Backstage Details On Why Cody Rhodes Left AEW, If He Could Return To WWE

For weeks now Cody Rhodes had been claiming that he’s a free agent, and today the three time TNT Champion officially announced that he has parted ways with All Elite Wrestling.

Fightful Select is now reporting that Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes parted ways with AEW after the two sides could not come to terms on a new contract. Several sources reportedly noted that Cody was looking for a big money deal, and several people didn’t think that a re-signing would end up happening.

It’s being said that WWE officials were aware of the situation shortly before the announcement was made, and they knew that an announcement was going to drop. WWE and Cody Rhodes have at least had discussions, and WWE was aware that Cody’s announcement regarding his AEW departure would be made at 10 am EST.

Dave Meltzer also recently noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that at Raw this week there was talk of Cody’s potential WWE return in certain circles. According to Meltzer, Cody Rhodes can legally appear on WWE TV at any time.

Word of Cody’s departure spread to AEW talents about 15 minutes before it was made. It’s also being said that Cody and Brandi haven’t been as connected with AEW locker room in recent years as they were when the company first launched, and that Cody had become distant from the other Executive Vice Presidents.

Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.