WWE Champion Cody Rhodes Mourns Death of His Dog Pharaoh in Emotional Tribute

WWE star Cody Rhodes announced Tuesday that his dog, Pharaoh, has died. Rhodes shared the news in a lengthy Instagram post accompanied by photos of himself, his wife Brandi and their children with the dog over the years.

In his post, Rhodes described Pharaoh as a husky with a strong personality who took on an unofficial guard-dog role for the family, patrolling the pool and tearing up plants to warn off strangers. “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,” Rhodes wrote. “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.”

Rhodes recalled a moment during a difficult stretch in his life when he sat outside with Pharaoh in Texas. “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,” he wrote.

Pharaoh had become something of a fixture in the wrestling world, having appeared with Rhodes at WWE events and fan conventions. Rhodes recounted bringing the dog to the first Starrcast convention in Schaumburg, Illinois, where the hotel lobby bar posted a special “Pharaoh’s fries” menu and fans stepped aside to greet the dog like he was making a televised entrance. Pharaoh also took part in charity meet-and-greets for animal shelters, according to Rhodes.

Rhodes said Pharaoh found his true purpose after the birth of his daughter, Liberty. “His job was to be with her. Maybe he wanted to protect her,” he wrote. He closed the tribute by telling Pharaoh, “you did your job. We love you.”

Rhodes, who has often appeared with Pharaoh on WWE programming before his matches, received an outpouring of support in the comments of his post. Wrestlers and personalities including The Miz, Nick Jackson, Jacy Jayne, Lillian Garcia, Ricky Saints, C.J. Perry, Fallon Henley and Renee Paquette sent condolences to Rhodes and his family.