Cody Rhodes has been the center of many news stories recently after it was reported that the AEW star was working with the company without a contract. The American Nightmare defended his TNT championship against Sammy Guevara on the Beach Break special of Dynamite this week. He, unfortunately, lost the bout.
An emotional Rhodes was interviewed backstage after his loss and he told a story about his father Dusty Rhodes. He claimed that he has never felt more at home than in AEW, before addressing the elephant in the room:
“There are so many elephants in the room. This is an insane week in wrestling. People think that the Sean Ross story is BS, it’s not. I’m working here without a contract. I’m not even on payroll anymore. I’m working here on a handshake deal. That is 100% legitimate, I swear on Pharaoh’s life,”
Cody Rhodes noted how he is usually slow in getting his rematches but teased that he ‘won’t be so slow’ on getting a rematch for the title this time around. The now former TNT champion also mentioned how he helped bring Sammy Guevara to AEW and said that he is proud of the young star.
You can check out Rhodes’ comments in the video below:
Sammy Guevara has been upgraded from interim to undisputed status.
Going into the Jan. 26 Beach Break episode of Dynamite, Guevara was the interim AEW TNT Champion. Cody Rhodes was the main titleholder but something had to give on this night.
One WWE Hall of Famer isn’t buying into the idea that AEW will have a presence at the Royal Rumble event.
Since Chris Jericho and Hiroshi Tanahashi collided in Tokyo for Wrestle Kingdom 14, the “Forbidden Door” has been used as a way to advocate for cross-promotion. We’ve seen promotions such as AEW, NJPW, and Impact Wrestling working together.
Booker T Not Sold On AEW Talent At Royal Rumble
Recently, WWE and Impact Wrestling turned a lot of heads. Mickie James is the current Knockouts Champion, yet she will enter the Royal Rumble.
There’s been a lot of speculation regarding AEW stars potentially making the event but taking to his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T said he isn’t sold.
“I don’t see it happening. I just don’t see any AEW activity in the Royal Rumble or anything like that. There again, I could be wrong but I just don’t think something like that’s gonna happen right now at this time.
“AEW is definitely on their own wing right now, they’re doing their own thing and I just think something like that would just muddy the waters like crazy. The fans would lose their minds more than anything.”
Part of the reason why some rumors have surfaced has to do with the report from Fightful that Cody Rhodes is working without an AEW contract.
Reporters such as Dave Meltzer have shot down rumors that Cody Rhodes and Jon Moxley could appear at the Royal Rumble.
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Tony Khan has said that the #1 thing he looks for in any talent while hiring is professionalism and Tully Blanchard is a great example of the same. The wrestling veteran has been in the industry for more than four decades.
If he wants, he can sit back & relax and let others do the work for him. However, he has the old-school mentality of helping wherever he can. Even at 67 years old, he actively makes sure that his presentation on the AEW programming is unique.
Cody Rhodes recently had an interview with Barstool Wrestling. Talking about the wrestling legend, Cody gave an example to prove how professional he is:
“You wanna know how professional Tully is? Tully puts on his really cool sequined outfits or whatever he’s got that week and he’ll come into my office or he’ll check in with MJF. He’ll check in with others. He’ll say ‘hey, are you wearing something similar in terms of suit.’ Cause we do have a similar suit game.
This is a guy who has no reason to be checking in with us. That’s our job. Tully can wear whatever he wants. But he is such as good wrestler. That’s such an old-school thing. He is going around checking with the boys.”
During the same interview, Cody Rhodes also discussed his current character. He revealed whether he should be considered a heel or a face. You can check out his comments here.
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Cody Rhodes has developed a unique personality for himself on AEW TV. There are aspects of his character which are generally associated with babyfaces. However, he has also stated multiple times that he cares only about winning. That’s a mentality that is usually found in heels.
The TNT champion recently had an interview with Barstool Wrestling. He was asked whether he would describe himself as a babyface or a heel. Replying to it, Rhodes mentioned his most recent shirt that promoted him as a winner. He claimed that the shirt sums up his character really well:
“I think the shirt really sums it all up. I don’t have to be a babyface. I don’t have to be a heel. I just want to be a winner. I sincerely do. That’s the type of stuff I grew up on. In my household, we’re [New York] Yankees fans. Diehard Yankees fan.
