WWE Champ Cody Rhodes Explains Why He’ll Always ‘Have An Eye On’ AEW

When new first broke in early 2022 that Cody Rhodes had departed from AEW — the company he helped build – many within the industry were taken aback. Now as Rhodes stands at the top of the mountain as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, nobody is questioning that decision any longer. Despite being gone from AEW, however, Rhodes admitted on “Busted Open Radio” that he still checks in.

“It’s just not something you can abandon in your mind,” Rhodes said. “In a sense of, “Hey, me, Matt [Jackson], Nick [Jackson], Kenny [Omega], Tony [Khan], Brandi [Rhodes], Bernie [Cahill], Chris [Jericho], Dana [Massie] started this thing.’ Especially if you were in those initial meetings… But I had said this before, I wouldn’t root against my former company, and I keep eyes on them.”

The May 17 edition of “WWE SmackDown” emanated from Jacksonville, Florida, which is known as the birthplace of AEW. It was here where Tony Khan was first linked to the fledgling promotion, and the place where many of the company’s first trademarks were filed. Rhodes commented on what it’s like to perform in Jacksonville under the WWE umbrella.

“Jacksonville’s a funny place, because always when WWE comes to Jacksonville, people ask, ‘Hey, how do they respond to you here?’ And I was really proud of how it was on Smackdown, because that’s really what it was. I spent a year — I spent my pandemic in Jacksonville — and all we were trying to do was get people through the toughest of times, get people through hard times with sports entertainment and with pro wrestling. So I’m always really appreciative that Jacksonville is appreciative of it.”

WWE Champ Cody Rhodes Discusses The ‘Narrative’ Changing About His AEW Contributions

Cody Rhodes currently reigns as Undisputed WWE Champion after knocking off Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 to finally finish his story and become the first in his family to win the company’s top title. Although it may be a while before the milestone gathers allure, Rhodes also became the first to become WWE Champion after making the switch from rival company AEW, having returned to WWE after leaving the company he’d co-founded in 2019. Rhodes opened up on his post-departure feelings towards AEW during a recent interview with “Cheap Heat,” explaining that he feels a lot has been taken away from the role he’d actually served over three years. 

“The narrative changed a lot about my contributions to AEW and that was very disappointing,” Rhodes said. “There were some people, I’m not going to say their names, they know who they were, who kind of tried to put some propaganda out when I left. There’s a quote in The Young Bucks’ book about how I was last to the signing. And me and Matt, Nick, are as close as ever. I’m so glad that I’ve had them in my career, in my life, but if we are being honest, AEW does not happen without me. It doesn’t. With that in mind, I could never root against it.”

Rhodes opined that fans may not grasp how much of a hole was left in his heart by leaving AEW, reasoning that he truly gave everything he could. Rhodes was EVP alongside Kenny Omega, Matthew, and Nicholas Jackson after helping form AEW with Tony Khan. After which, he would become a record-setting three-time AEW TNT Champion. He lost the title in his final match in AEW before returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38. 

Cody Rhodes feels AEW’s closure would have severe repercussions on the industry

Rhodes also addressed the sense of protection he has for AEW. He reasoned that it went beyond the emotional connection he has with the promotion and the talent he worked with, but rather that its existence is a net positive for the wrestling industry as a whole. 

“It’s very important that they [AEW] hang in there,” said Rhodes. “Because if that was to go away I don’t think anybody in the locker room has any clue the financial repercussions that would have on the wrestling business. The trickle down effect it would then have on independent wrestling. We’ve created a really comfortable environment in sports entertainment, for men and women to feed their families and to do well … I would hate to see that bubble burst. So that’s another random fear I have, when they’re down or if they’re up or whatever it may be.”

Rhodes has said before that he can’t and won’t disclose why he made the decision to leave AEW. However, he would dismiss money on the table or issues with fellow talent as relevant to the situation. Rather, he simply said he had left because of a personal issue, which of course allowed him to re-focus on becoming the first Rhodes to hold the WWE Championship. He has also revealed to Steve Austin that he didn’t want to become a gatekeeper, a role he had been booked into when it was stipulated he could never challenge for the AEW World Championship in a loss to Chris Jericho.

