Cody Rhodes is, arguably, the biggest name in Independent Wrestling today. He is 1/3 the brainchild of the ALL IN event this weekend; he is the son of Dusty Rhodes, and he is the next NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Here’s why.
Let me start by saying that Rhodes doesn’t need the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but the title and the NWA need him to hold that belt.
Famously, Rhodes is challenging Nick Aldis for the NWA Championship on Saturday and it is beginning to turn into the biggest independent feud on the map. Aldis has done an incredible job with holding the NWA Title. Aldis has been able to take the NWA title from almost nothing to being respected once again.
However, Aldis has taken the title as far as he can for now. I don’t doubt that the NWA title will find its way back to Aldis, but it’s time to let someone else to hold onto it. Rhodes is the man to beat Aldis.
Not only is this match happening in an event that Rhodes is throwing, but Rhodes will be making history to be the first person in NWA history to become a second generation NWA Champion. Giving Rhodes the title will help take the NWA to the next level.
The NWA is promoting a Nashville show coming up in October for their 70th anniversary. In order for that show to be able to draw a decent crowd and make even a 10th of the impact that ALL IN has done so far, Cody Rhodes needs to be defending the NWA World Championship against Nick Aldis.
With Rhodes walking into the NWA Anniversary show as champion, a few things will happen. The biggest thing is that Rhodes will be on nationally syndicated TV holding that NWA title week to week. That will give Rhodes a chance to discuss the NWA show in October while also giving them the opportunity to continue to build the Aldis/Rhodes feud into the show.
The other big thing that it does for the NWA is give them a big name holding their title. The NWA, so far, has had Tim Storm (a 50-year-old school teacher) and Nick Aldis (who was never able to make a big name for himself) hold that title since Billy Corgan took over the promotion. Having a Rhodes hold the title takes the NWA from a small blip on the independent map to the main attraction in indy wrestling.
Lastly, Rhodes will be able to defend that title in Japan, ROH, and wherever else his heart desires. I don’t think we would have seen Aldis on ROH TV if it werent for the fact that Rhodes was challenging for the NWA title. If Rhodes had been challenging for the ROH title at All In, Aldis would still be wrestling in small indy shows and the NWA would not really matter at this point.
You’re probably asking, “Why can’t Cody challenge for the title again at the NWA show in October?” It’s simple: No one will care for the rematch if Rhodes loses on Saturday. The only way people will care for a rematch is if Cody takes the title.
The NWA needs Cody Rhodes to be their next champion if the NWA wants to be a serious contender in independent wrestling. The NWA needs Cody Rhodes to survive.