Here’s why. Because Dusty grew up in Tampa, Little Yankee Stadium is in Tampa. We are Tom Brady fans. We are a New York Yankees fans.” said Cody Rhodes, “We like winners and part of being a winner is a lot of people are gonna root for you to lose and I am okay with that.”
Only caring about winning is generally a mentality that is found in the villains of the pro wrestling world. When asked about it, Rhodes claimed that it’s actually the wrestling mentality no matter how you look at it:
“No, it’s wrestling no matter how you look at it. Whether you are so immersed in the suspension of disbelief or you are somebody who covers it from just the behind-the-scenes aspect [of] wrestling. The winning guys make the most money. The winning guys get the most opportunities. That is a real thing.”
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Cody Rhodes was scheduled to face Sammy Guevara in a TNT title match tonight on AEW Battle of the Belts. He will have to miss the show, however, due to being in isolation with family that have tested positive for COVID-19. His brother Dustin will face Guevara in an interim TNT title match instead.
Cody recently took to Instagram stories to comment on both him and Brandi Rhodes being in isolation.
“I appreciate everybody reaching out. Brandi and I are in isolation with family that have unfortunately tested positive for Covid. It’s been a scary time dealing with such a strong virus and the complications that can come with it. We are doing all we can to nurse and protect the family during this time. I will remain in quarantine as long as needed. Everyday is more encouraging. Thank you immensely for your support and respect for our privacy. Thank you to AEW for understanding and allowing me to be where I am needed today, and for still allowing the TNT Title to be represented. I look forward to being back soon. All the love in the world!”
The updated lineup for tonight’s Battle for the Belts event includes Ricky Starks defending the FTW title against Matt Sydal. Britt Baker will still defend her title against Riho as scheduled. As previously mentioned, Dustin Rhodes will now face Sammy Guevara in a match for the interim TNT Championship.
Cody Rhodes has been pulled from his scheduled title defense against Sammy Guevara at the upcoming Battle Of The Belts event due to a medical issue.
AEW announced during this week’s episode of Rampage that the current TNT champion has been pulled from the upcoming show because he is not medically cleared to compete.
The company confirmed that his brother Dustin Rhodes will be replacing Cody in the match against Guevara at Battle Of The Belts. The winner will be crowned the Interim TNT champion:
AEW did not provide any further detail on the matter. So it’s hard to say what’s the exact issue Cody is facing or how long he will be out of action.
This leaves the fate of the interim TNT champion in question as well. We will have to see when the winner of this match gets to face Cody Rhodes.
Dustin Rhodes has not wrestled a singles match since the October 23 episode of Dynamite. Bryan Danielson defeated him in the first round of the AEW title eliminator tournament during the show.
AEW Battle Of The Belts is the first of the four Saturday Night Specials the company will be producing this year. It will be taking place from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 8.
All Elite Wrestling Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes believes going through a flaming table was foolish. However, he doesn’t regret it.
Rhodes spoke with ComicBook’s Connor Casey about his decision that shocked AEW fans. The moment happened during a Street Fight match with Andrade El Idolo on December 1, 2021, and Rhodes reversed suplex Idolo through the flaming table to win. While Rhodes suffered burns, he thinks Street Fight matches should be memorable in AEW.
Casey transcribed the following quotes.
“I’m going to try and keep my language somewhat clean, but (that was) maybe the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. But man, it was cool. Dumb, but also what a good image, in terms of just that’s how we do Dynamite,” said Rhodes. He continued, “That specific incident wasn’t so much about topping myself, I just hate in wrestling when you’ll hear, “Oh, it’s a street fight. It’s a Tupelo Falls Count Anywhere match or whatever,” and then it’s just Basic Betty, it’s checking boxes versus actually taking that level of danger into account. And that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to make sure people know that, if there’s a Street Fight on AEW, it’s a Street Fight. It’s going to leave you with a lasting memory and, ultimately, I think we did that.”
