For years, Pharaoh was more than just a pet to Cody Rhodes; he was a beloved member of the Rhodes family and a familiar face in the professional wrestling world. On Tuesday, the WWE star announced the passing of his faithful companion, sharing that the husky had gone to “forever sleep.”
Pharaoh’s Public Life Alongside “The American Nightmare”
Pharaoh, a furry white husky, made several notable public appearances during Rhodes’ career. Fans first saw him during Rhodes’ match entrance at AEW All Out in 2019. Following Rhodes’ return to WWE in 2022, the dog appeared again in a backstage segment on Monday Night Raw. His popularity even led to an official Mattel action figure, and he once served as an unofficial opponent to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
A Heartfelt Tribute on Instagram
Rhodes penned a moving tribute on Instagram, detailing Pharaoh’s unique personality and the deep bond they shared. He preserved the full text of his post:
“Huskies need a job,” Rhodes wrote on Instagram. “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. He got the best training and retained most of it-I’d call him a crisis dog. Whenever there was a crisis, there he was. He put his nose under my arm in the truck…everytime. He was always with us, and when my world got turned upside down…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. It goes without saying, he was a good boy. My best man.”
Memories from Starrcast and Family Life
Rhodes also recalled a cherished memory from the 2018 Starrcast convention, where fans respectfully stepped aside and cheered as Pharaoh walked through the venue. However, the former Undisputed WWE Champion emphasized that Pharaoh’s most important role was at home. According to Rhodes, the dog’s true job was being present for—and perhaps protecting—his first daughter, Liberty.
The tribute concluded with a simple, powerful message: “We love you,” Rhodes added.
Cherished Final Moments
The Instagram post included a series of cherished family photos. The final image, filtered in black-and-white, shows Rhodes petting a happy Pharaoh while the Undisputed WWE Championship sits nearby—a poignant snapshot of the wrestler’s two worlds colliding.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Sep 8, 2026.
