In an update on where Rhodes might end up next, Fightful Select issued a report on Sunday evening looking at the lay of the land as it stands right now. There have been multiple offers from several wrestling companies to Cody, though it’s unclear which offers are still on the table. Everyone is being very secretive on the situation and they were unable to confirm if Rhodes has indeed signed somewhere.
Additionally, “at least one” of the Executive Vice Presidents from AEW believes that Cody has signed with WWE and will indeed wrestle Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38 in just a few weeks.
WWE producers (agents) have reportedly not been briefed about any pending arrival by Rhodes. There was some talk about how Damian Priest did not use The Reckoning (Cross Rhodes) on television last week; apparently Cody himself was not aware of this though WWE producers don’t believe that this would have been an accident or coincidence.
Cody and Brandi were seen in Orlando this past week with their daughter alongside Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green at Disney. Nobody had heard of them being at the WWE Performance Center or taking part in any other business.
Cody and Brandi are continuing to work on television programming, though it’s unclear whether this is Rhodes To The Top, A Shot of Brandi, or an entirely new project for the both of them.
This Monday’s WWE Raw takes place in Jacksonville, Florida, the home of All Elite Wrestling and where Cody has wrestled numerous times over the last year.
Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.
The drama surrounding Cody Rhodes’ next career move continues.
The American Nightmare was once considered a sure-thing to be joining WWE, but that is no longer the case. In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided an update on what’s next for the former AEW Executive Vice President.
Just a couple weeks ago, Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins was planned as one of the top WrestleMania 38 matches. WWE hoped to have Cody signed by now and recently told the creative team to stop working on ideas for the former AEW EVP.
“The creative team was only told that it was not 100 percent that he was coming in, when they believed it was a done deal with the key parts of creative having already been worked out for him to debut,” wrote Meltzer.
He added, “They were told this week to hold off on working on Rhodes vs. Rollins until Rhodes signs the contract, because they had already worked on it, and then had to stop everything when they weren’t sure if Rhodes was coming.”
This does not sound encouraging, but it’s important to note that Cody Rhodes to WWE is far from a dead deal.
Cody Rhodes is said to be fielding multiple offers regarding the next stage of his career. He very well might end up in WWE, but the odds have undoubtedly decreatd.
Is Cody Rhodes angling for a better deal with WWE? Could we see him back in AEW, or even Ring of Honor, for that matter?
We’re going to continue monitoring this story closely. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Cody Rhodes’ next move.
Tony Khan does not plan on appointing a new AEW Executive Vice President to replace Cody Rhodes.
Cody and wife Brandi Rhodes held many positions in AEW prior to them leaving on February 15. The AEW CEO/President has now begun to speak about how those positions will be filled behind the scenes.
Ahead of AEW Revolution, Tony Khan spoke to Baby Huey on the In The Kliq podcast. Khan explained that he currently has no intentions of finding an EVP to replace Cody Rhodes. However, he will be looking for a new Chief Brand Officer after Brandi Rhodes’ departure.
AEW Executive Shakeup
“They were both big parts of the company from our launch,” Khan said of Brandi and Cody Rhodes. “I give them so much credit for being a big part of our success, both of them. I’m not planning to replace the Executive Vice President role. I take on a lot of responsibility myself and we have some great people in that position right now, other Vice Presidents, and I work with a great team.”
Khan continued, “For that position, we’ll have to look, and also for the [Chief] Brand Officer position, you know, Brandi has been awesome for us. So that one I will likely fill, but right now we’re just moving forward. I think the company’s stronger than it’s ever been today. So right now, everybody’s on the road to Revolution.”
On the AEW Revolution media call, Tony clarified that he wanted to keep Cody as a member of the roster beyond the option years in his contract. Unfortunately, Tony says that they were unable to come to an agreement.
Cody Rhodes’ future in professional wrestling is looking increasingly uncertain.
After his shocking departure from All Elite Wrestling, fans have speculated if Cody Rhodes would return to WWE. Sport’s Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso reported on Feb. 16 that Cody would be signing with his former employers.
Not So Fast
However, a new report suggests Cody to WWE is far from a sure thing. On Friday, Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net dropped the bombshell that talks between Rhodes and the WWE have “fizzled out.”
Haynes also shares that a source claims that the former Executive Vice President of AEW may actually return to the company.
“… I was told that discussions had been ongoing between Cody and WWE, but I was told, ‘those conversations have since fizzled out.’ One source indicated that there is hope that Cody can be brought back into the AEW fold. The idea was floated to me that there might be a possibility again, with a new role involving the ROH acquisition.”
On Saturday, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer corroborated the news from Cassidy Haynes. Meltzer tweeted there has been a “definite change” in the expectation that Cody returning to WWE was inevitable.
Days after word leaked that WWE creative is working on plans for Cody Rhodes, Meltzer wrote on the members-only F4W message board, “Creative was told last night [Friday] a change in Cody status from sure thing to uncertain.”
Earlier this week, Cody Rhodes spoke very fondly about his time with All Elite Wrestling. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, wrestling fans are the face of it all – I was lucky to carry the baton for several years, and I am incredibly proud of the changes we made for the industry and livelihood of wrestlers the world over. A great time, stuff for the history books.”
?? I’ll let you in on a little secret, wrestling fans are the face of it all – I was lucky to carry the baton for several years, and I am incredibly proud of the changes we made for the industry and livelihood of wrestlers the world over. A great time, stuff for the history books https://t.co/aiRG6dRELr
While fans wonder what is next for Rhodes, Khan seems to have an idea. The AEW President shared his thoughts on Busted Open on Sirus XM that the free agent already has something planned.
