Backstage Details On AEW’s Reaction To Cody Rhodes Being A Free Agent

Cody Rhodes may be the current TNT Champion, but it was recently reported that Rhodes is not currently under contract with All Elite Wrestling. Cody’s contract reportedly expired at the end of the year, and he has yet to sign a new deal.

Dave Meltzer recently addressed Cody’s status in a post on the Wrestling Observer message board, and he noted that he didn’t get much of a response when he asked about the contract situation, but at least one person believed it could be a publicity stunt.

“Okay, this is the situation. Almost everyone is avoiding me today there, so either it’s true and they are all mad it’s out or it’s a work and they don’t want to lie to me. One person near the top told me they thought it was a publicity stunt but stressed they didn’t know for sure. But one would think if it was a big story internally they would know. But that’s the only person who would even talk to me today.

Remember as far as technical goes. If there was a new contract offered starting this year, Cody has not been there. If they expected to ratify it on 1/5, he was to be there, came to Newark, got the call and flew home before going to the building and hasn’t been back. I know the health reason within his family was legit. So Sapp’s story could be correct, I’m guessing it is, but that’s the situation. If he’s not there Wednesday it’s a story.”

One way or another Cody Rhodes is still being advertised for this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, and he’s also expected to face interim TNT Champion Sammy Guevara at some point, so it will be interesting to see where things go from here. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.