WWE Elite Cody Rhodes Action Figure Review: Worth the Hype?

Wrestling Fans, We Need to Talk About Cody Rhodes

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of hearing that opening pyro and screaming "WOAH" along with fifty thousand other fans. Ever since Cody Rhodes returned to WWE to "finish the story" at WrestleMania, the hype train has been running at full steam. Naturally, Mattel has been cranking out figures to keep up with the demand. But does the WWE Elite Collection Cody Rhodes figure live up to the main-event status of the American Nightmare, or is it just a midcard gimmick?

Mattel WWE Elite Collection Cody Rhodes: The Honest Breakdown

Retailing at around $22.99, this 6-inch figure sits right in the sweet spot for most collectors. The first thing you'll notice out of the box is the TrueFX face scan. Mattel nailed the likeness here—complete with the bleached blonde hair and, yes, the infamous neck tattoo. The tattoo is scaled down surprisingly well without looking like a smudged piece of dirt, which is a major win because we all know how easy it is to mess up that design.

When it comes to articulation, you get over 25 points of movement. If you want to pose Cody hitting a Cody Cutter or setting up the Cross Rhodes on an unfortunate heel, you have the flexibility to do it. However, let's get into some real talk: the joints straight out of the box are stiffer than a prime Goldberg spear. If you try to force the shoulders or knees right away, you might hear a squeak that will make your heart skip a beat. Many collectors on Reddit recommend a quick warm water bath or a blast from a hairdryer to loosen the plastic before you start posing him.

As for accessories, Mattel includes interchangeable hands (including mic-holding hands and fists) and his detailed entrance robe. This is where we run into the biggest gripe. The robe material is incredibly stiff. Posing Cody with the robe on makes him look like he's wearing cardboard armor rather than premium entrance gear. Most fans end up stripping the robe off and leaving it in a parts bin, choosing to display him in his clean white and gold tights instead.

Who is this best for?

This figure is perfect for display-focused fans and toy photographers who want a highly detailed Cody Rhodes without shelling out $35+ for the harder-to-find Ultimate Edition. It's durable enough for some light play, but the stiff joints and small interchangeable hands mean it's geared more toward older fans than kids who just want to smash figures together.

Comparison Summary: Elite vs. The Field

If you're trying to decide where to spend your hard-earned cash, here's how the Elite stacks up. Mattel's basic series Cody is cheaper but has virtually no articulation and lacks the cool entrance gear—it's essentially a glorified statue. On the other end, the Ultimate Edition Cody offers double-jointed elbows and a soft-goods fabric coat, but it costs nearly double and is a nightmare to find at retail. The Elite Collection hits the perfect middle ground: you get the premium face scan and great articulation at a reasonable price, even if you have to deal with a stiff plastic robe.