Cody Rhodes Past Dangerous Spots
In AEW, Rhodes has had several dangerous moments in matches. Shawn Spears hit Rhodes on the head with a chair at AEW Fyter Fest on June 30, 2019. Fans responded negatively to Rhodes and the company for allowing it to happen. AEW President Tony Khan shared after the event that the spot didn’t go as planned.
“We called the doctor immediately. It was obviously really regrettable what happened,” Khan said. Rhodes ended up needing 12 staples to close the wound on his head.
Rhodes also did a moonsault off the top of a steel cage in a match with Wardlow at AEW Dynamite on February 19, 2020. While he didn’t injure himself, people in AEW didn’t want him to do the spot. Rhodes shared that Khan didn’t want him to do the jump. However, the moment still went as planned.
On Saturday, Rhodes will defend his TNT Championship against Sammy Guevara at AEW Battle of the Belts. Guevara will try to reclaim the title after losing to Rhodes at AEW Rampage on December 25, 2021.
Cody Rhodes says he regrets almost everything about the angle he had with Olympic boxer, Anthony Ogogo. Rhodes was speaking to Brandon Walker on the Barstool Rasslin’ podcast when he commented on the matter.
“I regret almost everything about the Anthony Ogogo angle. Almost everything about it,” Rhodes said on the show.
Rhodes would continue to say that perhaps he wasn’t the best person to be speaking about race relations as he did during that storyline.
“A white guy talking about race relations, who has an American flag tattoo on his neck, I can see why people would use the terms ‘tone-deaf’ when it came to that,” Rhodes continued. “Then trying to defend it and all — Just again, intentions were good and sincere and I was so excited about Brandi and the baby but it just — That should have just been one where I went out and almost just winged it.”
“It set the angle in a tailspin where it just wasn’t a classic, USA vs. UK, fun-spirited deal. I was going to go over to the UK and have the return match. Now I just never want to think about it again.”
Rhodes’ promo can be viewed in the player below:
Rhodes defeated Anthony Ogogo at Double or Nothing 2021 in May. The following week, however, QT Marshall and Ogogo defeated Cody and Lee Johnson in tag team action.
Ogogo then took a 6-month hiatus from AEW. He returned on the December 1st show in Duluth, Georgia, wrestling on AEW Dark: Elevation. He also took part in the AEW Dark tapings at Universal Studios on December 3rd. Ogogo competed on the Dark: Elevation shows throughout December but was off last week for the show in Jacksonville.
Whether it be the reports of backstage rift with other AEW EVPs or the fan reaction to his bookings, in the past few months Cody Rhodes has found himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Now the latest comments from the All Elite Wrestling executive about the egos in the company’s locker room are only bound to attract some more negative reactions for the current TNT champion.
Rhodes discussed the growth of AEW in 2021 and what to expect in 2022 during a recent interview with Fite TV’s Fite in Focus. Talking about the backstage environment of the promotion, he claimed that it has its own egos and problems:
“I imagine it will be our biggest and most successful year yet. And I hope fans don’t take that as me being arrogant or anything of that nature. We continue to grow for three years and I don’t see us stopping, because we love it too much. We genuinely do.
If you come backstage at AEW, there is no place like it. It has its own egos and problems, people not liking each other.” said Cody Rhodes, “But for the most part, that’s the most team effort place that I have been part of in my life.”
As an active wrestler and an EVP of AEW, Cody has seen his share of promotional events. AEW doesn’t put on PPV shows regularly but when the promotion does, it’s usually met with high praise.
There are two PPVs, in particular, that stand out to Cody.
Cody Rhodes’ PPV Picks
(via AEW)
During an edition of FITE In Focus, Cody Rhodes was asked about any PPV that has stood out to him in the young history of AEW. He named Double Or Nothing from 2019 and All Out from 2021.
“I actually think it’s probably a really good sign that my favorite two PPVs, one of them I wasn’t on and that’s most recently All Out where Bryan Danielson joined us, Adam Cole joined us.
“That PPV and then of course, the one you mentioned, the original Double or Nothing. I know which PPV in my mind maybe I thought was softest.
“I’ve never thought a PPV we put out was weak by any means, especially bell to bell, but the original Double or Nothing that was a feeling like no other in that energy and what this was and what it could be in its constant evolution sense.
