Cody Rhodes was cleared to wrestle at WWE Hell in a Cell and seeing how bad his injury looked, it left many wondering why.
Fans knew something was off when Rhodes didn’t compete against Seth Rollins in a scheduled match at a house show just one night before HIAC. WWE announced to the crowd that Cody suffered an injury and he was replaced by Drew McIntyre.
After the match, Cody ran Seth off leaving many to wonder if the injury was a work.
As it turns out, the injury was very real as it was reported he had suffered a torn pectoral muscle while training. At the time, it wasn’t known if he had suffered a full tear or a partial tear.
News on Cody Rhodes Being Cleared
WWE announced on its Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show that Cody Rhodes tore his tendon completely off the bone. The company claimed at first he suffered a partial tear due to his brawl with Seth on the May 30 episode of Raw.
The company then noted Cody suffered a complete tear during a training session.
WrestlingNews.co is reporting that the reason why Cody was cleared to wrestle is that a completely torn pectoral muscle can’t get any worse. The report notes that had Cody only had a partial tear, he likely wouldn’t have been allowed to compete.
The report also mentions that WWE gave Cody the option to sit this one out but he insisted on performing.
Cody Rhodes put out one of the greatest performances of his wrestling career at Hell In A Cell. The wrestling world is touting The American Nightmare for the resilience he showed during the show.
After it was revealed that the former Intercontinental champion has torn his pec, many fans believed that the main event of tonight’s show will be called off.
However, Cody Rhodes had other plans. The 36-year-old not only delivered the performance of a lifetime on the show with the gruesome injury, but he also managed to win his match against Seth Rollins.
The wrestling world has been reacting to this incredible performance ever since and people from different companies have come together to tout the wrestling veteran.
Former WWE and Impact Wrestling star Brian Myers tagged Cody Rhodes in a tweet. He touted the WWE star for his performance calling him an ‘absolute warrior’:
Other names who reacted to the news include people such as Renee Paquette, Big Swole, Jordynne Grace, Carmelo Hayes, and many more. You can check out the top reactions below:
Nothing but absolute respect to @CodyRhodes. Dude lives and breathes professional wrestling, is willing to give 100% every single night. Tonight was something special only those who truly love this business will understand.
Cody Rhodes not only won his Hell In A Cell match but he earned the respect of everyone watching. According to his wife Brandi Rhodes, this performance is evidence that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.
The former WWE star took on her Twitter after the PPV went off air. She said that she would use this performance from her husband as an example and inspiration for their daughter Liberty:
“Liberty better not ever tell me “I can’t”. I’m gonna have this match cued up faster than she can finish her sentence. Never imagined he would be able to finish that match…and win.”
Liberty better not ever tell me "I can't". I'm gonna have this match cued up faster than she can finish her sentence.
Never imagined he would be able to finish that match…and win.
WWE announced earlier today that Cody Rhodes had suffered an injury. It was later reported that he tore his pec while training in the gym.
Many expected the company to call off the Hell In A Cell match between him and Seth Rollins on account of the injury but the American Nightmare decided otherwise.
Not only did Cody come out to perform with a graphic-looking injury but he competed in a gruesome Hell In A Cell match and won.
The debate about whether or not the officials should have allowed him to compete in such a condition is hot among fans. There is no denying that this outing has cemented Rhodes as one of the toughest wrestlers of the current generation.
WWE Hell in a Cell has wrapped up and fans got to see one-half of the main event give a passionate speech.
The premium live event took place inside Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois on June 5. In the main event, Cody Rhodes took on Seth Rollins inside the Hell in a Cell structure.
There was a lot of chatter going into this match and it had to do with Cody Rhodes’ injury. One night before the event, it was announced at a live show that “The American Nightmare” was injured.
Reports surfaced revealing that Cody suffered a pectoral tear but the severity of the injury wasn’t known. WWE ended up announcing that Rhodes tore the tendon completely off the bone.
Cody Rhodes Addresses Crowd
Cody Rhodes gutted out the injury and wrestled as advertised. His right pectoral muscle looked gruesome but his performance remained on point.
