Cody Rhodes has shared the story behind the tattoo that sparked much conversation when he first revealed it: his now-iconic neck tattoo of the “American Nightmare” logo.
In a bid to reinvent himself after leaving WWE, Rhodes, previously known as Stardust, sought to craft a new identity that would stand apart from his past. Embracing a complete image overhaul, he adopted a new look featuring bleach-blond hair, sharp suits, and, most notably, a bold new logo representing his rebrand as “The American Nightmare.” This logo quickly became synonymous with his career, but it didn’t stop there—Rhodes took the step of permanently marking his body with the design.
While tattoos are common in the wrestling world, especially as a means of branding, the choice to have the logo inked on his neck raised eyebrows when Rhodes unveiled it in 2020. Not all of the reactions were positive, with some fans and critics questioning the decision.
In a recent appearance on the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast, Rhodes revealed the true inspiration behind the tattoo, along with his original plans for its placement.
The Thought Process Behind the Tattoo
Rhodes explained that the tattoo was never meant to be a statement about art or aesthetics, but rather a deliberate decision in his quest to establish his own brand while stepping away from WWE. “I was tired of wearing other people’s logos,” he said. “I hated walking into stores and seeing The Rock’s logo everywhere. I wanted to make my own thing. I wanted to be bold, to go all in on creating my own identity.”
At first, Rhodes considered placing the tattoo on his chest, but that idea was quickly abandoned after seeing the tattoos of other marquee stars like Conor McGregor and The Rock. McGregor’s lion tattoo and The Rock’s iconic Brahma Bull on his chest made Rhodes reconsider the placement. Similarly, Goldberg’s barbed wire tattoo on his arm further discouraged him from choosing the upper arm. “Hmm, I’ll do the neck,” Rhodes decided.
The Tattoo That Was “Too Big”
Initially, Rhodes was presented with a smaller version of the design by his tattoo artist. “It was smaller, and I thought that’s perfect. It’ll peek right over the collar of my suits,” he recalled. However, Rhodes admitted that he was not completely comfortable with the idea, as his artist continued to give him an opportunity to reconsider. “He kept giving me an out,” Rhodes said. “I kept gritting my teeth and insisted I was good to go.”
After the tattoo was finished, Rhodes immediately noticed it was larger than he had envisioned. “I didn’t say anything in the moment, but it was like the kid on Christmas who’s unhappy. It’s not the right Power Ranger, basically.” Despite his initial disappointment, Rhodes didn’t make a fuss, thanking his artist before leaving.
The next day, he had a signing event, where he wrapped the tattoo in a scarf to hide it, but it was already clear to fans and colleagues that something was different. Rhodes recounted a particularly memorable moment with legendary announcer Jim Ross, who initially thought the tattoo was fake. “He couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t fathom this giant thing now existed,” Rhodes said.
Looking Back, Was It Worth It?
Despite the early doubts and the reactions from both fans and colleagues, Rhodes has no regrets about his decision. “In the long run, I guess it was really worth it,” he said. His tattoo, now a defining part of his brand, has become an inseparable aspect of his identity both inside and outside the ring.
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