“It’s very sad and not something any of us wanted to happen, I think, but I believe that Cody’s got something else in the works, I’m not sure about that, but we’ll see,” said Khan. “I’m sure they’re going to have great opportunities in wrestling and in life. You never know what’s going to happen in the future. I wish them the best and am very appreciative of everything they did here.”
Cody Rhodes is no longer with AEW, but the company is showing off a couple new action figures bearing the likeness of the American Nightmare.
As part of AEW Revolution weekend in Orlando, FL, AEW is holding a Fan Fest. Part of the fan fest includes a section showing off AEW’s upcoming action figures.
There are several really cool figures in the works, including this two-pack featuring the late Brodie Lee and his son, -1.
Cody Rhodes New AEW Figures
It’s interesting to see AEW and Jazwares have multiple new Cody Rhodes figures in development. However, it may be premature for AEW fans to begin celebrating Cody’s return.
WWE regularly introduces action figures featuring talent talent that is no loner with the company. The WWE 2K22 roster features dozens of characters who are gone from WWE, some of them currently employed by AEW.
Here’s a first look at the new AEW Cody Rhodes action figures, courtesy of Twitter user @P1AllElite and Ringside Collectibles:
There have been conflicting reports on the status of Cody Rhodes but the latest word indicates that “The American Nightmare” is WWE-bound.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE has been working on creative plans for Cody. The plans are expected to be in motion soon barring a last-minute fallout between the two sides.
Conflicting Reports On Cody Rhodes
This goes against a recent report from Bodyslam.net, which claims that talks between Cody Rhodes and WWE “fizzled out.” The report also indicated that there was a possibility that Cody could make his way back to AEW.
Cody and Brandi Rhodes announced their departure from AEW back in February. Cody, Brandi, and Tony Khan all issued statements expressing gratitude for their time working together.
Reports claimed that Cody had grown unhappy with the loss in booking power. It was also said that he wanted a big enough contract that Khan wasn’t willing to pay.
Cody had been working without a contract since the end of 2021. Despite this, he won the TNT Championship but eventually dropped it to Sammy Guevara on the Beach Break edition of AEW Dynamite.
SEScoops will keep you posted with the latest updates regarding the status of Cody Rhodes.
When asked about Cody Rhodes potentially making his return to WWE, McIntyre mentioned that he knows what it’s like to leave the promotion feeling that you have unfinished business:
“If he comes back, good for him. That’d be awesome. I know what it feels like to be gone from WWE feeling like you should have achieved more, and coming back to do it.
And just knowing him the way I know him, he probably feels the same way about unfinished business.” said Drew McIntyre, “So if it materializes, then, awesome. He’s such a talent, and be more than welcome on the roster.”
Cody Rhodes surprised everyone when he announced his departure from AEW last month. There are lots of rumors about his next move but no confirmation on what he is actually planning.
McIntyre has history with Rhodes from the time of his first WWE run. The two even held the tag team championships together in the company for a brief period in 2010.
All Elite Wrestling is heading to Detroit, Michigan for the first time this summer.
AEW Dynamite and Rampage will take place from Detroits Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, June 29th.
The venue is the home arena of the Pistons (NBA) and Red Wings (NHL). It has a max capacity of over 18,000 fans, but maxes out around 14,000 for wrestling events.
According to WrestleTix, WWE Raw on March 12, 2018 sold 13,791 tickets. WWE’s most recent show there, a Super Show featuring John Cena last summer (August 1, 2021), sold 10,790 tickets.
Tickets for AEW’s Detroit debut go on sale Friday, March 11th at AEWTix.com and Ticketmaster.
Cody Rhodes Reacts to AEW Detroit
Former AEW star Cody Rhodes commented on AEW heading to Detroit. He said it’s “very cool to see!” and congratulated his wife Brandi and AEW live event coordinator Rafael Morffi for “making Detroit finally happen.”
Wrestling legend “Diamond” Dallas Page is a long time friend of the Rhodes family, and thus, may be able to provide some insight into why Cody has left All Elite Wrestling.
Rhodes’ exit from the company he helped start came out on February 15th, with both Cody and Brandi Rhodes commenting on their exits, as well as an official company statement on the news. Since then, there has been nothing new to report despite rumors persisting that Cody will sign with WWE.
DDP shed some light on the Cody situation during an interview with Fightful. A portion of that interview was released early via Fightful Select.
“Cody called me two days before,” Page said. “He said, ‘Listen, I’m gonna tell you something. But I can only tell you so much. But I know if I don’t call you and tell you, you’re gonna want to kill me. You’ll be so pissed off, so I have to call and tell you that I love Tony Khan. He’s a great guy. He loves me. But we’re gonna split up and I want to go off and do something else. I can’t tell you about what it is right now, but I promise at some point I will.'”
Page explained, “I don’t want to know sometimes. You know what I mean? I want to be surprised. I gave him all of my viewpoints on everything. I don’t know if you’re doing this, I don’t know if you’re doing that, I don’t know if you’re doing this. But I gave him my viewpoints and then Cody’s a man. He’s very successful. To me whatever he does, I wish him the best. I hope I helped him with some of my insights to help direct him. But he’s gonna do what he’s gonna do.”