He pinned Rollins after delivering two straight Cross Rhodes’ followed by a sledgehammer shot.
Twitter user Sawyer Carr was in attendance and he captured footage of Cody addressing the crowd once the cameras stopped rolling.
The third and final match in the feud between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rolins ended with them meeting inside the Hell in a Cell Structure at the themed event.
As previously reported, Rhodes entered the match with a torn pec that he suffered while lifting weights. He’s expected to be sidelined anywhere from six months to a year once getting surgery.
The match was saved for the main event. Despite the injury looking nasty, Cody pushed through the pain and that was the story of the match. Rollins wore polka dots tights, a mental edge as Dusty Rhodes wore them during his WWE run. Rollins missed a frog splash off the top rope through a table.
Cody pulled out a bullrope and they tied it to their wrists. Cody with a superkick then hit him with the bell for 2. Cody with the crossrhodes for 2. Rollins powerbombed him in the corner through a table. Cody hit the pedigree for a near fall. Rollins with the crossrhodes, but then Cody hit one of his own. The finish saw Cody hit two crossrhodes then hit him in the face with the sledgehammer.
On the May 16th edition of Raw, Rhodes issued the challenge to Rollins as a response to Rollins attacking Rhodes during his United States title match with Theory on the previous week’s episode of Raw. Once Rhodes made the challenge Rollins started laughing at him before accepting it.
Rhodes made his return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April where he beat Rollins and then won the rematch at WrestleMania Backlash on May 8.
WWE has given an update on the injury Cody Rhodes has suffered.
Rhodes is expected to go one-on-one with Seth Rollins at the Hell in a Cell premium live event on June 5. Just one night before the event, WWE announced during a house show that Cody suffered an injury.
This blew up plans to have him face Rollins in their final live event match before HIAC. Cody did end up appearing at the house show to chase Rollins off.
It was later reported that the injury wasn’t a work and that Cody potentially suffered a torn pectoral, although the extent of the tear hadn’t been known.
Cody Rhodes Update
Cody Rhodes
During the WWE Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show, Kayla Braxton revealed that Cody first suffered the injury during his brawl with Seth Rollins on the May 30 episode of Monday Night Raw.
She then said Cody aggravated the injury during training.
Braxton then announced that Cody tore his tendon “off the bone.” Despite the injury, Rhodes will still meet Rollins inside Hell in a Cell.
It’s been said that WWE has spent all day making changes to the Rhodes vs. Seth match.
WWE has once again been forced to pivot on the fly.
Hell in a Cell will take place tonight inside Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The card will feature seven matches including a Raw Women’s Title match between champion Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Becky Lynch.
There will also be a mixed six-person tag team match featuring AJ Styles, Finn Balor, and Liv Morgan taking on The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest, and Rhea Ripley).
WWE Alters Plans
There are other matches on the card but none are bigger than the HIAC match between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
While WWE had plans laid out for the match, officials have needed to make changes. That’s because word broke that Cody may have suffered a torn pectoral while training for the match.
WrestleVotes reports that WWE has been making changes to the match all day.
Unfortunately, the Cody Rhodes injury news going around is accurate. He is still scheduled to work tonight’s HIAC event, w/ the severity of the injury still being determined. I’m told plans for the match have been changing all day long. Feel terrible for Cody.
“Unfortunately, the Cody Rhodes injury news going around is accurate. He is still scheduled to work tonight’s HIAC event, w/ the severity of the injury still being determined. I’m told plans for the match have been changing all day long. Feel terrible for Cody.”
Something was amiss when Cody didn’t compete in a scheduled match at a house show this past Saturday night. He was set to take on Seth Rollins but WWE announced that he suffered an injury.
Drew McIntyre ended up replacing Cody and he pinned Rollins. After the match, Cody ran Seth out of the ring.
“Cody hurt himself weight training this week. The story going around backstage last night in Champaign, Illinois is that he tore his pec. I don’t know that 100 percent [if] that is the injury. That’s definitely the story going around. That’s what multiple wrestlers were saying last night, and Cody was there, so he probably told them,” Meltzer said. “The presumption everyone had was he’s working Hell in a Cell tonight and from there we’ll see. But a torn pec is, you know, that’s a pretty serious injury, if it is that.”