“And then to have three years later, All Out where big free agents, not just surprises but the bell to bell content of that show was significant and I think something for everybody.”
Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole
The 2019 Double or Nothing show featured the instant classic between Cody and his brother Dustin. The show ended with the surprise AEW debut of Jon Moxley.
As for AEW All Out in 2021, that show had a fantastic steel cage tag team title match between Lucha Bros and The Young Bucks. Fans also got to witness CM Punk’s first match since 2014 as well as the AEW debuts of Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole.
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Cody Rhodes won the TNT Championship for a record 3rd time on Rampage last Friday. The crowds continue to give him a mixed reaction and many fans are wondering if he’ll turn heel.
Rhodes was recently featured on Sammy Guevara’s vlog and teased that they are “not going the direction you think” with the angle.
“I’m thankful to the fans that cheer me, and I’m thankful to the fans that boo me because both sets of fans are getting ready to go on a ride that’s just bizzare, and not… it’s not the path that you think. We’re not doing what’s been done before,” Rhodes said.
Cody Rhodes holds the record of most title reigns with the TNT title (3). Darby Allin holds the record for most combined days with the title and the longest single reign with the belt at 186.
Rhodes holds the record for the most combined total defenses with 10. Darby Allin, Miro, and Rhodes are tied for most title defenses in a single reign with 8.
He also holds the record for most wins in a TNT title match with 13, including his 3 title victories and 10 defenses.
Sammy Guevara’s AEW TNT Championship reign came to end last night on AEW Rampage: Holiday Bash (taped Wednesday night in Greensboro). Guevara lost the title to Cody Rhodes, making Rhodes a three-time TNT Champion in the process.
Guevara won the title from Miro back on September 29th of this year on AEW Dynamite, making his reign a grand total of 84 days. It’s fair to say that most expected the reign to last even longer, and Guevara dropping the title at this point was a bit of a surprise as it seemed like his run had a bit of juice left.
Guevara took to Twitter to comment on his loss, writing, “What a beautiful life, 11 years of Blood, Sweat & Scars got me here. The ups and the downs, I wouldn’t change a thing. It wasn’t my night but it doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be. The journey continues.”
What a beautiful life, 11 years of Blood, Sweat & Scars got me here. The ups and the downs, I wouldn’t change a thing.
It wasn’t my night but it doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be.
Guevara kicked out of the Cross Rhodes at one point during the match on Rampage. He followed that up with a GTH and 450 Splash attempt, but Cody got his knees up. Rhodes then hit two Cross Rhodes and a Tiger Drive to earn the pinfall. He was presented the TNT title belt by David Crockett after the match.
Rhodes definitely received a mixed reaction to the victory by the crowd in Greensboro. It will be interesting to see which direction his character continues to take and whether or not Cody finally considers a full heel turn moving forward.
After the match, Rhodes got on the mic and made a comment to live the crowd about having “a feeling” in his “heel,” teasing a possible turn. He was then confronted by Team Taz member Hook, who came out and slapped Rhodes, teasing a possible program between the two.
What do you think is next for Sammy Guevara? Which direction do you think the Cody Rhodes character should go? Let us know in the comments section below.
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.
AEW Rampage Holiday Bash aired on Christmas Day and was taped from the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. Sammy Guevara defended the TNT Championship against Cody in the main event of the show.
Cody Wins The TNT Title For A Third Time
Sammy Guevara controlled the action early and Clotheslined Cody out of the ring. The TNT Champion posed in the ring as Cody took a walk through the crowd to regroup. Arn Anderson coached Cody up as Guevara continued to show off in the ring. Rhodes battled back and got the champion in a Headlock.
Guevara escaped and connected with an Arm Drag. Sammy followed it up with a Powerslam but Cody kicked out at two. Rhodes got Sammy in a submission hold in the middle of the ring and focused his attack on Guevara’s arm. Cody climbed to the top rope and went for a Moonsault but Sammy got out of the way.
Sammy connected with a beautiful springboard Cutter but couldn’t put Cody away. Guevara hit Cross Rhodes but Cody rolled out of the way. Guevara hit a ridiculous springboard 450 Splash on the floor outside the ring. Cody Powerbombed Sammy into the crowd and turned him inside out with a Disaster Kick in the ring.