Several reports have circulated about Cody potentially losing influence backstage at AEW and that being a catalyst for his leaving the company. The two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract, and AEW also opted to not utilize their option on Cody’s initial deal with the company. Per Dave Meltzer, Cody and Brandi had three year contracts with two year rollover options that were not exercised by Tony Khan.
Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.
Bryan Danielson had quite the scare when he first heard the news about Cody and Brandi Rhodes.
Cody and Brandi announced their departure from AEW. The two had been signed to three-year deals, which expired at the end of 2021. They continued to appear on AEW television despite not being under contract.
Cody had been the TNT Champion but ultimately dropped it to Sammy Guevara in a title unification match on the Beach Break episode of AEW Dynamite. Going into the match, Guevara was the interim champion after Cody couldn’t make his title defense sooner due to COVID-19.
Danielson’s Scare
Speaking to Metro, Bryan Danielson said he heard the news about Cody and Brandi Rhodes through his wife, Brie Bella, but his initial reaction was fear.
“You have to understand my relationship to this story breaking is a little bit different because I’m not on the internet very much. So I woke up, had no idea, I texted Tony Khan something about some idea I had or whatever.
“Completely oblivious. I’m driving to the airport and my wife [Brie Bella] texts me, and I usually don’t check it but it comes up on the thing and it said, ‘Did you hear about Cody and Brandi?’
“And the first thing that went through my head is, ‘Oh no, did something happen? Did they get in a crash? Did something bad happen to their daughter?’ I’m thinking worst-case scenario.”
Reports suggest that many within AEW were stunned by the news of Cody and Brandi’s departure. It’s been said that Cody had a disagreement with Tony Khan over money and the loss of booking power.
While everyone else in AEW is talking about how Cody Rhodes will be missed after his departure, Bryan Danielson has a very unique take on the situation.
The former champion recently appeared on The Masked Man Show. During the talk, he was asked about his thoughts on the situation surrounding the former TNT champion.
Replying to it, Danielson recalled the time they used to ride together in WWE. He then claimed that Rhodes actually taught him how to lie to someone on their face:
“I have a great relationship with Cody. Cody and I have been friends for a long time, we’d ride together in WWE and that kind of stuff. I don’t know if you guys know this, this is probably something that the boys know, but I’m a big-time liar. I love to lie.
My love of lying, I wasn’t a very good liar until I rode with Cody.” said Bryan Danielson, “Cody taught me how fun lying is. Just making up, saying something straight to somebody’s face, the most absurd lie. Some of that…I really enjoy Cody,”
Apart from this, the former WWE star talked about things such as his ongoing storyline with Jon Moxley, lessons he has learned from Vince McMahon, and more.
What did you think about Danielson’s remarks about the American Nightmare? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Tony Schiavone is sharing his reaction to Cody Rhodes leaving AEW.
Schiavone’s relationship with the Rhodes family goes back to the 1980’s. He’s very close to their family and considers Cody and Brandi to be dear friends.
On the latest episode of his What Happened When podcast with Conrad Thompson, Schiavone opened up about the Cody Rhodes situation.
Aside from Cody being a driving force behind AEW’s formation, Cody is also the man responsible for introducing Schiavone to AEW President Tony Khan.
“Cody Rhodes, to me, was one of the faces of AEW,” said Schiavone. “Cody was the one who got me in touch with Tony Khan, and that’s why I signed,” he said.
“Of course, I’m very close to the family. We took many bus rides together to Jacksonville. I consider him and Brandi friends. I think we’re a better organization today because of them.”
It’s Wrestling. It Happens.
– Tony Schiavone on Cody Rhodes’ AEW Departure
Tony Schiavone wishes Cody and Brandi Rhodes the best and is grateful for everything they’ve done for him and for AEW.
Schiavone has seen it all since he started with Jim Crocket Promotions in 1983. That said, Cody Rhodes was an integral part of AEW and his departure is nothing short of shocking.
“But, after you get over the shock of it, you kind of think, ‘You know what? It’s wrestling. It happens. This is the first one that’s left our company, but it’s one of our biggest names that left the company, so that’s why it’s the biggest shock.”
On Tuesday’s edition of The Pat McAfee Show, the SmackDown color commentator addressed the buzz about Cody’s future. He also addressed the Wednesday Night Wars and took a few digs at AEW in the process.
“I guess Cody Rhodes is coming to WWE,” said McAfee. “I guess. Who cares, dude, you know? Him and his little friends, they started something, it was terrible, we actually went head-to-head with them on Wednesdays, we beat ’em a couple different times, who cares? The hell with Cody Rhodes!”
McAfee must have realized there’s money to be made with Cody Rhodes in WWE, because he pivoted his position pretty quickly.
Taking on a more positive outlook, McAfee said Cody is a “massive name” and is excited by the prospect of working together.
“Now people are going to think I’m starting an angle with Cody Rhodes,” he joked. “I’m actually pretty pumped if Cody is coming back. [He’s] obviously a massive name in Sports Entertainment. If he’s coming to SmackDown, I’m excited by it.”
Eric Bischoff is not shocked about Cody Rhodes’ decision to leave All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
During the latest episode of his 83 Weeks podcast with Conrad Thompson, Bischoff divulged that he keeps in touch with Cody via texting. Cody’s AEW departure sent shockwaves throughout the industry, but Bischoff says he was more surprised about Cody leaving WWE back in 2016.