Cody has indicated on his Twitter account that he will be in action tonight.
At Saturday’s live event in Champaign, Illinois, WWE did an angle where Seth attacked Cody, which nixed a tag team bout and a triple threat match took place instead as McIntyre beat Rollins and Sami Zayn. Post-match, Cody appeared to chase Rollins around the ring and to the back.
The injury is expected to keep Rhodes on the shelf for months and comes at a bad time for WWE, which needs star power on house shows because Roman Reigns is working a limited schedule.
Cody Rhodes was scheduled to wrestle during a house show this past Saturday but he only made an appearance.
During an untelevised Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cody was set to face Seth Rollins inside the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
WWE ended up announcing that Cody Rhodes was “injured” and he ended up being replaced by Drew McIntyre. Drew picked up the win and after the match, Cody chased Seth off.
Work or Legit?
There’s no word on exactly why Cody didn’t wrestle last night. He’s been going one-on-one with Seth in a slew of dark matches over the past couple of months.
Cody is scheduled to face Seth at the Hell in a Cell premium live event tonight. Many suspect the “injury” WWE announced for Cody at the live event on Saturday was a work but time will tell if something else is truly at play.
SEScoops will have you covered with live results from the Hell in a Cell (see our predictions here) event.
Some of the “top stars” of All Elite Wrestling could be working for Vince McMahon in the WWE when the time is right.
In February, Cody Rhodes left AEW after a three-year tenure with the promotion and returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38: Night One.
To date, Cody is the only AEW star to make the jump but his booking may cause others to follow in his footsteps.
According to a new report from The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the impressive booking Rhodes has received has led many “top stars” in AEW to consider joining WWE when their contracts expire.
These top stars include names who had shown no interest in WWE and had made it clear that they would forever be loyal to AEW, before Cody’s return this past April.
While no names were given in the report, it’s known that MJF has teased joining WWE when his current contract with Tony Khan expires in January 2024.
On this week’s Dynamite, MJF cut a scathing promo against AEW and Khan and begged to be fired from the company he feels underappreciated in.
The May 30 episode of Raw was held inside the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The show featured a brawl between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins after Seth referenced Cody’s time in AEW.
There was also a non-title match between Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair and Asuka. Belair ended up winning the match with a rollup. After the match, Becky Lynch attacked both women.
The show ended with a contract signing between Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Omos. Despite a run-in from Cedric Alexander, the show ended with Lashley nailing Omos through a table with a Spear.
Once Cameras Stopped Rolling
It’s been a running theme for WWE to have Cody and Seth wrestle once Raw goes off the air. Things were no different on May 30 in Des Moines.
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins did battle at least one more time before their Hell in a Cell match on June 5.
This week’s SmackDown took place inside the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas. In the main event, Drew McIntrye served as the mystery partner for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to take on The Brawling Brutes.
In the end, McIntyre nailed Ridge Holland with the Claymore and Woods finished things off with the Limit Break for the pinfall win.
After The Show
When the cameras stopped rolling, Cody Rhodes was in action against Kevin Owens. Cody ended up winning the match.
Ahead of the clash, Owens cut a hilarious promo on Cody only being popular due to having pyro in his entrance.
After the match, Cody made it clear he does not control the pyro.
Cody Rhodes took to his Twitter account to respond to a fan who brought up a lingering rumor that “The American Nightmare” had a falling out with Tony Khan over money and creative power.
The former AEW EVP poured cold water on the rumblings.
Full stop: the money and creative story that misguided brudda put out there has already been rebuffed by all parties
I’m proud of my peers/kids there and my accomplishments as competitor/EVP
“Full stop: the money and creative story that misguided brudda put out there has already been rebuffed by all parties.
“I’m proud of my peers/kids there and my accomplishments as competitor/EVP. It was just personal and it was just time to go for the big one.”
Cody has been treated like a big star since making his return to WWE. He’s a top babyface on the Monday Night Raw roster.
