Cody Rhodes is mourning the loss of Pharaoh, his beloved Siberian Husky, who was part of his family for 13 years. The WWE Superstar announced Pharaoh’s passing on September 8, 2026, in an emotional Instagram post.
Pharaoh was 13 years old at the time of his death. “The American Nightmare” did not disclose a specific illness, medical condition, or official cause of death in his tribute. However, he had previously spoken about Pharaoh getting older and slowing down. In 2024, Cody retired the Husky from traveling to wrestling shows because of his age.
Rather than focusing on Pharaoh’s final days, Cody’s tribute looked back at the life they shared. He described Pharaoh as a “crisis dog,” explaining that the Husky always seemed to be there whenever his family was going through a difficult moment.
Cody Rhodes wrote about Pharaoh’s personality and the habits that made him special to the family:
“Huskies need a job. 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.”
Rhodes also remembered how Pharaoh stayed close to him following the death of his father, Dusty Rhodes.
“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.” Cody added, “He was part of the Rhodes’ wrestling family. “The Siberian Nightmare” ha. I’ve gotten off track though…I said huskies needed a job, and I don’t think Pharaoh ever truly knew his.”
The WWE star also recalled Pharaoh’s connection with his daughter, Liberty. According to Rhodes, the dog appeared to find a new purpose after she was born.
“That is until Liberty was born. I scrolled back through my old pictures and there he is with her…almost every early photo…he’s just peeking into frame, or right beside her, or sternly looking through the lens. His job was to be with her. Maybe he wanted to protect her.”
The WWE star finished his tribute by reflecting on Pharaoh’s life and the role he played in the family.
“I’d rather say the last thing I told you before you went to forever sleep, you did your job. We love you.”
What Did Randy Orton Say About Cody Rhodes’ Dog Pharaoh?
Pharaoh’s passing comes shortly after his name was repeatedly brought up during Cody Rhodes’ WWE feud with Randy Orton.
On the August 28 episode of SmackDown, Orton attempted to provoke Cody by bringing up his dog and questioning whether Pharaoh had died.
“What’s that dog’s name of yours? Pharaoh. You used to bring him in the back. Everybody would be so excited. Such a fluffy, cool dog. Did that dog die? Is that dog dead?”
At the time, Pharaoh was still alive. “The Viper” later referenced the subject again, telling Cody:
“I even talked about your dog, it turns out he’s not even dead. He’s got a little ways to go, you’ll be burying him soon.”
The comments were part of Orton’s attempt to get inside Cody’s head during their storyline. With Rhodes now confirming Pharaoh’s death, the remarks have taken on a different significance.
Pharaoh had also become familiar to wrestling fans over the years through appearances with Cody in AEW and WWE. He appeared alongside Rhodes at AEW All Out in 2019 and later featured on WWE programming. He even received WWE merchandise, including a plush figure.
By 2024, Cody had decided Pharaoh’s days of traveling to wrestling events were over because of his age. While he was no longer regularly seen on the road, Pharaoh remained an important part of Cody’s family and continued to appear in his personal posts.
Cody’s final tribute made clear that Pharaoh’s importance went far beyond his connection to professional wrestling. For Rhodes, he was a longtime companion who remained by his side through some of the most important moments of his life.
We at Athlon Sports extend our heartfelt condolences to Cody Rhodes and his family on the loss of Pharaoh.