“I’m not surprised – not nearly as surprised as everybody else is, and it’s not because I have any inside information or speak to Cody,” he began. “Cody and I text back and forth every couple of months maybe,” Bischoff said. “Look, I was more surprised that Cody left WWE.”
Bischoff continued by laying out why jumping back to WWE makes total sense for someone in Cody Rhodes’ position.
“Let’s think about that for a minute. You’re 30 years old and on the biggest stage in the world in your particular industry. Yeah, you might be saddled with a character or gimmick you don’t like, but guess what? You’re making damn good money that you could probably retire on in five to ten years if you’re smart. But he was willing to walk away from that because he wasn’t satisfied. It reminded me of his dad.”
You can listen to Eric Bischoff’s comments about Cody Rhodes leaving AEW in the tweet embedded below:
Cody Rhodes showed some real guts by betting on himself and making a decision that couldn't have been easy.
Bischoff also recalled speaking with Cody shortly after he left WWE. Bischoff assured Cody his father would be proud of him, since Dusty was never satisfied and always seeking something bigger.
WWE made several references to Cody Rhodes’ pending return on Monday’s Raw. The Miz referred to his surprise partner as being from a “fighting family” and also “Dashing.”
Cody Rhodes is widely believed to be returning to WWE shortly. WWE dropped multiple hints recently likely meant to foreshadow his return to the company on last night’s RAW.
Before last night’s show, The Miz Tweeted out that everyone is going to be really surprised by who he brings with him to RAW. Then during Miz TV, he referred to this person as being from a “fighting family” and also as “Dashing.” Then Logan Paul came out, however.
"Someone who comes from a fighting family, a pioneer, someone who's very … DASHING!"
Cody Rhodes is a former 2x Intercontinental Champion in WWE. He also held tag team gold in the company 6x, twice with Ted DiBiase Jr., twice with Goldust, once with Drew McIntyre, and once with Hardcore Holly. Rhodes’ 257 days spent with the Intercontinental title split amongst two reigns ranks him 23rd out of 87 all-time in that category. He is also a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, ROH World Champion, and 3x TNT Champion.
Rhodes was also awarded “Worst Gimmick” from the readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 2015 for his Stardust character.
In his final in-ring promo before leaving All Elite Wrestling, an impassioned Cody Rhodes addressed a rabid crowd in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. Standing in the center of the squared circle in his suit and tie, Cody shouted to be heard over the jeers and heckles, like a presidential candidate trying to sway a gathering of his biggest detractors. Throughout this 7- minute-long speech, Cody touched on his recent contract negotiations, the creation and evolution of AEW, and his complex relationship with the fans.
“You wanna ask why I won’t turn heel?” he screamed into the mic as his voice cracked under the emotional weight of the moment. “It’s because you cheered me when I needed it most. When it says, ‘There is more than one royal family in wrestling,’ I am talking about me and ALL OF US!”
Cody was referencing the continued calls from a large section of the AEW fanbase for him to “turn heel.” In wrestling terms, turning heel is when a good guy (the babyface) becomes a bad guy. It’s a role Cody has fulfilled to great success before, both in his previous (and potentially future) home of the WWE and in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. But since signing with Tony Khan’s AEW in January 2019 as a wrestler and executive vice president (alongside Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks), Cody has always played the babyface.
This was clearly the correct decision in the beginning as the upstart wrestling promotion sought to establish itself on a national scale. As Cody stated in his Washington promo, he carried “every ounce of empty monopoly sentiment on his shoulders” and “held every grain of the revolution in his hands,” and the fans cheered him every step of the way. He was the blood-pouring, throne- smashing, flag-waving hero that helped launch the first serious alternative to WWE in decades.
Fans wanted to cheer him ever since his NWA World Title match against Nick Aldis at All In — the 2018 event that inspired the formation of AEW. That sentiment carried through to his classic encounter with his brother Dustin Rhodes at AEW’s first pay-per-view Double or Nothing and helped set the tone of Dynamite in its first few months on TNT through his feuds with Chris Jericho and MJF. While the company was rebuilding Hangman Adam Page and laying the early foundations for its future stars like Darby Allin, Jungle Boy, and Sammy Guevara, Cody was the one holding down the fort.
However, somewhere along the way, Cody went from the most beloved babyface in AEW to one of its most polarizing figures. As funny as it is to pretend it started when he got that ugly neck tattoo, it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact moment of the shift. You might look to the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020 and how the loss of live crowds killed some of Cody’s luster. But that would be dismissing his incredible run as the first TNT Champion, where his open challenges were a weekly highlight, helping showcase up-and-comers like Ricky Starks and undervalued industry veterans like Eddie Kingston.
It wasn’t until Cody’s second run as TNT Champion and the return of live crowds that things started to feel different. Having taken time off to film the TBS game show The Go Big Show, Cody would make his return to Dynamite, adorned in a black suit, his trademark bleached blond hair replaced with a darker cut, looking like a lost member of My Chemical Romance. He quickly regained the TNT Title from the late Mr. Brodie Lee and just as quickly went back blond — perhaps the first sign of a character in the midst of an identity crisis.
Cody’s second reign as TNT Champion lacked the appeal of the open challenge era, with his matches often feeling more like time-stalling devices rather than compelling feuds with their own intent and purpose. And he would ultimately drop the title to Darby at the Full Gear ppv in November 2020. Everything that came next felt like a wild rollercoaster ride through Codyland, where you were never sure when the ride would stop or restart or leave you hanging upside down on a loop-the-loop.