Rhodes is scheduled to face Seth Rollins a third time at the Hell in a Cell premium live event on June 5.
Since making his return to the company, Cody Rhodes has made it clear that his main goal is to capture the WWE Championship for the first time in his career.
WWE fans can expect to see more of their favorite Superstars on both Raw and SmackDown as the brand split is considered to be finished.
In 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split, five years after merging Raw and Smackdown’s rosters into one collective.
According to Bryan Alverez who spoke on Wrestling Observer Live, WWE is doing away with the brand split, and fans can see more Superstars appear on both brands.
“They haven’t officially said anything, but the brand extension is essentially done. Half of the Raw crew is going to be on SmackDown Friday. Cody’s going to be there, I think Seth is going to be there. They’re just going to do whatever.”
Bryan Alvarez
Andrew Zarian followed up on this, saying that a WWE source told him that while the company doesn’t plan on officially announcing the end of the brand split, there will be far more crossover going forward.
Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens have all been advertised for this Friday’s SmackDown though it’s unclear if they’ll appear on the broadcast.
In addition to this trio, Roman Reigns is also able to appear on both Raw and SmackDown due to his place as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The Usos are also able to appear on both Raw and SmackDown after unifying both brands’ tag team titles following their win over RK-Bro last week.
Cody Rhodes returned to the WWE after leaving AEW as Seth Rollins’ surprise opponent at WrestleMania 38. After six long years away from the company, the American Nightmare signed a multi-year deal with WWE.
A month earlier on March 11, WWE 2K22 was released. Fans never expected Rhodes to be part of the game’s roster, and he wasn’t featured in it. None of the downloadable content (DLC) announced for the game so far includes Rhodes.
A recent report, however, suggests that WWE actually wanted Rhodes in the game but it never materialized.
According to Sports Gamers Online, since WWE knew about Rhodes’ return since February, they wanted him in the game but it was “too short of a notice for the developers at 2K.”
A source close to the development team said, “WWE tried, but it was quickly shot down.”
“They knew it was unlikely, but you don’t know for sure unless you ask,” the source added.
Rhodes responded to the story, saying that he can bet the folks at 2K are at it to present something special for fans.
“I don’t know the talented folks at @WWEgames but I’m a pretty decent gambler and I would bet they’re working very hard on something special for pro wrestling fans,” Rhodes wrote.
In a statement released on May 19, 2K announced that they were removing Nash Carter from the Stand Back Pack DLC after he was released from the company back in April. The statement said that they were removing him so that fans get “the most authentic representation of the WWE Universe.”
Cody Rhodes is currently in a program with Seth Rollins and the two men will face each other for the third time at Hell In A Cell on Sunday, June 5. Click here for all news coverage of the event by SEScoops.
The May 23 episode of WWE Raw is in the books but some important movement took place after the USA Network airing.
In the main event of Raw, Asuka took on Becky Lynch in a rematch. The stipulation was that if Becky won, then she’d be added to the Raw Women’s Title match at Hell in a Cell on June 5.
Asuka ended up accidentally kicking Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair in the head, causing a distraction. Asuka almost got counted out but it didn’t matter as Becky rolled up Asuka for the pinfall.
It’ll now be Belair vs. Asuka vs. Becky at Hell in a Cell.
MVP’s Stipulation Revealed After Raw
Fans also witnessed MVP defeat Bobby Lashley thanks to interference from Omos. As a result, MVP got to lay down the stipulation for Lashley vs. Omos at Hell in a Cell.
Before MVP could get a word out, however, Lashley got him in the Hurt Lock.
When the show went off the air, WWE held its Raw Talk show. During the show, MVP announced that it’ll be him and Omos vs. Bobby Lashley in a handicap match.
As far as the live crowd post-show is concerned, Cody Rhodes spoke to the fans in attendance. This was after he had a dark match in which he pinned Seth Rollins. He took pics with as many people as he could after the match.
