Ahead of his SummerSlam match with John Cena, Cody Rhodes sat down with The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to discuss his exit from AEW for WWE.
Cody Rhodes Explains Why He Left AEW For WWE
“There’s clearly bad blood, but there’s also clearly respect and love.”
Cody Rhodes discusses what led to his departure from AEW. pic.twitter.com/U8RYZ90rHD
— The Ringer (@ringer) July 31, 2025
Rhodes has had a long journey to the main event scene.
Rhodes, the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, debuted as a wrestler in 2006. After a decade in WWE without a main event push, Rhodes requested his release and hit the independent scene.
As it turns out, Rhodes betting on himself as “The American Nightmare” made him a legitimate superstar.
Now a top guy, Rhodes helped found All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a true competitor to WWE. Rhodes started AEW with Tony Khan, Kenny Omega, and Matt and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks.
Rhodes became a megastar in AEW, but he eventually maxed out creatively and needed a change. Rhodes left AEW in February 2022, and two months later, the American Nightmare debuted at WrestleMania 38 to a thunderous ovation.
Fast forward three years, and Rhodes is now the biggest babyface in the company.
Rhodes recently spoke about his AEW departure on The Bill Simmons Podcast. Rhodes explained how he felt “disrespected” toward the end of his tenure, which led to his exit.
“There’s clearly bad blood. But there’s also clearly respect and love,” Rhodes told Simmons. “The way I kind of see it is, if I felt disrespected ever at WWE, that’s one thing. That’s a company that was built… that’s the Yankees. That’s the flagship of it all. If I ever felt there, I was a number on a sheet, maybe. But feeling disrespected at something I built with my friends and that we built, feeling disrespected there, I wouldn’t stand for it. And I think Brandi [Rhodes’ wife] and I both — I’m so blessed to have her — It was one of those where it was, ‘F— it, I did way more here than you think, and you’re gonna find out the moment I’m out the door.’”
Rhodes Knew He Had Something Special With The American Nightmare
Another aspect of Rhodes’ departure was the confidence he had in his character, The American Nightmare.
Rhodes believed that his ability to portray a heel and a face with the same gimmick would succeed in another company, such as WWE. Instead of badmouthing his former employer, Rhodes let his work do the talking.
“I don’t believe in the coldhearted, backstabby type of revenge. The greatest revenge on Earth is success, and I felt we were sitting on something wonderful, something great,” Rhodes said. “We’re sitting on something magic, and if I’m not gonna do it that I literally — with Matt [Jackson], Nick [Jackson], and Kenny [Omega] — built, then buddy, I’m going elsewhere.”
Rhodes will face Cena on Sunday night for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam.