Let’s briefly summarize Cody’s adventures in AEW since late 2020. He interacted with a debuting Sting but never followed up on what could have been a blockbuster dream match. There was a similarly intriguing feud set-up with Penta El Zero M that abruptly ended after a couple of weeks. He beefed with Shaquille O’Neal in a slew of awkward segments, despite the surprisingly entertaining match at the end of it. And how can we forget the seemingly never-ending saga with QT Marshall and the Nightmare Factory trainees that led to the uncomfortably jingoistic rivalry with British Olympian Anthony Ogogo? All the while, he was dipping in and out to shoot his various reality shows.
During this period, fans began referring to Cody’s matches and segments as the “Codyverse,” a mocking term used to describe how Cody’s parts of the show felt like they were happening in a bubble. He seemed disconnected from the rest of AEW, both in the tone of his segments and the way he never interacted on-screen with the company’s other top stars. While this was partly due to taking himself out of contention to challenge for the AEW World Title, it still felt odd not to see any interaction between Cody and The Elite or Hangman or even Jon Moxley, what many would describe as potential money feuds and matches.
With that storyline disconnect came fan disconnect. The audiences — at least those in the arenas following AEW’s return to touring in July 2021 — no longer had the same level of investment in Cody’s character as they did when AEW first started. It was fatigue brought on by underwhelming storylines, confusing character motivations, and semi-frequent disappearing acts. This was only exacerbated by the signing of big-name talents like CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole,
not to mention the growth of popular homegrown stars like Darby, Sammy, and Jungle Boy. The fans now had new heroes to cheer for and didn’t need Cody to fulfill that role like he did in the company’s early days.
And yet, Cody couldn’t let the fans go. Even as more and more people started to boo him, he tried to reel them back in. But the harder he tried, the louder the boos became. The crowds didn’t want All American, “undesirable to undeniable” babyface Cody anymore; they wanted despicable, shit- talking heel Cody. That’s why they cheered when Malakai Black arrived and kicked his head off. That’s why they applauded in agreement when Arn Anderson called him a coward. It was time for a change, just like when Kenny and the Bucks turned heel or when the Dark Order went the other way and became faces. AEW had a good track record of gauging crowd reaction and giving fans what they wanted, even if it meant adjusting, and so, that’s what was expected of Cody.
But Cody never gave the fans the satisfaction. Sure, he teased heel tendencies on several occasions and played up to it in front of particularly raucous crowds. His Homelander-like attire and elaborate, pyro-filled entrances, accompanied by an entourage that would make Madonna blush, fit the image of an obnoxious prick that believed he was the good guy when really he was the biggest villain of all. And many people, including myself, thought this was intentional. It seemed like Cody was leaning into this meta character arc and that eventually, he would morph into full heel mode and make the turn official.
As suggested in the title of this piece, I believe a Cody Rhodes heel run in AEW could have been one of the best of all time. And that’s because there was real justification behind it. In interviews, Cody has said that turning heel and going back on his word to the fans would have been too predictable. But predictable doesn’t necessarily have to mean bad. Sometimes, predictable is also logical, and there was logic and reasoning behind a Cody turn. The once adored hero the fans rejected in favor of the new shiny toys would create the kind of justifiable resentment to form the basis of a heel turn.
A pissed-off Cody turning his back on the fans because they turned on him first is so perfect that it’s almost shocking it never happened. His character could remain in the right while still acting like a dick and taking his animosity out on the AEW crowd favorites. That would mean proper heel versus babyface feuds with Hangman Page and Sting and Moxley and CM Punk. It would mean going back on his word and winning the AEW World Title, preferably with his wife Brandi (also better as a heel) by his side. The mileage of the Cody heel character and the potential dream matches was almost endless.
But we never got that, and perhaps never will, all because Cody refused to change his on-screen character. In interview after interview, Cody has firmly stood his ground when it comes to not turning heel. Many thought this was part of the meta-story arc and would only add to the impact of the turn when it eventually happened. However, it’s become clear now that Cody was being completely sincere. He said he would retire before turning heel, emphasizing that his role as a new father and the head of AEW’s community outreach program meant more to him than “doing heel stuff on TV.”
“I am not turning heel, and I’m not going back on my word to challenge for the title. That stuff was real,” he told Pop Culture in late 2021, echoing comments he’d made to a fan on Twitter earlier in the year when he said, “After a decade of honing my skills at this, and the last 3 – 4 years of such a strong and growing connection with my fans… I’d be a fool to throw it away and swim upstream.”
Yet, the last year of Cody’s career has felt like he was swimming against the current of what many fans wanted to see. Sure, with new parental responsibilities and increasing his charitable work, you can understand him wanting to be a role model on TV and continuing the pure babyface legacy of his father, Dusty Rhodes. And wrestling is this weird artform where performers often straddle the line between reality and fiction, putting a lot of their true selves into their characters, which is certainly the case for Cody. But there is such a thing as separating the art from the person, and people (fans and performers both) should be able to make that distinction.
Roman Reigns’ current run in WWE is the perfect example of how much a heel turn can improve a character. Like Cody, Roman faced backlash from fans who grew tired of the company shoving him down their throats. His babyface character had passed its use-by date. The heel turn reinvented Roman’s image while only increasing his popularity. The same thing happened back in 1996 when a stale Hulk Hogan turned to the dark side and launched the NWO, leading to one of the hottest angles in wrestling history. Even uber babyface and highest Make-A-Wish granter John Cena was ready to turn heel in the late 2010s (having custom heel gear made and everything) before Vince McMahon nixed the idea.