Cody hit Cross Rhodes but Sammy somehow kicked out. Guevara then hit the GTH but Cody wouldn’t stay down. Sammy went for the 450 Splash but Cody got his knees up. Cody hit two Cross Rhodes and a Tiger Driver for the pinfall victory. The Rhodes family celebrated to a mixed crowd reaction and then David Crockett presented him with the TNT Title.
Eddie Kingston has shared what led to him signing with All Elite Wrestling and turning down WWE’s offer. Kingston credits Low Ki, Cody Rhodes, and his mother for helping him secure the biggest break of his wrestling career.
Kingston appeared on the Swerve City Podcast with Shane “Swerve” Stickland and Monteasy Jones to discuss his journey to AEW. In the interview, Kingston shared that he had an opportunity to be a developmental coach for WWE in the past but turned it down. He also shared that Low Ki helped him change his lifestyle and deal with personal issues last year.
“…The pandemic made me mature. It made me deal with issues that I did not deal with. That I shoved down,” said Kingston. He continued, “…During the pandemic, I dealt with a lot of things. I dealt with me being lazy. I dealt with me not being fully focused. You know what I mean? At the time, my boy Low Ki was there with me, and people can say whatever they want to say about him, but he helped me focus.”
During the pandemic, Kingston lived with Low ki. He shared before the pandemic, he went to the United Kingdom and had a hard time getting back to the United States. He ended up staying with Low Ki in Orlando, Florida. However, it’s unclear how long it lasted.
When speaking on Low Ki’s advice, Kingston said, “He was like, ‘what are you doing with your life. Now that you have this time off, what are you doing in your life.’ He just asked me that, and I was like, huh. It just clear as day came to me. It was like, okay, I want to do this, this, and this. He was like, ‘All right, get to work. You have time now.’ And I got to work.”
Eddie Kingston Calling out Cody Rhodes
Kingston refocused on his wrestling career after taking Low Ki’s advice and dealing with his issues. He revealed that he got his opportunity to wrestle for AEW after calling out Rhodes during Internet Championship Wrestling- No Holds Barred Volume 3:Deathmatch Drive-In 2 on July 4, 2020. After his call out, a representative from AEW asked if he wanted to come to do a match with Rhodes. However, Kingston didn’t view the opportunity as more than just a match and just wanted to get paid. At the time, he was selling his wrestling gear for money and had problems with paying off his mortgage. Kingston impressed AEW and fans when he made his first AEW appearance on July 22, 2020.
His Debut Match with Cody Rhodes
Kingston revealed that the aired promo before his match was his second attempt. He mentioned Rhodes as Cody Rhodes in the first promo, and AEW President Tony Khan told Kingston that he had to do it over. Rhodes couldn’t use his wrestling name during that time and was going by Cody. Regardless, AEW liked his debut, and he credits Rhodes as a good opponent.
“…They can say whatever they want to say about Cody, but that man danced with me that night. Cody could’ve been one of these old school vets that sat there and said, Oh, this guy likes to talk Sh*t. I’m on national TV; you get nothing,” said Kingston. He continued, “…But he didn’t. He went and there and worked with me, and I guess that match went well because I got a job like two weeks later.”
Kingston Choosing AEW Over WWE
After the match, people in AEW told Kingston he earned a job with the company. He also had WWE that wanted to sign Kingston. However, he listened to his mother’s advice and signed with AEW.
“…Did I entertain other possibilities? I entertained them, but again momma’s boy. My mother being my best friend. When I told her, hey, mom, I’m getting interest from a lot of people all of a sudden. She goes go to AEW. You won’t be happy at WWE,” said Kingston.
He explained, “… ‘She said yeah go there Papi, go there. You deserve to have fun.’ She said you deserve to have fun. I said okay, and that was it. It was a wrap from that point.”
Kingston has a win/loss record in AEW at 35-13. He is currently in a feud with Daniel Garcia and 2Point0.
Bully Ray isn’t convinced that AEW fans will hate on Cody Rhodes permanently.
