Cody Rhodes has opened up about the uncertainty and risk involved in leaving AEW to make his WWE return in early 2022, a move that surprised the wrestling world. This significant decision led to his WrestleMania 38 match against Seth Rollins and eventually propelled him into the WWE spotlight as a main-event star.
Cody Rhodes’ Pivotal Decision to Leave AEW for WWE
As a founding member and Executive Vice President of AEW since its 2019 launch, Cody Rhodes played a crucial role in shaping the promotion alongside owner Tony Khan. Despite holding an influential executive position and enjoying his work with groups like the Bullet Club, Rhodes chose to leave AEW and wrestle again in WWE, his original home company. This move came after six years away from WWE, marking a bold gamble in his career.
Rhodes reflected on this period during The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast, sharing the complexity of his decision.
“I had a good gig. Contrary to what you hear, I had a good gig. I had an executive job. I loved the Bullet Club guys. Evolving and moving myself forward, it was a lot to weigh out,”
he said.
The Uncertainty Surrounding the WWE Return
Despite the opportunity WWE presented, Rhodes admitted he wrestled with doubt about whether coming back was a mistake, viewing it as possibly the biggest gamble of his life. He revealed his fears during the same podcast conversation, explaining that WWE hadn’t fully recognized his potential the first time he was there.
“Obviously, opportunity is amazing, but I had to weigh it out. ‘Is this a mistake? They didn’t see it the first time. They saw a little, but they didn’t see it.’ You think the first time leaving was the biggest mistake ever. Coming back, my fear was, ‘this could be the biggest gamble of all.’”
?Cody Rhodes, Wrestler and Executive Vice President
“Had I gone and belly flopped in the pool, it wouldn’t have hurt WWE at all. It would have been, ‘See, he wasn’t. He was little league all along.’”
?Cody Rhodes, Wrestler and Executive Vice President
These concerns underscored the high stakes for Rhodes, who risked his reputation on this return. Fortunately for him, his gamble has paid off substantially.
Cody Rhodes’ WWE Success Since Return
Since rejoining WWE, Cody Rhodes has transformed his career, capturing the WWE Championship twice and headlining three WrestleManias, including a main event against Roman Reigns. His rise has positioned him as one of the company’s premier talents, validating his risky decision to leave AEW behind despite his executive role there.
His next major challenge awaits at the WWE Royal Rumble event on January 31st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Rhodes will attempt to win the Royal Rumble match for the third time in his career. This victory would further cement his legacy as a top WWE superstar.
Overview of WWE Royal Rumble Match Lineup
The Royal Rumble event will feature several high-profile matches and has generated considerable buzz leading up to the show. The key matches scheduled are:
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match – Cody Rhodes aims for a historic third win
- Undisputed WWE Championship – Drew McIntyre (c) versus Sami Zayn
- Women’s Royal Rumble Match – featuring emerging female stars
- AJ Styles versus Gunther – with the added stipulation that Styles must retire if he loses
The event will stream live on January 31 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, exclusively on ESPN in the United States and Netflix internationally, showcasing WWE’s expanding global reach.
Other Notable WWE Developments Ahead of Royal Rumble
Speculation about Vince McMahon’s involvement has dominated recent discussions, but reports confirm he will not return for the Royal Rumble, ending rumors of a reunion with WWE at the event.
Adam Pearce has officially confirmed Brock Lesnar’s participation in the men’s Royal Rumble match, ending controversy over Lesnar’s status.
Wrestling personalities such as Logan Paul have suggested that some of the biggest stars might face off during the Royal Rumble, raising excitement for the event.
Broader Wrestling News Impacting WWE and AEW
Additional stories include former WWE Champion making a surprise debut on AEW television, marking a significant crossover between the two companies. Meanwhile, an ex-WWE star is preparing to return to the ring after neck surgery, creating buzz about upcoming returns.
In WWE, a young 24-year-old female star is being tipped to win the Women’s Royal Rumble in 2026 after making her main roster debut in 2025, signaling the rise of new talent. Furthermore, a real-life member of the Bloodline faction has confirmed plans to debut in WWE, sparking anticipation among fans.
Cody Rhodes’ decision to return to WWE despite uncertainty reveals the difficult choices wrestlers face in balancing career risks and aspirations. His success affirms that a well-calculated gamble can lead to major rewards, while his upcoming Royal Rumble appearance offers another chance to solidify his place among wrestling’s elite.
