PWI Weekly for June 2, 2025
Holding Out For A Hero: Cody Rhodes, Willow Nightingale, And More
WHEN BONNIE TYLER asked “Where have all the good men gone?” in her 1980s hit song “Holding Out For A Hero,” it was clear she wasn’t a wrestling fan. That’s because back in Bonnie’s heyday, fans knew a plethora of worthy heroes who regularly graced the squared circle. Today, the role of the traditional “good guy” is much different than it was 40 years ago.
Fear not, however. Because even in today’s landscape, with its abundant shades of gray, many grapplers still don the proverbial white hat—even if it means they aren’t always loved by everyone. In this edition of the PWI Weekly, we are letting the heroes take center stage. If you, like Ms. Tyler, are holding out for a hero, you might just find one here.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
During his tenure in All Elite Wrestling, Cody Rhodes drew more than his share of jeers from the fanbase, particularly near the end of his time there. Many AEW supporters felt that the old-fashioned hero archetype Rhodes portrayed was somewhat dated in the cutting-edge, progressive promotion. The problem, however, was that it wasn’t a portrayal. That classic archetype? It’s who Cody Rhodes really was. And “The American Nightmare” made it clear he wasn’t going to change.
When Rhodes returned to WWE in 2022, he was a different beast from the one who had left there years prior. He was still the same Cody Rhodes he had been in AEW, though. As he began his march toward “finishing the story,” many analysts (including some PWI staff) feared the audience might start to turn on him like they had in AEW. Could a traditional “good guy” become “the guy” in modern WWE? The answer was a resounding yes. No one turned on Rhodes. Instead, fans bought into his genuine motivations and vulnerabilities. Perhaps because they mirrored many of our own. When Rhodes finally did finish his story and became WWE champion at WrestleMania 40, those fans were rewarded for believing in their hero.
After taking a sabbatical following his loss to John Cena at WrestleMania 41, Rhodes made his triumphant return at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24. There, he received a hero’s welcome from the crowd in Tampa. And rightfully so … Florida is Rhodes country after all.
But the connection that “The American Nightmare” has with his fans goes beyond just being the son of “The American Dream.” For as beloved as Dusty Rhodes was, his heir is giving a whole new generation someone they can believe in.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT …
If there is anyone more likable in AEW than Willow Nightingale, then we haven’t found them. The affable Long Island, New Yorker has generally been a beacon of positivity throughout her whole career. With her ready smile and upbeat personality, even notoriously grumpy PWI staffers like Matt Brock can’t help but be fans.
In the ring, Nightingale has a hard-hitting style that captivates crowds, but it is her resilience and underdog spirit that really gains her admiration. A participant in the recent Anarchy in the Arena match at Double Or Nothing, Nightingale brawled and bled with the best of the boys. In the end, she played an integral role in her team’s feel-good victory.
Whether it’s inspiring young women, people of color, or indeed anyone who just loves to root for a good person, Willow Nightingale is a hero worth celebrating.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
Not all witches are wicked! We happen to know a lovely one.
“The Good Witch” Kaia McKenna poses with a copy of PWI’s May 2025 issue (featuring Mina Shirakawa on the cover) during WrestleMania Week in Las Vegas. In addition to her wrestling efforts—which include recent reigns as Women’s champion of the Invictus Pro and WrestleMAX promotions—McKenna serves as cohost of the Pro Wrestling INDIEstrated podcast.
TERRITORIAL DISSINGS
While never considered one of wrestling’s best talkers, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is almost always mentioned when critics talk about the sport’s “good guys.” As one of the few wrestlers who never strayed from being a fan favorite, Steamboat was always quick to take aim against the top villains of the day … especially Ric Flair.
In this vintage interview from 1989, the calm and collected Steamboat offers the opinion that all of the “Nature Boy’s” bluster belies an insecure man.