If John Cena, of all people, was willing to turn, why not Cody? It’s not as if he lacks awareness. Anyone that has seen his appearances on the AEW backstage vlogs will know that Cody can be very self-aware and self-deprecating. But turning heel is the one bridge he seems unwilling to cross. Is that because he views being a bad guy as a reflection of his true self? Can he not separate Cody Rhodes the character and Cody Runnels the man? Or maybe he’s just addicted to the adulation of the fans and unwilling to give that up; it could be why he set himself on fire and dressed up as Fuego II, just to receive that positive affirmation from the audience.
In many ways, Cody reminds me of the character Ace Spade from the Starz show Heels. The Stephen Amell drama series revolves around an independent wrestling promotion owned by brothers Jack and Ace Spade. Ace is a clean-cut babyface who the crowd absolutely adores until something happens that turns them against him. Try as he might to win them back over, Ace is met with rejection. Jack knows it’s time to turn his brother heel; the fans not only demand it, but Ace is good at it, a natural if you will. But Ace resists, believing the mere suggestion of turning heel is an attack on his personal character.
“You do not have to be an asshole to be a heel. You got to be able to take the heat if you’re a heel, and you need to learn how to separate you the character from you the person. You cannot take this shit home with you. And when you’re starting out… that is easier said than done.” – Jack Spade, Heels.
We don’t know the exact reasons Cody chose to part ways with AEW, but I’d be shocked if his refusal to turn heel didn’t at least contribute. If Tony wanted the heel turn and Cody didn’t, it’s reasonable to think that it led to creative clashes. It would also explain the disjointed booking over the past year, with this half-measure, heel-but-not-really Cody character, which had the air of a forced compromise where neither party was particularly satisfied. It’s why despite the Pedigree teases, the “Cody Sucks!” chants, and his wife entering through the heel tunnel, Cody would still cut babyface promos and primarily feud with bad guys. In turn, it led to a baffling character involved in awkward storylines, which diminished Cody’s stock as a main event talent to the point where Tony felt it wasn’t worth meeting Cody’s contract demands.
As of writing, Cody is a free agent, and rumors suggest he is likely WWE-bound. It’s a surprising development given that Cody was an EVP at AEW and had a significant role in birthing the company. But it becomes less surprising the more you look back at his actions on and off-screen over the past year. I’m sure WWE will offer him a major money contract — and good for him. At
the end of the day, it’s his choice and nobody can take that away from him. He will undoubtedly receive the hero’s welcome he so craves when he first makes his WWE return. But how long will those cheers last? Six months? A year? What happens if the crowd turns on him again and Vince McMahon wants him to turn heel? Without the executive title and backstage influence, he might not have a choice next time.
Former AEW EVP Cody Rhodes has deleted an Instagram Story where he teases that he might be retired from pro wrestling.
Rhodes leaving All Elite Wrestling has been the biggest story of the past week; with the shock of a top-level member of the AEW management team deciding not to renew their contract.
Cody Rhodes posted an image on his Instagram of his child and pet dog with the caption “this is what RETIREMENT looks like.”
Although it is likely that Rhodes is just trolling fans, it is certainly not out of the realms of possibility for the former WWE Superstar to be hanging up the boots.
It is not currently known what Rhodes’ next step will be. The prevailing thought is that he will be making the move to WWE.
There are a number of backstage personnel in WWE who have been jumping for joy since the news of Cody leaving was revealed.
It was also claimed by Andrew Zarian on the We’re Live Pal podcast that it was WWE who wanted to get the story of Cody leaving before AEW themselves were able to issue an official statement. Which turned out to be successful.
Hopefully, we’ll find out more about Cody’s next career move in the coming weeks ahead of WrestleMania 38 in April.
Tony Khan was on Busted Open Radio today ahead of tonight’s episode of Rampage. During the discussion, he noted that he believes Cody Rhodes has something else in the works that led him to depart AEW.
“I wish them both really well and I appreciate everything they did here in their different roles in the company,” Khan said on the show. “It’s very sad and not something any of us wanted to happen, I think, but I believe that Cody’s got something else in the works, I’m not sure about that, but we’ll see. I’m sure they’re going to have great opportunities in wrestling and in life. You never know what’s going to happen in the future. I wish them the best and am very appreciative of everything they did here.”
Khan also said that he’s working on something big that will likely make headlines starting next week. He noted that it’s not something anyone will expect but it will be a big deal. The deal isn’t quite finalized, however, whatever it may be.
“There will be a lot of news in the week of ahead. I don’t know if I’ll get it done by tonight, but stay tuned in the week ahead, hopefully. I’m working on something pretty big. It would be massive. I don’t know if it’s what anybody would expect or think it is, but it would be a big deal in pro wrestling. I’m looking forward to hopefully making it happen. Stay tuned. I will hopefully get it done and have more to announce soon,” said Khan.
Cody Rhodes leaving AEW and returning to WWE is reportedly not yet a done deal. According to a report from Fightful, Rhodes has yet to sign with WWE and could still potentially return to the company. It is still expected that he will sign with WWE, however.
It was also noted that the 2nd season of “Rhodes to the Top” on TNT has not been cancelled. Filming for the season has already begun. Rhodes is also a judge on TBS’ “Go Big Show” as well.
