List This!: “WWE Legends of the Fall”

As autumn comes into full swing, WWE.com showcases the “fall” from grace of 10 elite WWE Superstars, in “List This!: WWE Legends of the Fall” - powered by Kmart.

This comprehensive feature shines a light on those infamous moments in time when WWE ring warriors carved a new path of greatness by forgoing a place of high esteem – in the eyes of their superiors, their country and the WWE Universe as a whole – choosing instead to embrace a more aggressive, egocentric personality for their own advantage.

No. 10: Cody Rhodes goes from “dashing” to disfigured

They say that beauty is only skin-deep, but for Cody Rhodes, ugliness runs a whole lot deeper. After a clash with Rey Mysterio in early 2011 resulted in a broken nose for the formerly “dashing” competitor, Rhodes hid his marred visage beneath a protective mask. Simultaneously hurling the twisted and bitter ring warrior to new heights and deplorable lows, this physical and psychological transformation earns Rhodes the No. 10 spot on WWE.com’s “List This!: WWE Legends of the Fall.”

We all remember “Dashing” Cody Rhodes’ sickening and demeaning grooming tips, meant to instruct male WWE Universe members on how to brush their teeth, trim their nose hairs and – ugh – shave their legs. Sporting a mirrored jacket to the ring and rivaling even “The Narcissist” Lex Luger in terms of sheer self-love, Rhodes inspired deafening boos each and every week on SmackDown. The multi-generational Superstar’s condescending behavior made it a challenge to feel even a pang of sympathy when Rey Mysterio’s knee brace inadvertently struck the egotist in the nose during a match in January 2011 – requiring him to undergo facial reconstructive surgery. Rhodes, it seemed, would be “dashing” no more.

When Rhodes finally returned to action weeks later, he claimed his newly adopted protective mask would shield his face from further punishment by opponents. There would be no more grooming tips for the WWE Universe. However, the bitter Superstar would quickly find another way to correct what he deemed as cosmetic and moral imperfections: His infamous paper bags. Wherever he went, Rhodes would see fit to “go to great expense to provide these paper bags” to anyone that crossed his path – including both opponents and fans – in an effort to veil their apparent ugliness from the world.

However, Rhodes’ metamorphosis extended far beyond a newfound fascination with doling out offensive paper goods. No longer obsessed with his looks, the dark and brooding Superstar displayed newfound aggression in the ring, oftentimes going so far as to use his mask to daze opponents with devastating headbutts. Rhodes renewed focus on inflicting pain helped him exact revenge on Mysterio in grand fashion at WrestleMania XXVII, and eventually enabled him to ensnare the prestigious Intercontinental Championship from Ezekiel Jackson.

Whether humiliating the WWE Universe or his opponents, Rhodes proved after his unfortunate accident that his brutality knew no bounds. Since the transformation of his scarred psyche took hold, there is no challenge that he hasn’t overcome – or a face he hasn’t been able to “bag.” But here’s the real question: Whatever happened to his “dashing” jacket? We’ve got dibs.