AEW President Tony Khan has addressed recent comments from WWE’s Cody Rhodes, who claimed he felt disrespected during his time with the Jacksonville-based promotion. The ongoing discussion about Cody Rhodes AEW disrespect has drawn attention, especially because Rhodes was instrumental in founding All Elite Wrestling before departing for WWE in 2022.
Tony Khan Addresses Cody Rhodes’ Remarks
After leaving AEW, Cody Rhodes became the Undisputed WWE Champion and has since discussed his reasons for moving on from the company he once helped lead as Executive Vice President. In public statements, Rhodes revealed that feeling disrespected by AEW was a key factor in his decision to exit, highlighting that such treatment was particularly difficult to accept given his foundational role in the promotion.
Tony Khan responded to these comments during an appearance on Q101. Khan noted that although he does not agree with every view Rhodes expresses, he remains glad that Rhodes often speaks positively about AEW, even while discussing his grievances.
“You know, he does a lot of interviews, and I think when you have to say so many words so often — because he works so hard, he works such a big schedule — to his credit, I bet he does hundreds of interviews a year. And I’m not sure I agree with that, but I also would give him the benefit of the doubt that, you know, I’ve heard him say a lot of positive things, too,” Khan said. [H/T – Ringside News]
Khan’s comments suggest an acknowledgment of Rhodes’ hard work and public presence, but also a certain irritation and disagreement with the idea that AEW was disrespectful toward him.
Theories Behind Rhodes’ AEW Departure Emerge
The reasons that prompted Cody Rhodes to leave AEW continue to be widely debated. On an episode of The Wrestling Time Machine on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter offered his perspective, suggesting that Rhodes left in part because he was not given enough credit for his role in building the company and was dissatisfied with his placement in storylines within the organization.
“He was one of the people that started that company, and little by little, according to him, he felt like he wasn’t being credited with what was going on. I don’t think they put him in programmes that he may have wanted to be in,” Apter said.
Apter’s comments reinforce the conflicted atmosphere surrounding this topic, reflecting both internal and public perceptions about Rhodes’ legacy within AEW and his departure. The sense of agitation and unresolved feelings appears to persist among those involved and those observing from the outside.
Unanswered Questions and Industry Impact
The conversation surrounding Cody Rhodes AEW disrespect remains unresolved, with fans and industry insiders closely watching for any further responses from Cody Rhodes regarding Tony Khan’s recent statements. With key figures like Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes representing their respective companies, the dialogue highlights lingering tensions and the competitive dynamics of professional wrestling today.
As one of the founders of AEW and the current face of WWE, Cody Rhodes’ experiences continue to influence how both organizations are perceived. How Rhodes and Khan navigate these public exchanges may shape industry narratives and impact the future relationship between these top wrestling promotions.
