates and dances with the Exotic Express, taunting Goldust, having just gained the upper hand going in the PPV.

Battleground PPV

After a good 15-20 minute match, with plenty nearfalls and action outside the ring, Cody manages to counter out of a Curtain Call and hit the Cross Rhodes, pinning Goldust. Cody celebrates, but looks solemnly at his fallen brother.

Meanwhile, Randy Orton successfully defends his title against The Big Show.

Raw - 4 weeks to Summerslam

Cody comes out to cut a promo on Goldust. Goldust interrupts but walks to ring applauding his brother. He gets in the ring and apologizes to Cody, and accepts that the better man won. Cody tells him that after last night, they cant be tag partners again, but they will always be brothers. Cody shakes his brothers hand before raising his arm. The crowd cheer as the brothers make amends and Goldusts short heel run comes to an end.

Triple H comes out later in the show to announce the new No 1 contender. He says that while they've had a B+ title reign, its time to start making A's again, and to do that you need to see who has potential. So next week on RAW there will be a 5 man, 20 minute Scramble Match to determine the new No1 contender to Randy Ortons WWE title, and the 5 men will all be guys who have never held a world title in the WWE before.

RAW - 3 weeks to Summerslam

The 5 men in the scramble match are; Bad News Barrett, Cesaro, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes. Cody starts the match with Cesaro. With 1 minute left; Ambrose and Rollins are brawling up the aisle. BNB hits Cesaro with the bullhammer and scores the pin to be the new No1 contender. As he celebrates Cody hits the Disaster Kick from out of no where and pins BNB with seconds remaining. The bell rings and Cody Rhodes sells shock as he is the new No1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

We see Randy Orton watching the main event from a monitor in the back. He doesnt really know what to make of Cody's victory as RAW signs off the air.

RAW - 2 weeks to Summerslam

Randy Orton comes out to open the show. He apologizes in advance to all the people who bought Summerslam tickets only to be stuck with Cody Rhodes. He tells Cody that he isnt in his league and he will make short work on him at Summerslam, and the fans will be due a refund. Cody interrupts, he tells Orton that they have a long history together, and on paper, yes, Orton has had his number. But Cody isnt the same man that was the fresh faced youngster in Legacy. Cody has matured, evolved and bettered himself as a competitor, and he proved it last week when he beat 4 other guys.

Orton tells him that was just a fluke, and he doesnt deserve a title shot. Cody tells him he will prove it, and challenges Orton to a 'Pick you Poison' match tonight. Orton agrees. Cody tells Orton to stay in the ring, because his match is next. Out comes Ortons opponent picked but Cody - The Big Show. Orton sells worry as Big Show walks out. He shakes Codys hand and smiles as he goes down the ramp to face Orton. The end of the match comes when Orton counters out of a chokeslam and hits an RKO.

Later, Cody is out to face his opponent - picked by Orton - The demon Kane. Cody sells slight confidence and the commentators say that Cody couldnt have prepared for this. The end of the match comes as Cody is starting to build momentum and is about to put Kane away. Orton runs down and climbs on the apron. While the referee is dealing with Orton, Kane hits Cody with a low blow, then the Tombstone Piledriver to pin Cody. Orton is seen laughing his way back up the ramp.

RAW - 1 week till Sumerslam

Orton comes out gloating about one-upping Cody last week. Codys music hits but he is nowhere to be seen. As Orton is staring down the ramp, Cody enters the ring and attacks Orton. The 2 brawl to the outside and brawl up the aisle before the referees, agents and trainers come out to break them up. Cole notes that this rivalry has reached tipping point before the PPV.

Summerslam

After a long back and forth battle, both men hitting finishers but cant put the other away. Orton starts to sell his frustration after Cody kicks out of a middle rop DDT. He goes to the outside and grabs one of his titles. As the referee is taking off him, Cody tries to charge but Orton moves and Cody takes out the referee. He sells shock but Orton turns him round to hit an RKO. Cody counters out and hits a Disaster Kick. He quickly covers Orton but the referee is down. The crowd chant a 6 count before Cody goes to revive the ref. Once the ref has stirred, Cody goes to finish Orton off with a Cross Rhodes, but Orton frees out of it and hits Cody with a blatent low blow. The ref has no choice but to DQ Orton. Cody sells dejection and pleads with the ref to take it back, but Orton is already away with the belts. Cody is close to tears as the commentators sell the fact Orton has screwed Cody out of the biggest match of his career, and that Cody had him beat.

