Top WWE star leaving AEW was due to issues with Tony Khan, promised to keep it a secret - Reports

The Tony Khan-led AEW lost a top star to WWE a few years ago. The talent left All Elite Wrestling, citing personal reasons, but recent reports have suggested that they had issues with the company's president.

Cody Rhodes is the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion. Before re-signing with the global juggernaut, Rhodes helped lay AEW's foundation as one of the EVPs alongside Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. In February 2022, he shockingly left All Elite Wrestling after a successful four-year run.

It was reported that he had some personal issues that seemingly factored into his decision to part ways with the Jacksonville-based company. Later, fans found out that the two parties failed to agree on a new contract.

A fan on X/Twitter wanted to find out the actual story behind Cody Rhodes' exit from AEW. Responding to the tweet, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer recently claimed that Rhodes left the Jacksonville-based promotion due to issues with Tony Khan. He also mentioned that both promised to keep this matter a secret from the public.

"Cody's issue was with Tony and both promised never to speak of it," tweeted Dave Meltzer.

Meltzer unveiled more details about The American Nightmare's departure while replying to another fan's tweet.

"He worked one match 26 days after his contract expired while he was negotiating a new deal that at first both sides believed would come to fruition but Vince McMahon heard he was a free agent and personally flew to Atlanta to make him an offer to jump," Meltzer added.

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Bill Apter thinks Tony Khan is planning to launch a new show

On Sportskeeda Wrestling's UnSKripted, Hall of Fame journalist Bill Apter said AEW might be planning to launch a new show similar to a WWE program. However, Apter added that the slot could instead be allotted to an ROH show.

"If I remember right, there's gonna be some other like documentary=type of shows on AEW also under their banner. I know WWE is doing that too. Or maybe they are making space to introduce Ring of Honor on that same channel." [1:13 onwards]

Last month, Tony Khan announced that AEW was indefinitely ceasing the production of Rampage. The December 27, 2024, edition of the program titled New Year's Smash was the final installment of the show for the foreseeable future.