Why Kevin Nash Calls Cody Rhodes The ‘Perfect Fucking Champion’ For WWE

After two years of trying to finish his story, Cody Rhodes finally achieved his lifelong dream and became Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania 40. Since then, he has been riding high as the new face of the company, especially during WWE’s recent tour of the United Kingdom, where Rhodes has been in action on every single show.

Rhodes is one of the only top champions WWE has had in recent years that has a full-time schedule, which is why Kevin Nash stated on “Kliq This” that the mentality Rhodes has of wanting to perform on every show is why he is the perfect man to be at the top of the card. “The only old school guy that’s still in that locker room that’s of the new era is Cody,” Nash said. “Cody would work 300 fucking days a year and wouldn’t bat an eye, that’s why he’s the perfect fucking champion right now. He’s not going to take time off, he’s going to show up fucking an hour before anybody else, and sign 250 fucking belts.”

On the UK tour, Rhodes successfully defended his title against Shinsuke Nakamura each night, taking his total amount of defenses to five since WrestleMania 40 as he recently defeated Dominik Mysterio in a dark match after the April 12 “WWE SmackDown.” Rhodes will make his first televised defense of the Undisputed WWE Championship at the company’s next Premium Live Event, Backlash, which takes place on May 4 in Lyon, France, where he will face former WWE Champion AJ Styles in the main event. Rhodes also has his eye on The Rock for when he eventually returns to the company, as “The Great One” made it clear he will be coming back for Rhodes when he does eventually return.

Nic Nemeth Assesses How WWE Booked WrestleMania 40 Main Event

It may have taken place over a week ago, but Cody Rhodes finishing the story and defeating Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania remains the talk of the town. And this past Friday on “Busted Open Radio,” Nic Nemeth became the latest to chime in with his thoughts on Rhodes’ victory. Pointing out how impressive it was that Rhodes’ story remained captivating for multiple years, Nemeth believes WWE ultimately stuck the landing.

“It was the right call,” Nemeth said. “I knew, we all knew there’d be shenanigans, and people coming down. I was just hoping that one, it wasn’t nonstop run-ins from the heroes that you grew up on, and then they saved the day. I just wanted them to neutralize all the outside interference, and then get back to it.”

Like The Rock, Nemeth also took the time to praise Seth Rollins for his work in the storyline. In particular, Nemeth pointed out how much of a team player Rollins was in allowing his owns storylines to take a backseat in favor of highlighting Rhodes’ story.

“We were all a few months ago going ‘Who’s he going to tear it down with for the World Heavyweight Championship?'” Nemeth said. “And he puts it all on hold, multiple different times, to help one person tell one story that will lead the company down the line. 

“That’s a huge thing that we kind of overlook that happens a lot, and you have to remember that. You have to remember that when Seth needs a favor down the line, it’s time for Cody to jump on the grenade for him one day and go ‘Okay, you go tell your story brother.’ Because all we are is stories, and there just can’t be one.”

Cody Rhodes Provides Update On Potential Return Of ‘Winged Eagle’ WWE Championship

Cody Rhodes has finished his story and is the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, and he has a big shiny belt that he now gets to travel around the world with — or does he? 

Rhodes has made remarks in the past of potentially replicating a moment he had in his initial run with WWE if he ever won the company’s biggest prize, changing the belt design to something a little more classic in the same vein as when he brought back a vintage design for the Intercontinental Championship. Now that he is champion, there could be a chance that the belt design WWE fans have become used to for more than a decade might be getting fresh look.

During a recent appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” Rhodes showed up with his title belt that was so fresh that it still had Roman Reigns’ side-plates on it. He stated that because he got the belt in the ring, it means something to him and that there has been equity put into it. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t open to something different.

