In the latest Cody Rhodes AEW WWE update, surprising moves have emerged from the wrestling world involving top stars like Cody Rhodes and Mercedes Mone. This week, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) released footage of Rhodes’ 2017 Ring of Honor match against Will Ospreay on their official YouTube channel, a rare move given Rhodes’ current WWE status. Such recognition from the Jacksonville-based AEW was unexpected since promoting talent signed with rival WWE is uncommon.
Cody Rhodes, a foundational figure in AEW’s creation, departed AEW in 2022 to rejoin WWE, where he achieved the career milestone of winning the WWE Championship — a title his late father, wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, never held.
Mercedes Mone Faces Controversy During AEW Dynamite Match
During the August 20 episode of AEW Dynamite in Glasgow, Mercedes Mone became the center of attention after a contentious moment in her tag team match alongside Athena against Toni Storm and Alex Windsor. Windsor placed Mone in a Sharpshooter submission hold, and Mone was seen tapping out with both hands. However, since Mone was not the legal competitor in the ring at that moment, the referee did not acknowledge the tap, and her team ultimately won the match.
This incident sparked debate on social media and wrestling broadcasts. Alex Windsor later claimed on AEW Collision that she had forced the reigning TBS Champion to submit, while Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, denied the occurrence in a public response on Instagram.
Despite the controversy, Mone continues to hold nine titles across multiple wrestling promotions and recently expressed ambitions to break Ultimo Dragon’s record for the most titles held simultaneously.
AEW Tag Team The Righteous Reportedly Heading to WWE
Meanwhile, notable tag team The Righteous, composed of Vincent and Dutch, appears poised to join WWE after requesting their release from AEW in May 2025. Despite showing promise within AEW and Ring of Honor, the duo opted to pursue new career paths outside AEW.
Fightful reports that Vincent and Dutch are close to finalizing their contracts with WWE and plan to conclude their independent appearances before entering WWE’s Performance Center for further training. Additional confirmation from BodySlam.net reveals longstanding WWE interest in the team, with Triple H reportedly playing a key role in courting them.
This move fits a recent trend where WWE has actively signed multiple former AEW talents, including Mariah May, The Lucha Bros., Ricky Starks, Malakai Black, and Rusev.
Chris Jericho’s Future and Dutch Mantell’s Perspective
Speculation surrounds Chris Jericho’s contract with AEW, which reportedly expires at the end of this year, fueling rumors about his potential return to WWE. Dutch Mantell, a veteran wrestling manager, expressed skepticism about Jericho returning to the ring with WWE due to his physical condition and age.
“You know, I think he’s a great talent, but he’s a little bit, as they say, long in the tooth. I mean, when you get out of that ring, and you get out of that, then you get out of shape, and you know, it gets harder and harder and harder,” —Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Veteran
Despite doubts about Jericho’s in-ring return, Mantell did suggest WWE might employ him in other capacities such as managing, serving as an on-screen spokesperson, or working backstage as an agent.
Wider Implications for AEW and WWE Talent Movement
The recent developments reflect ongoing shifts in the competitive landscape between AEW and WWE, with talent movements significantly impacting both promotions. AEW’s decision to showcase Cody Rhodes’ earlier work while he is now a WWE star indicates a complex relationship between the two companies. Meanwhile, Mercedes Mone’s controversy highlights the intense scrutiny on AEW’s champions and the high stakes in its programming.
The arrival of The Righteous to WWE underscores WWE’s aggressive recruitment from AEW’s roster, signaling potential changes in WWE’s tag team division. Moreover, Chris Jericho’s uncertain future amplifies the ongoing dialogue around veteran wrestlers transitioning between active performance and alternative roles within the industry.
Going forward, fans and industry watchers can expect more surprises as AEW and WWE continue to compete fiercely for top wrestling talent, with shifts like these shaping the evolving dynamics of professional wrestling.
