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Rhodes' departure from AEW has divided not just wrestling fans but the performers themselves. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select revealed that while there are mixed feelings about the Rhodes duo backstage, the split between Cody and Tony Khan appears to be "at least amicable."
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Last week's episode of Dynamite was the first episode without The American Nightmare on the roster. But Sapp reports that everyone he talked to said yesterday’s show was "business as usual."
It was also said that those within All Elite Wrestling don't expect Tony Khan "to try to ignore or erase the existence of Cody Rhodes." This approach makes sense, as he was pivotal to launching the company when it began in 2019. But what else has been said by other AEW talents about the former EVP's departure? Here are five wrestlers who have commented on Cody's exit.
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#5. Dustin Rhodes clarifies his AEW status after Cody Rhodes' departure
In the wake of Cody leaving the company, fans naturally started to speculate if his brother, Dustin Rhodes, was going to follow suit. The Natural One has been with AEW since its inaugural Double or Nothing PPV and has managed to revive his career with the promotion. Dustin later clarified his AEW status, writing on Twitter:
"No I am not leaving. I like it here in @AEW"
The elder Rhodes also serves as a backstage producer, where he works to develop young talent on top of being a part-time wrestler. It's a role he seems to enjoy and has prospered in. While it's unclear how long Dustin will stay in AEW, it seems he's not ready to leave anytime soon.
#4. DDP reveals what Cody Rhodes told him after his AEW exit
AEW legend and WWE Hall of Famer DDP revealed on the Bro Show that Cody Rhodes actually called him to inform about his AEW exit. Cody didn't disclose too much, but assured DDP that he will shed some more details when he can.
"Well, first I'll tell you what we talked about, which was this, simple. It was "Love Tony Khan, they love, it was just for time for me to go" and he called me before it happened, and he goes "I can't tell you anything more, bro. But he said, "When I can, I will." I said, total respect, "I appreciate you calling me up and letting me know, man," said DDP (From 5:00 to 5:40)
Cody has had nothing but respect for the legends of the past who have paved the way for wrestlers like him. He clearly shares a close relationship with the former WCW Champion whom he regards as a mentor. But even DDP is not privy to what future plans Cody have in store next.
#3. Matt Hardy paid tribute to Cody Rhodes on Twitter
Another veteran in the All Elite Wrestling locker room who came out on Twitter to thank Cody is Matt Hardy. Matt debuted in the company back in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. He has managed to stay relevant on television ever since. Matt shares a kinship with Cody since they are both fathers. It's clear that he is grateful to the former EVP for his part in creating the promotion and giving wrestlers an alternative place to work.
#2. The Young Bucks (sort of) address Cody Rhodes' AEW Exit
On the latest episode of BTE, AEW EVPs The Young Bucks began their video, saying things would be different moving forward. They believed that they should address the issue, only to talk about their bags going missing and never seeing it again.
They eventually said they had to move on and get stronger, only to be interrupted by Brandon Cutler, who thought this segment was about Cody. Matt Jackson's response was, "The h**l happened to Cody?"
While the video doesn't address Cody's departure, The Young Bucks did, in their own way, via BTE. Of course, they will give a substantive answer in the future to Cody's AEW exit, but for now, Being The Elite will have to suffice.
#1. Kenny Omega shares his reaction to Cody's departure
While speaking with Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Omega said he was as shocked as everyone else when he learned about the news:
“Everyone was shocked. We all know when our deals are up, especially the EVPs, or in the case of The Bucks like when their options kick in. For myself, I don’t have a deal like that. As you know, I’m up next year, just straight up, done. So I’d have to re-sign a new one. There’s no option," Kenny Omega said. (H/T - WrestlingNews.co)
The Cleaner added that Cody was the most passionate person he knew when it came to building a wrestling company. With that in mind, Omega noted how strange it was for Rhodes to walk away from it:
"It was almost like you just never think it’s going to go in that direction, where the talent is going to opt for leaving, especially since you know, when this first thing started, I would say the most passionate person about a revolution, our most most passionate person about kind of creating an us versus them mentality was Cody. So it was strange for him just to choose to get up and walk away.” said Omega.
This seems to hint at a fractured relationship and growing distance between Cody and his fellow EVPs, which culminated in his departure. Meanwhile, fellow wrestlers continue to pay their respects to one of the founding fathers of the company.
