Cody Rhodes. Imagw via: WWE
Cody Rhodes ’ wrestling career took a significant turn after he left WWE in 2016. That momentum contributed to All In in 2018, an independent event organised by Rhodes and The Young Bucks. Its success helped lay the groundwork for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), which launched in 2019 with Rhodes among its founding executive vice presidents; and his subsequent departure in 2022 and return to WWE marked another major turning point in his career. Cody Rhodes played a major role in establishing All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as an alternative to WWE after helping demonstrate the drawing power of independent wrestling, and following his WWE departure in 2016, Rhodes competed across multiple promotions and developed a stronger identity beyond the character he had portrayed in WWE. His success helped build momentum for All In, the 2018 independent wrestling event he organised alongside The Young Bucks. In 2019, Rhodes became one of AEW’s founding executive vice presidents alongside The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, with Tony Khan providing the financial backing and leading the company. Rhodes departed AEW in February 2022 after contract negotiations failed to produce a new agreement. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Rhodes returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022, appearing as the surprise opponent for Seth Rollins . Rhodes won consecutive Royal Rumble matches in 2023 and 2024, earning championship opportunities at WrestleMania. After losing to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, he defeated Reigns at WrestleMania 40 in April 2024 to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Because of his personal investment in the new promotion, he also indicated that his experience at AEW differed from his earlier frustrations in WWE. the departure should not be reduced to one confirmed disagreement over money or creative control Although reports and subsequent comments have pointed to tensions surrounding his final months with the promotion.
His wife, Brandi Rhodes, was among those who encouraged him to consider moving on, according to his account. Rather than immediately returning to the company, he rebuilt his reputation on the independent circuit, working with promotions around the world and helping demonstrate the commercial potential of wrestling outside WWE’s established system. The event attracted significant attention and helped establish the commercial potential for a new wrestling promotion. Rhodes took on responsibilities beyond performing in the ring. As an executive vice president, he helped shape AEW’s early identity while continuing to compete on its programmes. However, his dual role also placed him under scrutiny from fans who questioned the influence of the promotion’s executives over its creative direction. In later comments, Rhodes described feeling disrespected at a company he had helped build. Leaving AEW represented a significant professional gamble. Rhodes was walking away from an executive position and the company’s early growth to pursue a fresh chapter elsewhere. His decision also came without a guarantee that WWE would restore him to a prominent role. Instead of continuing to build his influence at AEW, he chose to test the value of the reputation he had developed outside WWE. The reception demonstrated that his independent run had strengthened his connection with wrestling audiences. WWE also retained the identity he had developed outside the company, including his American Nightmare persona. His return became the starting point for a sustained main-event run. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.