In 2022, Cody Rhodes made a highly anticipated return to WWE after a successful tenure with AEW, where he served as both a wrestler and Executive Vice President. His comeback marked the beginning of a high-profile rivalry with Seth Rollins that engaged fans for several months before Rhodes was sidelined by an injury, resulting in an eight-month break. Upon his recovery, Rhodes resumed competition against Roman Reigns, ultimately securing the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Central to Rhodes’ path back to WWE was a significant meeting involving WWE chairman Vince McMahon, which reportedly was arranged by longtime WWE executive Bruce Prichard. During a candid appearance on the podcast Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, Rhodes elaborated on how the meeting unfolded and the expectations he had going into it. He noted that Prichard had been attentive to the buzz Rhodes generated outside WWE. However, McMahon’s motivation for inviting Rhodes back was more straightforward and pragmatic.
Vince [McMahon] was looking at it from the perspective of I just need someone to wrestle Seth [Rollins]. That’s what he really was… All I thought at the meeting, I was so excited and somebody said, never directly, but I was made to feel, didn’t value me or didn’t value me enough perhaps. That’s all I thought about in the meeting. I just want them to just see me. There’s so much that has happened. I have had a child. I have been out, ran my own show, done some promoting. I have done some booking here and there. I just wanna see these guys. Bruce [Prichard] I know and love already, but I wanna see Vince and I just wanna have this conversation and almost say thank you, more than anything,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes’ Perspective on the Meeting with Vince McMahon
Rhodes described the conversation with McMahon as laden with mixed emotions. While excited to reconnect, he sensed a lack of full appreciation during the discussion. Despite this, his primary goal was to be recognized for all of his growth, both personally and professionally, since his departure from WWE in 2016. He emphasized the changes in his life, such as becoming a father and taking on roles in promotion and booking outside of WWE. Although Bruce Prichard was already a familiar and trusted ally, Rhodes sought a direct dialogue with Vince to express gratitude and be genuinely seen.
How WWE’s Influence Shaped Rhodes’ Unique Skill Set
Reflecting further on his career trajectory, Rhodes acknowledged the significant role WWE’s environment played in shaping his abilities. Even after leaving the company, he found that the experience he garnered there gave him a distinctive edge in the wrestling world. He incorporated what he called “pro-WWE and very old-school philosophies” into all aspects of his work, including promos, matches, and production, which sometimes made him feel like a unique figure in the industry.
Outside of WWE, I was very unique and I would apply these very pro-WWE and very old-school philosophies to promos, to matches, to production, to presentation, to everything that it almost made me like a gimmick in a way. Just having that skillset, which I was so lucky to have,” Rhodes added.
The Road Ahead for Rhodes After His WWE Return
Currently, Cody Rhodes is focused on reclaiming his position at the top of WWE’s roster. Having already won the Undisputed WWE Championship, his next target is to recapture the title from Drew McIntyre and solidify his standing as one of the company’s premier stars. His journey is closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike, as his return reflects both a personal and professional evolution shaped by diverse experiences in wrestling promotions and executive roles.
This chapter of Rhodes’ career illustrates the complicated dynamics behind major wrestling returns, where business needs, personal ambitions, and legacy intersect. His candid revelations about the meeting with Vince McMahon provide insight into the nuanced negotiations that occur behind the scenes in WWE’s evolving landscape.
