Cody Rhodes, known for his generally ambiguous comments about leaving AEW in 2022, has hinted that his issues were largely with AEW owner and president Tony Khan. Rhodes, who was once at the forefront of the company‘s launch in 2019, appeared to step back as Khan took a more visible leadership role. This seeming clash between two central figures to AEW’s success is not an unfamiliar story in competitive environments, where egos and power struggles often collide.
Interview Highlights the NFL Comparison of Rhodes’ AEW Experience
During a detailed interview on The Bill Simmons Podcast ahead of SummerSlam, Rhodes compared his AEW exit to a well-known NFL conflict. Simmons drew a parallel between Rhodes’ departure and the rift between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson. Johnson, who led the Cowboys to consecutive Super Bowl victories in the early 1990s, resigned after friction arose when Jones sought more credit for the team’s success. Rhodes acknowledged the similarity, saying, “I feel like probably similar.”
Reflection on Personal Growth and Career Progression Since Leaving AEW
Rhodes reflected on how, despite the difficult ending at AEW, his career has thrived. He expressed gratitude for opportunities gained following his exit, particularly his return to <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE, where he has competed against legendary figures and broken attendance records. Rhodes highlighted key moments like standing opposite Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, emphasizing the significance of these accomplishments after being initially underestimated.
“If it hurts even more when you’re tasked to do something when somebody sees it with their own eyes, but then, I don’t look at any of it — I said I was angry and enraged, I don’t look at it with any negativity, and here is why:
“I got to be part of WWE again… and I got to be part of WWE, we’re talking about [Steve] Austin and [Hulk] Hogan, two of the greatest to ever lace up their boots, and every one of those [gate] records have been broken. I got to be in the matches that broke those records. I got to stand across from Roman Reigns at [WrestleMania] 39, I got to do it again — I got the quarterback spot at a company where I was last in the combine.
“I am very grateful. That’s why I have trouble articulating it and why I want to write this book… I’m very grateful for, ‘Hey, this schism happened, but the outcome is I got to be with the biggest game in town. And not only did I get this spot, I got to show them that I could do it…”
—Cody Rhodes, Professional Wrestler
Assessing the Significance of the AEW Split for Rhodes’ Career
Rhodes’ remarks suggest that his split from AEW was not merely a professional setback, but a turning point that allowed him to prove himself on a larger stage. Bill Simmons encapsulated Rhodes’ path as a “good career move,” a sentiment the wrestler himself agreed with during the conversation. As Rhodes prepares to headline SummerSlam, his reflections underscore how personal rivalries and business decisions within AEW shaped not only his departure but also his subsequent success in WWE.
Ongoing Debates About the True Source of Conflict in AEW
The discussion raises questions about whether Rhodes’ departure was fundamentally caused by tensions with Tony Khan, as Rhodes’ comments and the NFL analogy imply. Wrestling fans and industry observers continue to speculate on how much the power dynamics between Rhodes and Khan contributed to his decision to leave. The full episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast offers deeper insights, inviting viewers to interpret Rhodes’ perspective firsthand.
