The ongoing Cody Rhodes AEW WWE relationship took center stage after Tony Khan, President of All Elite Wrestling, directly addressed remarks made by Rhodes about his experience in the company. In an interview with Q101 Chicago, Khan countered Rhodes’ feelings of disrespect, emphasizing mutual respect and positive encounters since Rhodes’ departure for WWE.
Cody Rhodes, who served as both a co-founder and an EVP at AEW, was a featured performer in the promotion from 2019 to 2022. During this period, he captured the TNT Championship three times, but notably never secured the AEW World Championship. Despite his involvement at the highest levels, Rhodes publicly stated he felt slighted during his tenure, which surprised many given his visible leadership within the Jacksonville-based company.
Addressing these comments, Tony Khan said in the interview:
“I’m not sure I agree with that, but I also would give him the benefit of the doubt that I’ve heard him say a lot of positive things, too. For somebody that doesn’t work here and that’s involved in the competitive promotion, he’s usually pretty gracious with the things he says. And I’ve seen him since he’s been gone, and it’s always been very positive and good. I have only good things to say about him and his contributions here.” said Khan.
Khan’s remarks have sparked debate on social media. Reactions ranged from admiration for his composed response to speculation that Khan might be interested in bringing the current Undisputed WWE Champion back to AEW in the future. The conversation highlighted the enduring interest fans have in the relationships and rivalries between major wrestling promotions.
Cody Rhodes’ Successes in WWE Since Departing AEW
Following his exit from AEW, Cody Rhodes has achieved remarkable success in WWE. He is currently enjoying his second reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, in addition to being a two-time Intercontinental Champion and multiple-time tag team titleholder. The year 2025 has been especially significant in his career, marking some of his best moments as “The American Nightmare.”
Supporters of Rhodes and industry commentators continue to watch closely as his career progresses, taking note of the complex dynamic between wrestlers, companies, and the passionate wrestling fanbase. As attention remains fixed on Cody Rhodes’ ongoing championship run, the possibility of future interactions between AEW and WWE, particularly around key figures like Rhodes, remains a point of discussion.
Tony Khan was asked about a comment by Cody Rhodes where he mentioned feeling disrespected at AEW:
“I’m not sure I agree with that, but I also would give him the benefit of the doubt that I’ve heard him say a lot of positive things, too.
For somebody that doesn’t work here and… pic.twitter.com/IxKDmmqBaH
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) December 30, 2025
