On Feb 15th 2022 it was announced on AEW twitter via a statement for AEW owner Tony Khan that Cody Rhodes along with his wife Brandi could not come to an agreement on a new deal and that Cody and Brandi have left AEW in both capacity as wrestlers and also Cody as Executive Vice President and Brandi as Chief Brand Officer for AEW.
Cody Rhodes then released his own statement following the news of him leaving
There have been many theories and lots of rumours and reasoning on the internet and in the wrestling world as to why. I thought we'd have a look at some of these and see if any make sense and what could be next for Cody Rhodes.
Firstly let me give my opinion as a fan for what its worth looking from the outside in.
I personally find it very strange that Cody Rhodes chose to leave right now. Cody was a successful EVP, His Wife a Successful Brand Officer, He had his own Show Rhodes to the Top and was a judge on Go Big Show. Plus he was also working with his brother Dustin Rhodes Close Friend Arn Anderson and even had a Group created after him The Nightmare Family.
Cody and Brandi have just had a child and as a couple and as a new family they are experiencing alot of new things at the same time. To me at a time like like you'd want as much stability in your life as you can both in life and in work to deal with the new challenges that now having a family brings.
Brandi also achieved alot in her role as Chief Brand Officer, and helped build alot of positive partnerships for AEW, along with AEW Heels, Kulture City and more. Cody Leaving had to play in Brandi Leaving and visa versa,
Lots of rumours have been thrown around let's look at those
Please take these for what they are these are rumour and opinion from the internet
Taking Time Away for Their Family
The main reason for both leaving they are both new parents and they are both leaving AEW to spend time with their new child, adjust to their new life and may come back in the future if that is something that everyone can agree on and works for all parties involved.
Cash and Creative
Jim Ross often says on his podcast if a talent leaves a company its usually due to Cash or Creative or both.
It has been rumoured that Cody Rhodes asked Tony Khan to match his earnings with the highest earning talent in AEW and that Tony Khan Wasn't willing to do that and pay Cody more than the other existing EVPs.
Cody couldn't be used in any AEW World Title matches (due to a clause in a match where if he lost Cody could never challenge for AEW World Title) that meant Cody could only be used in certain places and in certain feuds and hurt his ability to make even more money for AEW as a wrestler at the top of the card was limited.
In addition Cody had asked for more creative control after the reigns were pulled back by Tony Khan in early 2020 and felt like he was not able to have his vision in AEW and that what he signed up for wasn't what he wanted to be doing.
Cody Wanted to Challenge WWE
Similar to the above it was mentioned by Kenny Omega in a recent interview with Dave Meltzer that Cody wanted AEW to attack WWE be more aggressive towards WWE and be a bug challenger to WWE.
Kenny advised that wasn't what AEW was about and that AEW was created so that the talent would have a platform to tell their stories their way and that maybe their visions didn't see eye to eye.
Listen to Kenny Omega Interview below
Whatever Cody and Brandi do next i hope they do what is best for them and what makes them happy, you have to be happy in life that's the most important thing.
Thanks for Reading
@jon422002
Jonathan Orchard
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