Rhodes’ pending departure from AEW was also addressed recently in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer noted that people close to the situation believe that Rhodes was given a big offer by WWE to return to the company. It is also believed that Tony Khan did have the option to renew Rhodes’ contract for 2 more years as part of the 3-year deal they signed in 2019. It is not clear why Khan neglected to do so, however.
“Some close to the situation believed he got such a big offer from WWE after becoming a free agent that he couldn’t turn it down. But there is still the unanswered question of why his contract wasn’t rolled over because legally Khan did have control to prevent this from happening,” Meltzer wrote.
“Both Khan and the Rhodes family had agreed not to comment on the reasons for the split,” he continued.
Some close to the situation believed Cody Rhodes got such a big offer from WWE after becoming a free agent that he couldn’t turn it down.
It looks like Cody Rhodes is WWE-bound but not his wife if a new report holds true.
Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated is reporting that Cody is on his way to WWE after making his surprise exit from AEW. Cody was not only an on-air talent and EVP for the company, but he was also one of the founding members of AEW.
Cody In, Brandi Out
The report also notes that while Cody will be returning to WWE, Brandi Rhodes will not. Brandi had been a ring announcer for WWE under the name “Eden Stiles.”
There’s been much speculation regarding Brandi’s backstage reputation during her time with AEW. Wade Keller of PWTorch reported that not many people had nice things to say about Brandi and her role as Chief Brand Officer in AEW.
Keller’s report was disputed by Vickie Guerrero and Red Velvet on social media.
“Me and I think it’s very disrespectful and rude how you guys can make comments and have people believe things that are not true,” Red Velvet said. “Back off and just be happy for people in their new endeavors. Good day!”
Vickie Guerrero had the following to say about the report from Wade.
“This is disappointing, a story breaks and the media knows all the facts! I can vouch for Brandi Rhodes she is professional & my friend over 10 years…she carries herself with integrity on and off the camera.”
Time will tell if this report holds up but the signs seem to indicate that Cody is well on his way back to performing for the WWE Universe.
Cody Rhodes is gone from AEW. This is a blockbuster story with a lot to unpack. For those questioning if this is an angle, it’s not. This is a legitimate situation and not part of a storyline.
Cody’s AEW contract expired approximately six weeks ago, as first reported by Sean Ross Sapp. Cody has been working as a free agent since then, with negotiations ongoing.
Just two months ago, Cody tweeted, “I’m thankful to the fans that cheer and boo me because both are getting ready to go on a ride that’s just bizarre and not the path that you think. We’re not doing what’s been done before.” Little did we know at the time just how bizarre things would get.
During the early days of AEW, Cody, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks were all involved with planning longterm storylines and feuds. SEScoops has learned learned that Tony Khan assuming total control over the creative process was a big factor in Cody leaving AEW.
Of course, this is the wrestling business and these things always come down to dollars and centers. Cody Rhodes was asking for big money. How big? AEW refused to pay his asking price and allowed an Executive Vice President to walk out the door.
The talks fell apart on Monday when it became clear Cody and Brandi would not be returning. Cody’s pending departure from AEW was a hot topic of conversation behind the scenes at Monday’s Raw.
Is Cody Rhodes Returning to WWE?
WWE is said to be “very interested” in bringing Cody. They know the type of buzz Cody Rhodes returning would generate. The company is also keenly aware of the public perception that talent is discouraged and morale is low.
AEW has signed a lot of former WWE and NXT talent, which has reinforced these optics. Cody Rhodes would be the first AEW original to jump ship and we could see him thrown into a top WrestleMania program at any moment.
WWE has the cash to get this deal done, no matter what Cody is asking for. The general feeling within the industry is that Cody returning to WWE is inevitable.
Despite the reports of tension amongst AEW’s EVP’s, Cody Rhodes was very well-liked behind the scenes in AEW. As one of the co-founders of AEW, he’s been a mentor to young talent. Many AEW stars have been expressing their gratitude towards Cody on social media since this story broke.
Cody’s lost his last match against Sammy Guevara at Beach Break on Jan. 26. The company teased a feud between Brandi and former UFC star Paige VanZant at AEW Dynamite on Feb. 2. It’s unclear what the company had planned for Brandi and Van Zant. However after failed contract negotiations, both Cody and Brandi decided to test free agency.
Now that both his brother and sister in law aren’t with AEW, fans have started to wonder if Dustin would leave the company. However, he shared on Twitter that he is still with his employer and doesn’t plan on leaving.
I love my brother #CodyRhodes. I love my sister in law @TheBrandiRhodes . Whatever they decide to do in life, I support 110%. I am sad that they are gone, but the fucking train keeps moving. ???#LFG
Before joining AEW, Dustin felt that he lost his passion for wrestling with WWE. Under the persona Goldust, he has wrestled for and left WWE on different occasions over the years. His his last stint with the company lasted for six years. After feeling underutilzed with his former employers, he requested his release. While not immediate, WWE granted Dustin’s release on Apr. 21, 2019.
In an interview with AEW Unrestricted on Apr. 23, 2020, Dustin shared why he lost his passion for wrestling in WWE.
“When you’re sitting at home for a couple of months with another company who doesn’t value you at all, and you’re sitting there knowing you have so much more to offer. You kind of lose your passion, and for the first time in my 31 years, I lost my passion for the wrestling business,” said Dustin(h/t Anutosh Bajpai).
‘The Natural’ Dustin Rhodes
He also discussed the moment he decided to ask for his release in the interview.
