Cody Rhodes seemed to have it all going for him, the looks, the lineage, the in-ring ability, bags of charisma. That was until a 619 complete with knee-brace shattered not only his 'dashing' good looks but his confidence and hopes of main-eventing WrestleMania XXVII.
At least that's what the formerly 'Dashing' one would have the fans believe.
Rey Mysterio Breaks Cody Rhodes Face on Smackdown
The particular incident Cody Rhodes has continually referred to in the build up to WrestleMania actually took place way back on the 21st January edition of Smackdown.
After a hard fought match Rey Mysterio managed to hit a 619 followed up with a Splash from the top rope to score the three-count fall.
However, at the time Mysterio had been wearing a (perfectly legal and sanctioned) knee-brace due to a niggling injury and it was the metal supports that dealt the real damage to Cody's handsome face.
Immediately after the match Rhodes seemed distraught, clutching his face and hurrying out of the arena, but this had become par for the course during his matches, with the former Legacy member often becoming enraged and frustrated by the merest of taps to his 'money-maker'.
Cody Rhodes has Surgery
For weeks Cody Rhodes shunned being in the limelight, only briefly appearing to speak to Todd Grisham on the 600th Smackdown Special on the 18th February to talk about how his dreams of appearing at WrestleMania had been dashed, while never actually showing his supposedly mangled face.
He also revealed that he'd been cleared to travel and would be at the following week's Smackdown show to make an announcement.
Dusty Rhodes Double-Crosses Mysterio
The following week, after defeating Kane for the umpteenth time in his career, Rey Mysterio would be confronted by Cody's father and long time friend; Dusty Rhodes.
The American Dream came to the ring full of sincerity, telling Rey that he had been embarrassed by his son's actions of late and wanted him to apologise.
Cody Rhodes finally faced the cameras after being ordered to come to the ring by his father. Wearing a clear plastic face-guard he walked to the ring in a shameful manner, clearly lacking the confidence he used to display.
Once in the ring Rhodes apologised to Mysterio, admitting he shouldn't have been so bitter about what was essentially an accident.
However, things quickly turned ugly for The Ultimate Underdog as after shaking hands with both of the Rhodes' Dusty refused to relinquish his grip, allowing Cody to strike from behind and deliver a brutal beating, culminating in an unmasking.
Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio's WrestleMania Build-Up
In the weeks that followed Cody challenged Rey to a match at WrestleMania and threatened to unmask him in front of the world, just as he had done at the top of the Smackdown ramp.
Mysterio accepted the challenge and vowed to keep wearing his mask with pride.
The match was thrown into question just a week before WrestleMania however, as during a match that pitted Rey Mysterio against the Sadistic Scot Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes hit ringside and attacked his rival, before driving a braced knee into Mysterio's head, leaving him down, out and requiring medical attention.
What to Expect from Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania XXVII
Cody and Rey have only ever met in the ring a handful of times, and never with such intensity or as much on the line.
Cody's record against Mysterio isn't the best but Rey Mysterio's record with WrestleMania events is even worse despite getting the win against C.M Punk last year.
After delivering such a brutal beating just a week before Mania Rhodes is likely to have the upper hand for a lot of the match, but rumours are rife that this will be Mysterio's last Mania match, so it really could swing either way.
Prediction:
If this is indeed the last match at WrestleMania for Rey Mysterio he's almost guaranteed to go out on a win.
That said, the WWE have pulled the old 'unmasking' angle so many times without it happening that this could finally be 'the one'.
The best outcome for both men would be a win for Mysterio and an unmasking after the bell for Rhodes.
Also watch out for the distinct possibility of a Sin Cara début in this match, depending on what heel/face status they are planning on giving him.
Find out more about WrestleMania XXVII including Live Results!
Jay Davies - Jay Davies is a 25 year old graduate of the University of Lincoln's School of Journalism, currently residing in South Yorkshire, ...
