AEW recently released a surprising video featuring Cody Rhodes on its official YouTube channel, stirring speculation around the wrestler’s future. Known as the American Nightmare, Rhodes is currently the Undisputed WWE Champion and was instrumental in founding the Jacksonville-based promotion. Despite his significant role in AEW, recent developments hint at a possible Cody Rhodes AEW WWE return, intensifying industry chatter.
Will Ospreay, who has become a prominent figure within AEW over the past year and a half due to his strong fan connection, also appears in the footage. Over recent years, tensions between AEW and Rhodes have surfaced in various subtle exchanges, making this shared video, which highlights their 2017 ROH match, all the more notable. Typically, neither WWE nor AEW promotes former talent extensively through their social media channels, making AEW’s decision a major surprise.
Speculation on Reasons Behind Rhodes’ Departure from AEW
In 2022, Cody Rhodes shocked fans and insiders alike by announcing his exit from AEW, a company he helped establish. Although the exact motives remain unclear, the departure has sparked much debate within wrestling circles. Veteran Dutch Mantell shared his perspective on the podcast Story Time, suggesting Rhodes’s move was financially motivated. He argued that Rhodes’s strategy was always to join AEW, build his star power, and then return to WWE for a better contract.
“Well, I’ll tell you why he left. He got a good deal with WWE, and that’s what was his plan all along. To go to AEW, get pushed like a big star, which he did, and eventually make his way back to uh WWE. Well, if it’s not about money, that’s silly. It really is. If he got disrespected because of a personal issue, that’s his problem,” he said. —Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Veteran
Implications of the Video Release on Wrestling Landscape
The release of this footage by AEW has added tension to the already uncertain relationship between the promotion and Rhodes. It remains to be seen how the Undisputed WWE Champion will respond to being featured by his former company amid rumors of his return to WWE. This move may be both a subtle challenge and a nod to Rhodes’s storied history within AEW, underscoring the complexities in their ongoing dynamic.
Given Rhodes’s influence as a founding figure and WWE’s global reach, his choices will likely have significant repercussions for both companies. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching for any official comments or developments that could clarify this evolving situation and potentially reshape the future of top-tier professional wrestling.