“I had changed a title previously in the past,” Rhodes said. “I am not in charge of anything, I am no longer an EVP, I have no stroke other than the fact that I’m the champion. But I just think it would be special perhaps to see a particular championship, one that I grew up on…”

This tease prompted chants of “winged eagle” from the audience in attendance, which Rhodes wholeheartedly agreed with.

“I’m not in charge of anything,” he said. “Triple H is charge of things, but you guys are damn right, the winged eagle.”

Rhodes concluded by stressing once again that if the winged eagle belt doesn’t make an appearance anytime soon, fans shouldn’t get mad at him.

Cody Rhodes Praises Roman Reigns’ Run As Undisputed WWE Universal Champion

Cody Rhodes finally finished his “story” this weekend after defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, ending their lengthy feud. While the rivalry was very heated and personal, Rhodes still seems to have a lot of respect for Reigns, which he expressed in a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“As a good guy on the program, that’s the hardest thing, especially in 2024, to keep their faith and I’m so blessed and luck that I was able to keep their faith and pay it off,” Rhodes said, thanking fans for sticking with him throughout the year-long angle and noted how difficult it is in 2024 to grasp and hold people’s attention for long periods of time.

“I noticed this Saturday night, right out of the gate, Roman showed up not like a champion ready to hand off his championship, he showed up in the best shape of his career,” Rhodes lauded. “He showed up as the best incarnation of the Tribal Chief.” Rhodes could not help but respect how long his story’s antagonist managed to hang on to the title.

“I don’t agree with how Roman was champion,” Rhodes began. “We go about how we operate in the ring completely differently, but still – and I really mean it – I’m proud that I beat him at his best and I hope that I can be half the champion that Roman Reigns was.”

Rhodes also put water under the bridge with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as both men shook hands and showed each other a modicum of respect following their emotional weekend, though Rock did promise he’d be coming back for Rhodes’s title.

Cody Rhodes Finishes The Story, Ends Roman Reigns’ WWE Title Reign At WrestleMania 40

Cody Rhodes has officially finished his story and captured the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Roman Reigns, ending his multi-year title reign, during the main event of night two of WrestleMania 40. The stipulation of the match was Bloodline Rules, determined by Rhodes and former World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins losing in the main event of night one to The Rock and Reigns. The match rules let the likes of Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, and The Rock interfere on behalf of Reigns, but Rollins dressed in SHIELD gear, Jey Uso, John Cena, and even The Undertaker came to Rhodes’ aid.

Reigns and Rhodes battled it out from the middle of the ring into the crowd, as anything was legal during the match. Multiple spears, Disaster Kicks, Superman punches, Cody Cutters, and more were hit during the battle. Rhodes was able to get the victory after hitting three Cross Rhodes in a row after Reigns was distracted by former SHIELD teammate Rollins.

Following his victory, Rhodes was joined in the ring by various babyfaces from the back, including Kevin Owens, LA Knight, Randy Orton, and more. His wife Brandi Rhodes, his mother and the family of the late Brodie Lee joined Rhodes in the ring as well. Rhodes got on the microphone following the match and thanked Bruce Pritchard, and asked Paul “Triple H” Levesque to join in as well, in celebration of what Rhodes called a new era, and the two shook hands and embraced. Rhodes continued to celebrate with various members of the roster. fellow WWE employees, and members of the crowd to end the show.

Triple H Admits He LAUGHED At This AEW Moment

Social media blew up when Cody Rhodes rather blatantly sent a message to Triple H during AEW’s very first pay-per-view back at Double Or Nothing 2019. Rhodes symbolically smashed up a throne with a giant hammer on the show, but…how did ‘The Game’ react?

Hunter told Allan & Carly that he “laughed about it then” and he’s still chuckling when thinking about the moment now. In fact, Triple H claims he’d “have done the same thing” if he “was in [Cody’s] shoes”. The stunt showed spirit, and got pro wrestling fans talking. It was a successful idea from that perspective, which is why Trips enjoyed it.

During the interview, Hunter raised an interesting point about some WWE stars fleeing the nest to find who they really are as performers. Drew McIntyre did something similar after being fired in 2014 – he was hugely successful worldwide on the independent circuit, then eventually returned to WWE as a bigger name.