There was a time when the idea of AEW fans turning on Cody was inconceivable. After all, Cody is one of the reasons AEW even exists. He along with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks gave Tony Khan a reason to invest in the wrestling industry.
Despite Cody’s efforts to bring as many eyeballs to AEW as possible, the fans are treating him like he’s a heel. It has left many puzzled including Bully Ray. With that said, Bully thinks the boobirds are temporary.
Bully Ray Thinks Cody Jeers Won’t Last Forever
On an episode of Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray shared his take on why he doesn’t see the fans booing Cody Rhodes over the long haul.
“I don’t think it’ll be full-blown yet. I think there’s still people out there who love and respect Cody for what he has done for AEW. It’s very hard to completely hate a guy that spends almost every waking minute of his day thinking about AEW. I mean, obviously, he thinks about Brandi and Liberty, his daughter but he is the backbone of the company. Kinda hard to hate him forever.”
Cody Rhodes recently laid down a challenge to TNT Champion Sammy Guevara. The two will compete on a special Christmas night edition of Rampage. That episode will be airing via tape delay.
Cody had been involved in a feud with Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo. He ended up defeating Black in their third match and put Andrade through a flaming table in their most recent encounter.
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AEW boss Tony Khan was on edge at the conclusion of the street fight between Cody Rhodes and Andrade El Idolo.
Rhodes vs. Andrade closed out the Dec. 1 episode of AEW Dynamite. The show emanated from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA. Fans got even more than they bargained for.
The ending of the match saw Brandi Rhodes return to set a table on fire. Cody planted Andrade with a reverse DDT off the turnbuckle for the win. It was Cody who took the brunt of it, however, as he landed back-first onto the flaming table.
Tony Khan Was Nervous After Cody-Andrade
Once the match concluded, all Tony Khan wanted to know was whether or not everyone was alright. Even Arn Anderson took a spill during the match.
“It was amazing. It was such a great street fight and thankfully both guys will be okay and they both will be able to wrestle again because that was a crazy match.
“That’s the kind of stuff that can shorten careers, end careers. So, we’re very grateful for both Cody and Andrade El Idolo.
“Great street fight main event and absolutely Cody sent the fans home very happy from that match. I really, really enjoyed the street fight although it was pretty nerve-racking backstage.
“But thankfully everything came out okay and when you have a match like that, that’s all you can really hope for is that the wrestlers come out okay.”
The flaming table spot certainly has its supporters and detractors. Some believe that Cody taking the worst of the spot took away from the ending. Just don’t tell that to Bully Ray.
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This week’s edition of AEW Dynamite saw Cody Rhodes and Andrade el Idolo crash through a burning table in the main event. The show was in Rhodes’ hometown of Atlanta and evidently he wanted to do something big that night.
According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, both are said to be okay following the big spot. Rhodes was treated for burns backstage but his injuries are not said to be serious.
“Cody Rhodes and Andrade el Idolo were both not badly injured when they went through a flaming table at the 12/1 Dynamite street fight main event,” wrote Dave Meltzer.
Rhodes did have some type of substance on his back that was meant to prevent burning from the flaming table spot. This was visible during the match but commentary noted that the substance must have been something from the trash can he was hit with.
Both men had bits of flaming table on them as they went into the pin. Andrade can be seen flicking bits of flaming wood off his and Cody’s body as the match came to a conclusion.
Rhodes and Andrade are now 1-1 against each other in singles competition. Andrade defeated Rhodes when they first met on Dynamite at the beginning of November.
Several members of the AEW roster who signed 3-year deals with the promotion in late 2018 or early 2019 are about to have their contracts come up for renewal. This was the case recently with the Young Bucks. Matt & Nick Jackson recently confirmed they are now under contract with AEW for 2 more years.
According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the Young Bucks’ contracts included an option for Tony Khan to renew for an additional 2 years. Khan picked up the option and they are now under contract until December 31st, 2023.
“The original contract also gave Tony Khan the option for two more years, which included a raise both of those years, which he picked up,” wrote Dave Meltzer.
Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, Adam Page and Chris Jericho also signed similar 3-year deals. Their deals are also said to include the option for AEW to renew by 2 more years. Provided Tony Khan chooses to exercise that option, they would all remain under contract until the end of 2023. There is no word on if those options have been officially picked up as of yet, however.
“I would expect all will be renewed but factually can’t confirm anything past many of them have,” Meltzer continued.
Bully Ray is fired up over the criticism he’s seen following the Cody Rhodes vs. Andrade El Idolo street fight.
Cody and Andrade had a memorable street fight inside the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA. The match closed out the Dec. 1 episode of AEW Dynamite.
The match came to a thrilling conclusion when Brandi Rhodes made her return and lit a table on fire. With Cody and Andrade perched on the turnbuckle, Cody nailed Andrade with a reverse DDT through the flaming table and scored the pinfall.
Some fans have been critical over the table spot because Cody ended up taking the brunt of it, going back-first through the flames.
On an episode of Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray said he thought the spot looked cool regardless.
“Cody took the fire, Andrade took the move. Could I say, ‘Cody should’ve never went through the table? Cody should’ve been selling more through the fire and this, and this?’ Yep, I could sit here and do that all day. Who the f*ck cares? It looked cool.”
Bully then proceeded to go scorched earth on the critics.
“If Cody botched it go get a table, go get some lighter fluid, light it on fire, film it in your backyard and do it better. ‘Cody botched it. Andrade botched it.’ What did they botch? Your mother botched you at birth.”
Well then.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio provided a brief update on the flaming table spot. He was told that “everyone is okay.”
That includes Arn Anderson, who took a scary spill on the entrance ramp.
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At Double or Nothing 2019, Cody and Dustin Rhodes clashed in a classic match. According to comments Dustin made recently on the Way of the Blade podcast, it was a match that both had frequently pitched to have at WrestleMania.
“I had fought so hard every single year to get to work my brother at WrestleMania,” Dustin said. “And point-blank, Vince (McMahon) would always tell me, ‘This match is not good enough to be on WrestleMania’. That pissed me off, that pissed me off bad. And it was hurtful, and it did something to me. It really depleted every ounce of passion that I had. I fought for it every single year, Cody too. We both fought for it every year.”
Dustin also spoke about not being permitted by WWE to work the All In show. He spoke about thinking his wrestling career was over until he was given the chance to face his brother at Double or Nothing.
“So to get offered this with Cody and Tony Khan, to this new fanbase and this upstart company AEW, on this PPV? And I watched All In on PPV at home. It was like ‘Okay, here we go.’”
While the match is widely considered one of if not the best match in both their careers, Dustin said he was not feeling confident going into it.
“I’m very excited about this but not confident at all. I was very lost in my confidence and passion, like I said. And very unsure about my ability to step into the ring with my brother and deliver a very explosive match for him.”
The match received a 5-star rating from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In the main event of last night’s AEW Dynamite Cody Rhodes and Andrade El Idolo went through a flaming table. After the move, Rhodes pinned Andrade while both men still had bits of flaming table attached to them.
“I was told everyone is okay,” said Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio regarding the flaming table spot (as well as Arn Anderson’s fall off the stage).
Following the match, AEW posted several photos of Cody’s burnt back to social media.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CW905UiAY9v/
Cody Rhodes has a habit of doing big moves in Atlanta. He previously did a moonsault off the top of a steel cage when wrestling Wardlow in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena in February of 2020. He would later speak to Sports Illustrated about the spot.
“That was a very Terry Funk style of a moonsault,” said Rhodes. “I’m a bigger guy than people think, so the moonsault doesn’t come off easily.”
“The only piece of thinking in my mind was to throw my head back,” Rhodes continued. “My body will go where my head will go, that’s something John Laurinaitis and Dean Malenko told me when I first started doing the moonsault. As long as I threw my head back, I knew I’d be OK.”
Last night’s main event was the second time Rhodes and Andrade have faced off in singles action. Andrade defeated Rhodes the first time they met back on the November 3rd, 2021 episode of Dynamite.
Cody Rhodes insists he’s still in communication with the core members of AEW.
Rhodes is one of the key figures that started a movement that would eventually lead to AEW. The others were Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. Their efforts ultimately led to Tony Khan gaining the confidence to start a new wrestling promotion.
