Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens recently highlighted their longstanding relationship with The Young Bucks, drawing attention to the unique ties binding WWE and AEW stars. This discussion, centered on the Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens AEW connection, unfolded during a new episode of Rhodes’ podcast and offered rare public acknowledgment of their friendship and history across different wrestling promotions.
When Cody Rhodes made his exit from WWE in 2016, it was Kevin Owens who reached out to Matt and Nick Jackson—The Young Bucks—with a personal request. Owens, having wrestled alongside the Bucks and Sami Zayn on the independent circuit, asked them to help guide Rhodes as he adjusted to life outside WWE. That connection played a vital role in Rhodes joining Bullet Club, which then steered him toward The Elite, setting the stage for larger developments in the wrestling world.
The collaborative spark between Rhodes, Owens, and The Young Bucks ultimately led to the creation of the original All In event, long before Tony Khan’s involvement. This event became a cornerstone, laying the groundwork for what would evolve into All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Despite taking separate paths as their careers advanced—Rhodes and Owens moving away from The Young Bucks’ AEW leadership—all remain close friends behind the scenes, demonstrating the deep bonds that persist even as promoters and brands change.
How Kevin Owens and The Young Bucks Supported Rhodes in His Transition
The assistance that Cody Rhodes received from both Owens and the Bucks marked a pivotal moment in the interconnected web of modern wrestling. Kevin Owens, recognizing the difficulties faced by Rhodes in navigating the independent scene, leveraged his long-standing ties with the Bucks, setting off a chain of events that would see Rhodes become a part of both Bullet Club and The Elite. This journey not only boosted Rhodes’ profile but also illuminated the importance of camaraderie among wrestlers, especially when changing promotions or dealing with career uncertainty.
Recently, this history was revisited when Kevin Owens appeared as a guest on Cody Rhodes’ podcast,
“What Do You Wanna Talk About?”
During their conversation, the two raised a toast to Matt and Nick Jackson, reinforcing their connection and respect.
The Evolution of the Indie Wrestler’s Path to Success
During the discussion, Owens touched on his own influential role in helping shape the modern independent wrestling landscape. In the early 2010s, as Owens worked with stars like Sami Zayn and The Young Bucks, he struggled to support himself financially. He turned for guidance to Colt Cabana—a recognized pioneer in independent wrestling self-promotion—who introduced him to the owner of One Hour Tees. This move was instrumental, as One Hour Tees later grew into Pro Wrestling Tees, a major avenue for wrestler merchandise sales that even top wrestling events and stars now use.
As Owens recounted the origins of this crucial development, he detailed the impact it had on himself and several key figures in wrestling:
“He’s like, ‘Some wrestlers cannot afford to make shirts ahead of time,’ and then they came up with this concept because of me. Because Colt was trying to help me. And then the first ones on the site were me, the Bucks (The Young Bucks), Colt, and the site grew and grew,” said Owens.
Owens would go on to sign with WWE in 2014, while The Young Bucks continued to innovate, using the model he helped launch to build their own audience and inspire others. Wrestlers like Matt Cardona and Danhausen later benefited from this new system, following a blueprint established by Owens, the Bucks, Cabana, and others in their circle.
To this day, Rhodes, Owens, and The Young Bucks maintain a strong bond, demonstrating that personal connections often bridge the gaps between promotions like WWE and AEW. The ongoing influence of their shared history continues to shape the industry, offering opportunities for future stars and reinforcing the idea that wrestling’s vibrant community often transcends company lines.