Raw - 4 weeks to Night of Champions

Orton comes out to huge boos with a big gloat on his face. He tells the crowd and Cody that he told them so, and that Cody isnt in his league. Now that that silly Summerslam 'B+' business is dealt with he can move on to something more on his level. Cody comes out to a huge pop. He stands on the stage and tells Orton that he had him beat. I had you pinned for a 3 count fair and square, and you couldnt handle it and took the easy way out. Cody tells Orton he is out here to challenge him to one more match, and to stop Orton pulling any of his tricks again, it'll be a street fight. Orton doesnt like that idea, and rejects. Triple H comes out and tells Orton that he is looking for an A Champion, and A Champions arent guys who steal title matches. Trips tells Orton he thought he was better than that, and makes the street fight official. Orton is fuming in the ring as Cody is smiling away.

Raw - 3 weeks to NoC

Triple H has made it Orton vs Goldust tonight. Cody is watching on the monitor in the back. Orton nails Goldust with an RKO for the pin. After the match, it looks like Orton is leaving but he turns back and starts attacking Goldust again. We cut back to Codys monitor but hes nowhere to be seen. Orton is lining up a Punt Kick before Cody makes the save, but he eats and RKO for his troubles. Orton climbs out the ring and grabs a chair and something from under the ring. We see Orton has a pair of handcuffs, which he uses to restrain Cody to the bottom turnbuckle. He attacks Goldust brutally with the chair as Cody is writhing in anger. He drops Goldust with a second rope DDT onto the chair, then smashes him with a punt kick. He escapes the ring just as Cody releases the turnbuckle and can get to his brother. He is seething in the ring as Orton taunts him from the rampway.

Raw - 2 weeks to NoC

Dusty Rhodes opens RAW to discuss his sons. He says that Goldust is still recovering at home, and Cody is in no state to come out here yet. He praises Randy for all he has done in his career but he had not right or reason to attack his sons like that. He says that he is becoming desperate because he knows Cody had him beat at Summerslam and Cody will beat him in the street fight at NoC. Randy Ortons music hits but instead of Randy, its his father, Cowboy Bob Orton. Cowboy gets a good pop from the crowd. He starts off by acknowledging Dusty's career, and his work in NXT, but the Rhodes family were never on the level of the Ortons. Dusty slaps Bob Orton across the face and looks set to put him in his place before Randy's music hits again and the Viper makes his way to the ring. He gets in Dusty's face trying to intimidate him, but Dusty wont back down. Orton decides enough is enough and hits Dusty with an RKO. Cody sprints out and attacks Orton. He sends him to the outside before hitting a Cross Rhodes rindside. He gets in the ring to confront Cowboy Bob who is in the ring shock at what he's seen. Cody corners him in the ring and he's seething. He calms down, points to Randy and tells Bob that he isnt like him, and he wont hit an old man. He tends to his Dad and helps him to the back. Cole notes that Orton crossed another line tonight but it cost him.

Raw - 1 week to NoC

Its announced that both Dusty and Cowboy Bob will be in their sons respective corners for the title match at NoC, and the contract will be signed tonight. At the signing, things predictably break down before a brawl starts. It takes the combined force of both Bob and Dusty, plus Triple H (who was overseeing proceedings) to break them up. The final RAW before the PPV signs off with both men having to be restrained from one another.

Night of Champions PPV

In an epic brawl that sprawls across the whole of the arena, we find the action back in the ring. Cody hits a Cross Rhodes on Orton and goes for a pin, but Cowboy Bob is distracting the ref. Dusty Rhodes pulls Bob off the apron and hits him with the Bionic Elbow to pop the crowd. As the referee tries to seperate the two fathers, Orton puts Cody down with a backbreaker. He goes to the outside and grabs a chair. Once back in the ring he takes a swing at Codys head, but Cody dodges, bounces off the ropes and hits the chair into Ortons face with the Disaster Kick. The crowd go wild as Cody pins Orton 1-2-3 and wins the WWE title. He celebrates incredibly with the fans before meeting his Dad in the ring. We see Goldust come down to the ring and all three Rhodes family members share a hug as confetti falls from the roof. The PPV signs off with Cody having both his arms raised with the titles by his father and brother.


So what do you guys think? Its a bit rushed but I think I did an OK job of managing to make Cody a believable contender and a sympathetic babyface. It all boils down to the in ring action, they would need to really sell the fact Cody had Orton beat at Summerslam.

I wrote a scenario to push Cody in this thread, but most of it is irrelevant because of the way things have panned out!

https://www.606v2.com/t53281-push

Thought this was good read. Liked the resolution of the Goldust feud. I would have put Cody over another credible heel, possibly Cesaro, before throwing him in the title mix as I think the fans might struggle to buy him as a contender so quickly.

I also would have put Orton over another face than Show, as I don't think anyone would want to see that feud again!

I knew there was a thread somewhere!

Yeah I knew it was a bit rushed, thats why I booked Orton to call it a fluke. Honestly I only picked the Big Show because he can easily fit into a one month program with Orton.

Thanks for the feedback. Means alot.