I tried to get some Rollins chants going tonight for you but the “Cody” chants overpowered. Thank you for giving us a great match tonight though and for all you do. I truly appreciate you and I’m glad you were in Evansville tonight. Also yes you are the greatest! #ROLLINSFOREVERpic.twitter.com/dUh1Mb8u7S
So sad right now!. @CodyRhodes was taking pics with the #WWERaw crowd and we would have been next but he walked and left us hanging ? he was right in front of me lol. it's our 3rd anniversary so it would have been a cool moment. Hopefully one day we'll get one. #anniversarypic.twitter.com/fvwSMGqX2T
Both Cody Rhodes and Kenny Omega are okay with missing next week’s Double or Nothing 2022 Pay-Per-View.
Next Sunday’s event will be headlined by AEW World Champion ‘Hangman’ Adam Page defending his title against CM Punk, in the latter’s first World title match since 2013.
The show will go on without either Rhodes, who left AEW in February and returned to WWE in April, or Omega, who is continuing to recover from injuries.
Omega hasn’t appeared in AEW since Full Gear 2021, where he lost the World Championship to Page.
On Twitter, a fan expressed their disappointment that neither will be appearing next weekend saying it isn’t the same without them, earning a response from both Rhodes and Omega.
I’ve got my crosshairs on being inside Hell in a Cell, but I’m sure it’ll be just fine without me. I left a lot of love(and blood ha) imbued in that canvas. Very proud of that chapter.
In addition to the AEW World Championship match, AEW Double or Nothing 2022 will also see the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s and Women’s Tournaments.
In the men’s finals, Adam Cole will face either Kyle O’Reilly or Samoa Joe, who will face off on next week’s Dynamite to earn a spot in the finals.
For the women’s tournament, Toni Storm will face Britt Baker and Ruby Soho will face Kris Statlander, with the winners advancing to the finals at the Pay Per View.
WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes has said that being a co-founder of All Elite Wrestling won’t be his legacy.
Rhodes founded AEW alongside Tony Khan, the Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega in early 2019 but left in February this year to return to WWE.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sport Illustrated, Cody said that he’s proud of helping to start AEW but wants to be remembered for much more than that promotion.
“I don’t want my wrestling legacy solely to be that I helped start an alternative wrestling company. I’m really proud of that and I want it to be part of my legacy, but what I’ve always wanted is what I’m after right now. I’m getting a second chance at that, and that is my entire focus. I want to do this for my whole family. My wife, my daughter, my sister Teil, my mom. If I can’t hand this title to my dad, it would be wonderful to hand it to my mom.”
“i don’t want my wrestling legacy solely to be that I helped start an alternative wrestling company.”
Cody Rhodes
Rhodes will face Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell at WWE’s next Premium Live Event on June 5.
Cody Rhodes’ ultimate goal is to capture the WWE Championship but if he reunites with IC gold, he has big plans for it.
For many WWE fans, Cody’s first Intercontinental title reign is looked back on fondly. During that period, Rhodes brought back the old design of the IC gold with the white strap.
That became the main design before WWE switched things up with a brand new look in Nov. 2019.
Back To Old Glory
There was a time in WWE when the Intercontinental Championship was a big deal. Many top faces in the WWF’s golden era treated it as the world title since Hulk Hogan was a mainstay at the top.
For many years now, the IC Title has been treated as an afterthought. The current champion, Ricochet, wasn’t even featured on the WrestleMania Backlash card.
During an interview with WWE UK, Cody Rhodes said that if he so happens to get his hands on the Intercontinental Title again, he’ll make it his goal to bring it back to past glory (h/t Inside The Ropes).
“The Intercontinental run was a massive, massive deal for me because I felt like it put me in the position to continue up the card. I think if I was to have the IC Title now, I would be less interested in my own selfish climbing up of the card and more putting the Intercontinental Title on a pedestal.
“That’s a bit of a calling card of mine. There’s a saying in the industry ‘the belt can make the man, or the man can make the belt.’ I know that’s not the popular nomenclature that WWE uses, Title, Championship, it’s all the same in terms of what you can do for it. I think I could do wonders for it.
“My goal is the WWE Championship but there’s a lot of roads to get there. No pun intended. If it runs through the Intercontinental Title I would be more than proud to carry one of the industry’s most prestigious Championships.”
