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.

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.

Seth Rollins Talks His Ethnicity, If He’s Mean To Fans In Real Life

Source: The Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Tribune has an interview with WWE Champion Seth Rollins, who was promoting tonight’s RAW in Chicago. Below are a couple of highlights:

If he is Latino since his last name is Lopez:

“No, I’m half Armenian and half German and Irish. My biological dad was Armenian. My last name is Lopez and I have a darker complexion, which throws people for a loop. My mother’s first husband is Mexican. That’s where I got Lopez. I grew up eating Mexican food at home, but he was very American. He didn’t grow up in Mexico or speak Spanish.”

If he is mean to fans outside of the ring:

“I’m not mean to fans because I’m a bad guy. I’m mean to them because they’re rude. If they stalk me at the airport at 4 in the morning, don’t expect to get a picture. That’s not OK. They can’t hang outside my hotel or come to the gym and stare at me for a half hour and expect me to be like “Cool. Awesome.” My favorite thing is to just run into fans coincidentally. Today the National Car Rental guy recognized me and got so excited and wanted to take a picture. Awesome. It was a fan that happened to run into me. To me, there’s a distinct difference. Don’t get me wrong — our fanbase is super passionate and I love them, but there’s a difference between stalking me at the airport and just happening to see me.”

Seth Rollins On Which WWE NXT Talent He Wants Called Up, Working With Triple H, His Critics

Source: The Miami Herald

Scott Fishman of The Miami Herald recently spoke with WWE World Heavyweight and United States Champion Seth Rollins. Below are highlights:

Turning his doubters into believers:

“Everyone is a naysayer. Everyone has an opinion. Half the people love me and half the people hate me. A few months later and it all flip-flops, it doesn’t matter to me. I just go out there and do the best I can. I’ve been doing this a long time, so I know when things are going well and when they’re not. It’s nice to have people appreciate what you do though. Our fan base is super passionate and always has an opinion, and that’s awesome.”

Which NXT talent he would like to see called up to WWE’s main roster:

“I would like to see Bayley. She is my favorite who is not up here and being used. So hopefully she gets a shot soon.”

Working with Triple H:

“Triple H has been incredible to work with. Triple H is the ‘Cerebral Assassin.’ His best advice to me is to make sure you always, always come out on top.”

Paul Heyman Reveals Why CM Punk Left WWE

Story Courtesy of Grahame Herbert WhatCulture.com

Paul Heyman appeared on Chris Jericho’s ‘Talk Is Jericho’ podcast this week, shedding light on the details surrounding CM Punk’s sudden and mysterious January WWE exit. Heyman is of course a legitimately close friend of Punk, in addition to having worked with the wrestler in Raw storylines for much of the past two years.

“He was unhappy. He had enough. He couldn’t take it anymore,” Heyman states, “A year before he walked there was daily conversations of, ‘I don’t think I’m going to be able to take this. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be here. I don’t know how much longer it’s going to be before I just decide to go home.’ … I’m surprised it lasted that long.”

So there you have it, CM Punk left WWE because he was mentally and physically worn out. This backs up other reports that the star was really struggling with physical fitness, Mick Foley previously stating that whenever he saw Punk the star would be clad in an ice pack or nursing an injury. It wasn’t just a physical tiredness that made Punk walk though, Heyman reveals that the former WWE Champion was emotionally drained. In Heyman’s mind, Punk had lost his passion.

“Every day with him was an exercise in him finding the balance to simply continue on and find the passion he needed that he to do it. And I think what happened was he walked in the day after the Royal Rumble and he couldn’t find that passion.

“He couldn’t convince himself or persuade himself, ‘OK, whether I’m happy or not this is about the performance, my legacy. It’s about I take pride in what I do. And whether I’m happy or unhappy when I go out there I’m going to be the best CM Punk I can be.’ And I think somewhere during that day he couldn’t find that.”

Walking out was Punk’s prerogative, but it was a real shame that this couldn’t have been done in a more professional way. It would have been better for everyone involved if WWE and Punk had sat down and discussed the issues. Surely a period of time off could have been granted, followed by some sort of character role until his contract expired this July.

It’s a tough business and Punk obviously felt he had nothing left to give. That’s what makes someone like John Cena so impressive, the longevity he has displayed running on top for nearly ten years is staggering. Take into account Cena’s schedule, he is almost always on the job, appearing or working for WWE in multiple capacities. People wanted CM Punk to be that guy, they wanted him in the top spot, but ultimately it takes a very special worker to really master the demands of that role. Punk burned out and lost the passion to work for it.

Macho Man Randy Savage to be inducted in WWE Hall of Fame in 2015

By: Steven Smirfitt

The rumor of the day that is making it’s rounds is that Randy Savage will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next year.

Savage left the WWE in 1994 for World Championship Wrestling and while many rumors as what lead to Savage’s departure from the company have made the rounds over the years nothing concrete has ever surfaced.

Many people have speculated for years as to whatever caused this split was one of the biggest reason’s the company choose to wait so long to inducted Savage.

Savage passed away in June 2011, and one of the biggest reasons for the company not inducting him right after his death, is that Savage had stated that it was his wish the entire Poffo family went in together.

While that doesn’t seem like the case, the reason for the induction possibly coming to fruitition this year stems from a report from that WWE is working on a new Blu Ray/DVD project on the Macho Man that features a full documentary.

The Documentary is suppose to feature a large contribution from Leapin Lanny Poffo, the real life brother of Randy Savage.

Savage’s Accomplishment’s in the world of professional wrestling are numerous but here’s a list of few notable ones:

2 Time WWE Champion

Main Evented Wrestlemania IV and Wrestlemania V

1 Time Intercontinental Champion

Rated Greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time on a recent WWE.com article

4 time WCW World Heavyweight Champion

Winner of WCW World War 3 Battle Royale (1995)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI Comeback of the Year (1995)
PWI Feud of the Year (1997) vs. Diamond Dallas Page
PWI Match of the Year (1987) vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1989)
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1988)
PWI Wrestler of the Year (1988)

Savage was also one of the best known pro wrestlers in mainstream media with his trademark OHHHHHHHHHHH Yeah catchphrase, and pitches for slim jim’s products, along with appearances in movie’s like 2002’s Spiderman.