While everything seemed to be smooth sailing between the four, it had been rumored that Omega and Young Bucks have distanced themselves from Cody. It’s even been speculated that Cody doesn’t talk to his fellow EVPs anymore.
Cody Rhodes’ Relationship With AEW EVPs
During an interview with Sports Illustrated, Cody Rhodes claimed that he’s still in contact with Omega and The Young Bucks.
“As of now, my future is with AEW. AEW would be very strange without the core members of the revolution. We all still talk. We all have this admiration for each other. I can’t see myself anywhere else, and I’m very optimistic about what the future holds.”
Rhodes went on to discuss how far AEW has come in a short period of time.
“We’re essentially at the three-year point of AEW, and our stability is the tell-tale sign that our vision was the proper vision. We have such a stable company that Bryan Danielson decided to cross that line, that CM Punk decided to join after seven years away, that Adam Cole—who was being groomed to be a massive star in WWE—decided to cross the line. And that’s not a knock on them, it just shows that we have built a very stable infrastructure.”
Cody has been involved in a storyline with PAC, Malakai Black, and Andrade El Idolo. On the Dec. 1 episode of AEW Dynamite, Cody will be taking on Andrade in a street fight.
The last time Cody was in the ring with Andrade El Idolo, he ended up getting pinned thanks to interference from FTR.
Brandi and Cody Rhodes’ “Rhodes to the Top” reality series has been renewed for a second season, according to a report from the Wrestling Observer. The first season consisted of 13 episodes and has a 48% approval rating currently on Rotten Tomatoes.
The first season of the show averaged 360,000 viewers per episode and a 0.15 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
Episodes of the show are also available for viewing on TNT’s website here.
“Rhodes to the Top will take viewers behind-the-scenes as the powerhouse couple manage their ever-busier lives inside and outside the ring, all the while surrounded by a colorful and often hilarious motley crew of wrestlers, family and friends who both support and test them at every turn. Married in 2013, Cody and Brandi have been on an unprecedented path to wrestling greatness, but will now face their newest and possibly biggest challenge yet,” reads a description of the show on TNT’s website.
In an interview with the Wrap, Cody explained how the show peels back the curtain on the wrestling industry.
“Me, being an old-school wrester, that was always so taboo and almost scary to really pull the curtain back that far,” Rhodes explained. “But it’s almost insulting the audience’s intelligence not to do it this day and age because we have such a hardcore fan, a super fan that makes up the base of who watches AEW.”
It was recently revealed that the Young Bucks have signed contract extensions with AEW that will take them into 2024. According to comments made by Wade Keller of PW Torch, some talent in the company with expiring contracts are wondering what type of deal they will get when their current contracts expire.
“There are people I’ve talked to in AEW who are looking at their contracts and wondering what their deal is gonna be next time when their first deals come up,” Keller said. “And how much leverage they’re gonna have with WWE or New Japan or heck, GCW with their ticket sales these days or the indie scene as an option to book yourself. It’s gonna be interesting to watch.”
With the Young Bucks now having re-signed, AEW reportedly wants to get the other 2 EVPs to re-sign as well. Keller continued to say that he’s heard Tony Khan wants to lock up Cody Rhodes and Kenny Omega for more years as well.
“I have heard the intent and the hope is that Cody and Kenny and Tony all come to deals,” Keller said. “There’s not signs that any of them want to leave or are disgruntled to the point that they shouldn’t be able to come to an extension but I don’t know the situation.”
“Maybe Cody and Kenny already signed extensions and they kept it quiet. Actually, I’m pretty sure that hasn’t happened now that I think about it from people I’ve talked to. I think Cody and Kenny might be next in terms of signing extensions.”
The Elite Sign With AEW
Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and the Young Bucks were all named EVPs of the company in addition to signing as talent in early 2019/late 2018. The promotion was officially announced on New Year’s Day in 2019. The announcement was made in a video posted to the “Being the Elite” YouTube channel. Hangman Page signed with AEW as a talent only. Then-Elite member Marty Scurll was still under contract to Ring of Honor and would eventually re-sign with that promotion before being officially released in early 2021.