Becky Lynch attempted a physical attack on Cody Rhodes after Monday’s WWE Raw went off the air.
Rhodes is currently embroiled in a heated feud with Lynch’s husband, Seth Rollins. When the American Nightmare came out for his dark match main event, Big Time Becks couldn’t contain herself.
Lynch competed against Asuka in the main event of Raw. The winner would become the #1 contender to Bianca Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship. Asuka got the victory and Lynch was left with a face full of green mist.
During Rhodes’ ring entrance, he was confronted by Lynch, who attacked him with a flurry of punches and kicks – none of which landed.
You can see footage of the incident here:
Becky Lynch after Raw just before the Dark match not being able to see anything swinging at Cody is absolutely hilarious! She’s so funny. Also fist bump for Bianca from Cody. pic.twitter.com/q7vcwb4ODB
— Grace ?????????????? (@Baby_Face_Grace) May 17, 2022
Cody went on to defeat Seth Rollins in the dark match main event of the evening. The third (and likely final) televised match between these two will take place at Hell in a Cell on Sunday, June 5th.
After Becky Lynch made it backstage, she was interviewed by WWE’s digital team. As seen below, she wasn’t in the best mood about how things transpired on Raw:
Cody Rhodes has made it clear since returning to WWE in April that he came back because he felt like he had unfinished business and to become the WWE Champion.
It’s a goal that his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes, didn’t accomplish. In order for Cody to achieve his goal, he will have to go through Roman Reigns and beat him to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Rhodes noted he thinks he’s the best wrestler in the world.
“I think I’m the best wrestler in the world. And I think it’s by a large margin. That upsets a lot of people, but I don’t mean it to draw ire. This is all I do. I’m not in charge. I’m here to hone my craft, build my body, and win matches. Every week, I have to be better. That’s the ultimate clarity for me.
I’m on the flagship show. Look at the pyro and grandeur. Hats off to Kevin Dunn and his team for taking the ‘American Nightmare’ and expanding upon it. I know I must be better every week. That’s the only way I can stay the best in the world. Week to week, I’m putting myself under a microscope. Go ahead and put all the microscopes in the world on me. I want Fox to come calling. I did it for Turner Media and I got a great education at my last spot. Bring it on; I want it all.”
When asked whether he believes he is better than Reigns, Cody stated he can’t answer that question until they’re in the ring.
“The difference between the two best wrestlers in the world is that one has both titles to prove it.”
He said the WWE Title is the biggest title in the game and that’s not a knock on any title anywhere else.
Freddie Prinze Jr. seems to be going ahead with his plans for starting his new wrestling promotion.
Prinze has experience in the pro wrestling industry. He entered the WWE from the world of Hollywood and worked behind the scenes at the company in the creative department. He even had a confrontation with John Cena.
Earlier this month, Prinze revealed his plans for his new promotion. He wants to have it up and running in 18 months and wants a two-hour show for it.
Now, Freddie Prinze Jr. went into detail about his process in starting the promotion while appearing on the Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw podcast. Prinze revealed that he’s not looking for a TV deal for his wrestling company in the initial years (as transcribed by WrestlingNews.co):
“My philosophy is this. There’s over 200 dramas on television. There’s over 150 comedies on television, there’s over 400 reality TV shows on television, and there’s three wrestling shows. So there’s tons more room but my plan is a little different. I’m not looking for a TV deal, at first. I want to have a couple of years where we’re still filming everything. But I need time to fail.”
Prinze noted that he’s a year and a half away from his promotion being fully ready. He wants to take his time with it. He even wants his show to be associated with the Screen Actors Guild, with his wrestlers getting all the benefits from it like insurance and retirement.
“I’m about a year and a half away from being fully ready to go. But I want to take my time with it. And then once we’re ready to go, I want to have a fully SAG show. And that year and a half gives me a time for all my wrestlers in my roster to get vouchered so that when we do go, it can be a SAG show. My wrestlers are gonna have insurance, retirement, and everything that comes with the Screen Actors Guild.
“I assure you, it’s not all good [because] there’s a lot of BS with our union as well. But it’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s been a goal of mine for a long time. I don’t know how far down the goal line I’ll get. But I’m going as far as I can go. And if I fail, I don’t care, man, I’m still going all the way,” Prinze explained.
Since running your own promotion and having its own TV show is no small task, Prinze is seeking advice from his contacts in Hollywood. Prinze said that he’s been asking a lot of questions to people relevant in Hollywood and also in the wrestling business.
Prinze revealed that he even asked Cody Rhodes for advice, who served as the executive vice president of All Elite Wrestling as well as a wrestler:
“I asked a lot of questions to a lot of people and I’ve been asking a lot of wrestlers as well and people who have built things you know, I spoke to Cody. And I’ve spoken to Cody multiple times. So it’s a lot to learn, but I feel like I’m going slow and steady and I’m learning it the right way.”
Freddie Prinze Jr. has said before that he is not looking for his promotion to be in competition with WWE or AEW. He has also asked for input on a name for the promotion.
MJF has been the talk of the town and in 2024, he’ll be the biggest story in wrestling.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman is a top heel in AEW and even though he’s a star now, the 26-year-old hasn’t even scratched the surface. Many see Plainview’s finest as a major player in the industry for years to come.
While AEW has its golden goose for now, things could change in 2024. That’s when MJF’s contract with the company will expire. Reports have claimed that MJF is a bit unhappy with Tony Khan after a chat regarding taking media interviews without permission.
While that ultimately could turn out to be nothing, Maxwell has teased testing the market both on and off-air. It’s left many wondering if MJF will be making the big jump to WWE.
If he does, here are five WWE superstars who would be perfect opponents for him:
The Miz
(via WWE)
You knew this was coming, so might as well get it out of the way now. If WWE signs MJF, he’s bound to have a program with The Miz. Wrestling fans have long made comparisons between the two.
It makes sense. After all, both characters have a sense of entitlement, enjoy the finer things in life, and think they’re better than everyone else.
Heck, CM Punk even referred to MJF as a “less famous Miz” during their AEW feud.
MJF and The Miz have actually exchanged pleasantries. Back in late 2021, Maxwell appeared on SiriusXM’s Throwing Down with Renee & Miesha and he expressed his belief that Miz is “tremendous” as a performer.
Miz returned the favor, telling Peter Rosenberg that MJF is no copycat. Miz also said he feels MJF has done a great job in a short period of time.
Kevin Owens
(via WWE)
When you think of Kevin Owens, you don’t think of the prototypical WWE superstar.
KO is so good that he ended up being a Swiss army knife for Vince McMahon’s empire. You can put Owens in any role and he’s going to succeed.
For a feud with MJF to work, however, there’s no doubt that Owens will have to play the babyface role. Maxwell would thrive in this situation being the snotty, rich brat running down the hardworking Owens who was never meant to grace the cover of GQ Magazine.
As a heel, Owens has a way of making the audience hate him. As a face, he’ll make the WWE Universe love him. He’d be the perfect good guy in this feud.
This would be a home run.
John Cena
(via WWE)
This one is a bit tougher to pull off since John Cena is a busy man these days with Hollywood.
With that said, this would be a fantastic rivalry.
When you think back to Cena’s feuds with the likes of AJ Styles, Roman Reigns, and others, he always brought straight heat on the mic. He and MJF would have some memorable verbal battles and the match would also likely deliver.
As he proved during his rivalry with Styles, Cena does a great job handling programs with stars who had been established in another promotion. He knows how to hit close to home with his words and sell the audience on the significance of the match.
If MJF ends up in WWE and Cena’s schedule allows for it, this match is a must.
Roman Reigns
Photo: WWE.com
Roman Reigns is easily the top star in WWE today.
Ever since transitioning to his “Tribal Chief” character, his stock has soared. Reigns has been such a dominant force that he’s running out of legit contenders on TV.
If MJF enters WWE and feuds with Reigns, fans will get the added bonus of witnessing Maxwell and Paul Heyman go at it on the mic. Much like Cena, Heyman knows how to make things more personal and he’d likely do the same for an MJF-Reigns storyline.