Triple H says he couldn’t be bitter about the AEW throne incident, because it showed Cody was coming out of his dad’s iconic shadow and becoming his own man.

Dustin Rhodes Recalls Facing Brother Cody At AEW Double Or Nothing

In the early days of AEW, many fans argued that the company’s greatest match was a battle of brothers — Cody Rhodes vs. Dustin Rhodes at AEW Double or Nothing 2019. Though it was nearly five years ago, the match has stayed in the minds of fans because of the breadth of emotion and logical storytelling on display. During a recent conversation with Denise Salcedo, Dustin made a bold claim about the match in relation to the rest of his career.

“That was a very special night for me,” Rhodes said. “And I’ve listened to Cody [talk] about it. It’s not … his top match, he says, but man, it’s mine. … It’s very special in my heart.”

Rhodes then expressed pride at being able to deliver a match like that at the age of 50. The veteran recalled feeling nervous before hearing the crowd’s reaction, but those nerves went away once he got out in front of them. When they began chanting the name of his father, Dusty Rhodes, Dustin stated that the moment gave him chills.

“And then all the sudden, the sound and everybody in the arena become blurry to me,” Rhodes continued. “I’m so focused on Cody and what we need to do right now to get it to where it is. Because for years and years, I was told, ‘No.’ It wasn’t good enough to be on WrestleMania or whatever, so we had a thing to prove here.”

According to Rhodes, the two brothers were able to create magic in the ring together that night. The AEW star shared his belief that the match will eventually become remembered as one of the all-time greats.

As for his brother, Dustin said that he was sad when Cody left AEW while also understanding that it was a decision he had to make for himself. Cody saw unfinished business in WWE and took a chance with a major career move.

“He has a story that he’s had in his mind that he has to finish,” Rhodes stated. “I think he’s probably slated for it this year. At least I’m hoping. He doesn’t know yet, so we’re kind of just playing it by ear.”

He’ll be pulling for Cody come WWE WrestleMania 40, believing that one member of the family should win the top title in the company before all is said and done. Not only does Dustin feel that Cody has the wrestling talent to succeed there, but he’ll have plenty of business acumen to help him move forward in WWE as well.

This past Saturday, Cody won the WWE Men’s Royal Rumble match for the second year in a row, becoming only the fourth person to ever do so. Following the match, after making a quick reference to AEW EVPs Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks, Cody made it clear that he had his sights set on Roman Reigns for WWE WrestleMania 40. However, there is plenty of time left before the big event and a wide array of injuries. It’s too early to determine if that decision is set in stone, as evidenced by the interaction between Cody and Seth Rollins on last night’s “WWE Raw.”

Cody Rhodes Eliminates CM Punk To Win WWE Royal Rumble For Second Consecutive Year

Cody Rhodes has become the first person since “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches. Rhodes outlasted opponents like GUNTHER, Sami Zayn, Jey and Jimmy Uso, and CM Punk tonight to earn his place at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. After Rhodes eliminated GUNTHER, he and Punk went back and forth as the last two competitors. Withstanding several close calls, including a Pedigree from Punk, Rhodes was able to counter a GTS and launch Punk out of the ring for the win.

It seems as good as certain that Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania. The former AEW star faced Reigns at the event last year as well but came up short in the end. Since then, Rhodes has promised to fight for a rematch, allowing him to “finish the story” started by his late father, Dusty Rhodes.

Rhodes is now the fourth person in history to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row, joining Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Hulk Hogan. Since returning to WWE two years ago, Rhodes has had a lengthy feud against Seth Rollins before dealing with an injury to his pectoral muscle that took him out for more than six months. Rhodes returned to win the 2023 Royal Rumble before going on to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania.

With Punk unable to seal his fate for WrestleMania, he’ll undoubtedly look for another path toward Seth Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship. Tonight’s match saw Punk show a familiar, arrogant side of himself, possibly hinting at a move away from the more wholesome version of his character that has been on display since Punk returned at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames.