WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes has announced the passing of his beloved dog, Pharaoh.
Pharaoh was far more than a pet to Rhodes and his family. The husky became a recognizable presence to wrestling fans over the years, appearing alongside Rhodes in multiple chapters of his career, including on WWE Raw and at AEW-related events. He was featured in merchandise, appeared on Rhodes’ tour bus artwork, participated in charitable meet-and-greets, and was embraced by fans as an unofficial member of the Rhodes wrestling family.
In a deeply personal social-media tribute, Rhodes reflected on Pharaoh’s personality, the role he played in the family, and the many memories that connected him to both Rhodes’ private life and public career.
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“Huskies need a job,” Rhodes wrote. “P howled at the moon. When we thought he would be afraid of the older dogs we had, but instead ran into the living room and belly flopd’ on them. He patrolled the pool. He always tore up a plant when a stranger came into the backyard to let them know – ‘I’m crazy’ – and don’t come closer.”
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Rhodes described Pharaoh as a dog with a powerful personality and an instinct to remain close during difficult moments. He noted that Pharaoh received extensive training and retained much of it, though Rhodes affectionately characterized him as “a crisis dog” because of the way he appeared when he was needed most.
“Whenever there was a crisis, there he was,” Rhodes wrote. “He put his nose under my arm in the truck…everytime. He was always with us, and when my world got turned upside down [when Dusty Rhodes passed away]…he sat outside with me looking at the Texas stars until the sky started to shift and he pressed his head against me firmly in a way that let me know he understood.”
The memory underscores just how significant Pharaoh was in Rhodes’ life. The passing of Dusty Rhodes in 2015 was one of the most difficult periods faced by the current WWE star and his family. In his tribute, Cody recalled Pharaoh’s silent companionship during that time, describing a moment beneath the Texas night sky when the dog’s presence provided a measure of comfort.
For fans, Pharaoh’s profile grew along with Rhodes’ evolving wrestling career. He was seen during the period in which Rhodes was forging a path outside WWE, becoming one of the most visible independent stars in the industry and later helping launch AEW. Pharaoh’s appearances made him a familiar and warmly received figure among supporters who followed Rhodes from company to company.
One particularly meaningful memory for Rhodes came during the first All In weekend and the inaugural Starrcast convention in Schaumburg. He recalled arriving with Pharaoh at the Hyatt and seeing a lobby packed with wrestling fans. Rather than being overwhelmed by the crowd, Pharaoh became part of the experience.
“We walked by the lobby bar and they had a special menu posted with ‘Pharaoh’s fries’; but the thing I remember most is how the fans kinda’ parted the sea for him as he walked through,” Rhodes wrote. “They snapped selfies and chanted his name like he was making an entrance on tv or something ha.”
That recollection speaks to the unusual connection Pharaoh developed with wrestling audiences. While mascots and pets have occasionally been incorporated into wrestling personalities through the years, Pharaoh was not simply a prop or a one-time television novelty. He was part of Rhodes’ everyday life, and fans responded to the genuine affection Rhodes and his family had for him.
His reach extended beyond event appearances. Rhodes noted that Pharaoh took part in multiple charity meet-and-greets benefiting shelters, and that he served as a Chewy champion. Pharaoh also received his own Mattel figure and merchandise, achievements that made him an especially distinctive companion within modern wrestling culture.
Pharaoh’s place in WWE storytelling was acknowledged as well. During separate programs involving Cody Rhodes, both Randy Orton and The Rock mentioned Pharaoh. The Rock also became part of one of Pharaoh’s more memorable wrestling-adjacent distinctions, with Rhodes humorously listing him as an “Opponent of the Rock” in his farewell message.
Rhodes also referenced Yeti, noting that Pharaoh showed his confidence by calmly allowing Yeti to bite at his face. It was another small but revealing detail from a tribute built around the dog’s mannerisms, loyalty, and presence in the family home.
“He was part of the Rhodes’ wrestling family. ‘The Siberian Nightmare’ ha,” Rhodes wrote.
While Pharaoh’s connection to wrestling made him recognizable, the heart of Rhodes’ message centered on family. The WWE star explained that Pharaoh’s purpose became especially clear following the birth of his daughter, Liberty. Looking back through older photographs, Rhodes found Pharaoh present in many of the early images with her, whether peering into the frame, standing beside her, or staring directly toward the camera.
“His job was to be with her. Maybe he wanted to protect her. As I said, he needed a job,” Rhodes wrote.
That protective role became the defining theme of Rhodes’ goodbye. In a message that balanced humor, grief, and gratitude, he referenced the familiar language of Game of Thrones. Rhodes noted that the family had once watched the series and decided they wanted “a little wolf pup,” an origin that made a farewell line about a watch ending seem fitting. But Rhodes chose a more personal final message for Pharaoh.
“I’d rather say the last thing I told you before you went to forever sleep, you did your job. We love you,” Rhodes wrote.
Pharaoh’s death is a painful loss for the Rhodes family. His life overlapped with major personal and professional milestones for Cody Rhodes, from the grief that followed Dusty Rhodes’ passing to the independent wrestling boom, the launch of AEW, Rhodes’ return to WWE, and the growth of his own family.
For viewers who encountered Pharaoh through wrestling, he represented a rare kind of continuity. As Rhodes’ career changed directions and reached increasingly larger stages, Pharaoh remained a constant presence. Whether he was walking into a convention lobby to chants from fans, appearing around wrestling programming, supporting charitable causes, or simply being nearby at home, he was clearly cherished.
Rhodes’ tribute makes clear that Pharaoh was loved not because of the attention he received, but because of the comfort, protection, and companionship he gave the people around him. To Cody Rhodes, he was a good boy, a best man, and a loyal member of the family who completed the job he was meant to do.
We extend condolences to Cody Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, Liberty, and the entire Rhodes family as they mourn Pharaoh.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.