The idea behind Reigns’ character is that he thinks he’s in “God Mode.” All of the opposition are supposed to fear him but MJF is quick-witted and would greatly challenge the “Head of the Table” in promo battles.
The question is, will Roman Reigns be around in 2024 if MJF makes the jump?
Reigns has signed a new deal to take fewer dates and some question whether or not he’ll be on his way out of WWE sooner rather than later should Hollywood come calling.
Cody Rhodes
This one is a no-brainer.
There is simply too much history between MJF and Cody Rhodes to ignore. The two had been booked as best friends on AEW TV until Maxwell turned on Cody by booting him in the nether regions.
The two ultimately collided at the AEW Revolution PPV back in Feb. 2020. MJF emerged victorious, putting an end to their rivalry although it definitely felt like there was some unfinished business that would be addressed after some time passed.
Cody made the shocking jump to WWE at WrestleMania 38 back in April. For WWE to book a high-profile feud with two of AEW’s golden boys would probably be a huge feather in the cap of company officials.
There’s no doubt Cody would push for this to happen if WWE snags MJF and he’d likely get his wish.
Cody Rhodes made the shocking transition from AEW back to WWE but many feel he shot himself in the foot due to a booking decision prior to the move.
Cody had served as an EVP for AEW along with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. The group was adamant about not wanting to take away the spotlight from other talent just because they had a position of power.
Rhodes took things a step further, booking himself in an AEW World Heavyweight Title match against Chris Jericho with a stipulation that had a big consequence.
If he lost the match, which he did, then he was not allowed to ever compete for AEW’s biggest prize again.
Chris Jericho and Cody Rhodes
A Costly Stipulation
During an edition of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Matt expressed his belief that Cody ended up unintentionally limiting what he could do in AEW from a storyline perspective (h/t Wrestling Inc).
“I don’t know if that was him just trying to be unselfish because of the position he was in as an EVP where he was part of management. I do agree, he’s such a big player in pro wrestling and you don’t want to take yourself off the table like that because it really limits what you can do from storytelling.”
Matt also said an opportunity was there for Cody to add to his family legacy before deciding to take the loss with that stipulation in place.
“Especially with the backstory of his dad never winning the title and that’s what he set as his goal, his destiny to win the title his dad never did,” Hardy said. “That’s a great story too.”
Rhodes has since admitted that this may have not been his brightest idea. He said he didn’t want to live and die by the TNT Championship in AEW, so he returned to WWE where he can become a world champion for the big kahuna.
Dustin Rhodes has no plans of ever wrestling his brother Cody Rhodes again.
Back in May 2019 at the inaugural AEW Double or Nothing PPV, Dustin and Cody put on an instant classic. Ultimately, Cody picked up the pinfall and the two embraced. The match took a lot out of the two.
It’s enough to where Dustin promises not to have another singles match with Cody.
(via AEW)
Dustin Rhodes Dismisses Cody Rematch
During a chat with Renee Paquette on The Sessions, Dustin Rhodes said that he won’t ever share the ring with Cody for a one-on-one match again (h/t Fightful).
“I’ve talked about this a lot over the last couple of years.
“Having an opportunity to work with my brother, and not knowing what to expect with the AEW audience and no idea if I’m gonna get any reaction at all, and just the fact that we went out there, and I got a reaction, and the match was like, just for me and him, perfect.
“It was a long time coming that we weren’t allowed in WWE to do. Not Stardust vs. Goldust, I mean just serious brother versus brother.
“It’s hard to do.
“It’s hard to do as you look at all the brothers versus brothers. There’s nothing good to come from them, right? I’ll never do it again. I’ll never wrestle him again. It did a lot to me that night.”
Cody is currently back with WWE, while Dustin remains on the AEW roster. Dustin has said he’s committed to AEW as he believes in the direction the company is heading in.
Dustin has said that he and Cody had pitched the idea of facing each other at WrestleMania directly to Vince McMahon before AEW was even a thought. He claimed McMahon told him the match wasn’t good enough for the event.