“They just will not give me the time of day, and I had enough.” said Rhodes,” I said enough was enough, and for the first time, I kind of stood up for myself in a big way and said, ‘I am quitting. I am asking you for my release. I am done. I’m not happy here anymore, said Dustin(h/t Anutosh Bajpai).
Dustin signed a multi-year contract with AEW on Aug. 30, 2019. While he has no interest in leaving, it’s unclear if AEW will renew his contact when it’s up.
Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes have made their exit from AEW but there seems to be no bitterness.
It had been known that Cody’s contract with AEW expired and he hadn’t re-signed despite holding the TNT Championship. Many thought it was a work but when he lost the title to Sammy Guevara, he cut a backstage promo confirming the reports.
Just minutes after a report from ESPN’s Mike Coppinger claiming that Cody was done with AEW, it was confirmed by “The American Nightmare” and the promotion.
Happy Trails
Cody Rhodes issued a statement on his departure from AEW. Here is part of it:
“I have loved my time at AEW. Amazing locker room. Amazing fans. Amazing people. The ‘revolution’ was indeed televised, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to be part of that.
“First, I want to thank Tony Khan. He’s taken the baton and run with it, and it was an honor to work for him and to know him on a personal level. He’s a beautiful soul.
“Obviously need to thank my incredible wife and the mother of my baby girl, Brandi, for all of her love and support throughout this journey together and the amazing relationships she fostered with Kulture City and the American Heart Association.
“I also need to thank Nick and Matt Jackson (these two, whether they know it or not, took an undesired and not confident lil’ cub and gifted me the confidence to become a leader of the pack), Kenneth Omega, Chris Jericho, Chicken…we started the fire. I must thank Tim W/Keith M/Greg W and the amazing production crew who understood and captured the vision with such grace.”
Brandi Rhodes also commented on making her exit from AEW.
“A heartfelt thank you to every fan that has supported me in AEW. It was an honor to be the company’s first Chief Brand Officer. The thank you list is long so I’ll try not to wander.
“Thank you to Kulture City, Special Olympics Illinois and the American Heart Association for allowing me to cultivate these amazing partnerships. Thank you to every AEW Heel that helped me build a dream community of female fans.
“Thank you to every AEW wrestler and talent that worked hard to create a great locker room environment. Thank you to the production team, make-up team, and seamstresses. Thank you, Dustin, QT, Jerry Lynn and Leva Bates, for every ounce of energy, help and encouragement you provided.
“Thank you to my husband for being that constant rock and partner every single day. Thank you to TNT, TBS and WarnerMedia for treating my family like your family. Thank you to Tony Khan for giving me this opportunity and platform. I move forward with my daughter and this quote in mind.
“‘We must take time to define our own path. Too quickly we can find the world defining it for us’ – Unknown
“Also…
‘I’ll see you on the flippity flop’ – Michael Scott.”
For those wondering about the status of Dustin Rhodes, he’ll be sticking around. He took to social media to say the following:
AEW has been dealt a massive blow as Cody Rhodes has decided to leave the company along with his wife Brandi.
Reports had swirled regarding Cody’s contract status with AEW. The promotion and Cody didn’t try to hide it either. Following his TNT Title loss against Sammy Guevara at the Beach Break edition of Dynamite, Cody gave a passionate backstage promo where he confirmed he was working without a contract.
Cody & Brandi Gone
Shortly after a report from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter surfaced claiming that Cody’s AEW contract status was “up in the air,” Mike Coppinger of ESPN reported that Cody is indeed out of AEW.
Minutes after Coppinger’s report, both Cody Rhodes and AEW made the confirmation.
Here is a statement from AEW’s head honcho Tony Khan:
“Cody and Brandi Rhodes were integral to the launch of All Elite Wrestling. Cody’s ability combined with his boldness and his passion for our industry and his love for community outreach helped AEW deliver on our mission to give fans what they needed for far too long – something new, innovative and lasting.
“Brandi helped us shape the AEW story, and I appreciate how hard she fought for us both in the ring and out of the ring, competing in the women’s division while advancing our efforts at inclusion and civic causes, including great partnerships with Kulture City and the American Heart Association.
“I have immense respect and appreciation for Cody and Brandi, and I wish them both the best as they move on from AEW. Thank you, Cody and Brandi!”
The report from Coppinger noted that Cody does not have a non-compete clause. This means, he’s free to show up anywhere he pleases.
Speculation has run rampant for months on what Cody will do next. Many expect him to make his way back to WWE but time will tell if that’s what he plans to do.
After WWE announced Mickie James for the Royal Rumble, there is lots of speculation on which other outside names can appear at the show. One of the biggest names thrown around is Cody Rhodes, who recently confirmed that he is not under contract with AEW and AJ Styles is all for it.
The Phenomenal One recently spoke to WrestlingInc. During the talk, the former world champion was asked if he would like to see Rhodes at the Rumble and he said “Of course. Who wouldn’t?” Styles also called him out to make it possible:
“Well, I think I read it on your website that he said he wasn’t coming back. I don’t know about that. Cody, I am going to call you out man, I don’t know about that one.” said AJ Styles, “Because, you’re able to do independents while working for AEW, right? So what’s the difference?”
Cody Rhodes is one AEW star who has always been open to a potential crossover with WWE. During an interview earlier this month, he explained that they want to keep things fresh in AEW. The former TNT champion claimed that their doors are open if the right business opportunity arises.
Whatdo you think about the potential of Cody Rhodes making an appearance at the Royal Rumble tonight? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
