Throwback: When Cody Rhodes and Goldust Had to Fight to Get Their WWE Jobs Back

In 2013, Cody Rhodes and Goldust emerged as two of the biggest babyfaces in WWE. This was because of an excellent angle the brothers had with the Authority. Both Cody and Goldust were on the unemployment list in mid 2013, courtesy of the Viper. However, both men fought their way back into the company, and this is how they did it.

Cody Rhodes faces the Viper

On September 2nd, 2013, a young and brash Cody Rhodes crossed the wrong people. The former Intercontinental Champion passed a comment about Randy Orton‘s fear of facing Daniel Bryan. He declared that Orton vs Bryan would be best for business, which angered the adjacent Triple H.

This led to Hunter booking Orton vs Cody Rhodes for the show, which Cody’s job on the line. Triple H noted how Cody’s wedding was nearing, but the stipulation ruined Cody’s night. Triple H wished him luck, as the young Cody knew he messed up.

Cody and Orton put on one of the finest Raw matches of all time, full on close calls and heart-stopping moments. Cody picked up nearfalls with the Disaster Kick and the Cross Rhodes but was no match for the RKO. Despite the amazing performance, the Authority fired Cody.

Goldust tries to avenge his brother’s firing

The Bizarre One had not wrestled for WWE in a really long time, but returned to face Randy Orton on September 9th, 2013. Before the match, Renee Young interviewed Goldust but was interrupted by Triple H. The Game informed Goldust that if he too lost to Orton, he would also find himself without a job.

Randy Orton looked to pick up his second big win in a row and headed into the match full of confidence. The Viper might’ve taken Goldust too lightly, as the legend took the fight to the WWE Champion. He kept fighting his way back into the match and desperately tried to stop Orton from working his usual slow, methodical pace.

Goldust picked up a very close nearfall off a Cross Rhodes, which was an homage to his brother. He rolled up Orton from behind and almost put him away but was felled by a final deadly RKO. And just like that, both the Rhodes brothers were out of jobs.

Cody Rhodes and Goldust fight to regain their jobs

Two weeks after being fired, Cody and Goldust jumped the barricade and attacked the Shield, the Authority’s henchmen. It was a wild brawl that required security guards to keep the Rhodes brothers at bay. It incensed the Authority at what took place and made an offer to the brothers to get their jobs back.

At Battleground 2013, the Rhodes Brothers faced off against the WWE Tag Team Champions Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. The teams fought in an epic back-and-forth battle, which saw the American Dream Dusty Rhodes pull out the Bionic Elbow and smash Dean Ambrose with it.

After a breathless fourteen minutes of action, Cody Rhodes hit Seth Rollins with a tremendous Cross Rhodes to win the match and get reinstated into the company.