Derek Sampson (Rhodes) squaring off with Green Arrow. Photo/CBR.com
Last Wednesday’s Arrow was one both followers of the show and wrestling fans had been waiting on since it was announced after Stephen Amell’s appearance in WWE at least year’s Summerslam. The episode co-starred one of Amell’s opponents that night, Cody Rhodes, aka Stardust, and aired mere months after Rhodes suddenly — and very publicly — left the company.
Rhodes plays Derek Sampson, a drug pusher who wakes up in the morgue with enhanced abilities and unable to feel any pain. More than a match for Green Arrow, Sampson aims to take him out and free the streets of Tobias Church, making room for his product (also called Stardust).
As passionate as fan bases of wrestling, comics, and Arrow, that there were going to be sly winks at the audience is not surprising. Scenes shared between Amell and Cody were bound to conjure up mental impressions of their clash two summers ago. They possess chemistry as rivals in both cases but the contentious nature exists only on TV.
It would be no shock to see Cody come back for another appearance, even if this is a one-time deal brought about because of Amell’s time on WWE TV — sort of a quid pro quo (“I did your show, you do mine”). He is an appealing bad guy who could carry his own season or at least part of one.
But they would be better off erring on the side of caution and waiting until next year. There is already a full plate this season with Ollie’s term as Mayor, the Green Arrow’s ever growing new team, Tobias Church, and plans for Prometheus.
WWE won’t push him? Fine. His destiny is written in the stars. Photo/Wikipedia
Back to Cody, his role in Arrow is not only a testament to how hot a name-bringing show it is but also to the growing star power of a legend’s son. Cody is the son of Dusty Rhodes and the passing of his father is one of the catalysts that drove him to take more control of his career. He is proving he doesn’t need WWE and that he has the talent to cross over into other platforms.
Here’s to the prospect of Cody returning for another round of Arrow, and maybe becoming as big as John Cena, Batista, or Dwayne Johnson. Appearing as he is on the CW, TNA IMPACT, and later this year in Ring of Honor, he is certainly making progress.
