January 1, WWE Champion’s Heartbreaking Goodbye Has Nation in Tears

Wyatt’s Take

• WWE superstar Cody Rhodes lost his beloved husky Pharaoh — a loyal companion who traveled with him through championships, heartbreak, and the birth of his daughter
• The dog became a wrestling icon himself, walking the red carpet, getting his own action figure, and even ‘facing off’ against The Rock on WWE programming
• Rhodes’ tribute reveals what real American values look like — family, loyalty, and honoring those who stand by us through thick and thin

WWE champion Cody Rhodes announced Tuesday that his beloved husky, Pharaoh, has passed away. The announcement sent shockwaves through the wrestling community and beyond.

Rhodes shared a deeply personal tribute on social media, featuring photos spanning years of memories with Pharaoh alongside his wife Brandi and their children. The post revealed the profound bond between the champion and his four-legged companion.

“Huskies need a job. P howled at the moon,” Rhodes wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

The wrestling star described Pharaoh as a “crisis dog” — always there when things got tough. Rhodes recalled how the husky would press his nose under his arm during difficult times and sit with him under the Texas stars when his world felt upside down.

“He pressed his head against me firmly in a way that let me know he understood. It goes without saying, he was a good boy,” Rhodes wrote.

Pharaoh wasn’t just a pet — he became part of wrestling history. At the first All In convention, fans chanted the dog’s name as he walked through the hotel lobby like a superstar making an entrance. The hotel even created a special menu item called “Pharaoh’s Fries” in his honor.

“They snapped selfies and chanted his name like he was making an entrance on tv or something ha,” Rhodes recalled.

The husky went on to participate in charity events for animal shelters across America, became a Chewy champion, got his own Mattel action figure, and even appeared as “an opponent of the Rock” on WWE programming. Fans knew him as “The Siberian Nightmare.”

But Rhodes said Pharaoh’s true calling came when his daughter Liberty was born. Looking back through old photos, the champion noticed Pharaoh appeared in nearly every early picture of Liberty — always watching, always present, always protecting.

“His job was to be with her. Maybe he wanted to protect her. As I said, he needed a job,” Rhodes explained.

In his closing words, Rhodes referenced Game of Thrones — the show that inspired him to get “a little wolf pup” years ago. But instead of saying “your watch has ended,” he chose different words.

“I’d rather say the last thing I told you before you went to forever sleep, you did your job. We love you.”

Rhodes was regularly seen with Pharaoh on WWE programming before his matches over the years. The dog became as recognizable to wrestling fans as many human performers.

The wrestling world immediately rallied around Rhodes. The Miz, Nick Jackson, Jacy Jayne, Lillian Garcia, Ricky Saints, C.J. Perry, Fallon Henley, Renee Paquette and countless others flooded the comments with condolences and support for the Rhodes family.

Wyatt Matters

This story cuts through all the noise and reminds us what actually matters in life. A champion athlete taking time to honor a loyal companion — that’s the America we believe in. While the coastal elites obsess over politics and celebrity gossip, real Americans understand the bond between a man and his dog. Rhodes showed more character in this tribute than most politicians show in a lifetime. Family, loyalty, and gratitude — values that built this country and still hold it together.