Cody Rhodes Opens Up About His AEW Departure and Feeling Disrespected
Cody Rhodes, one of the founding pillars of All Elite Wrestling, has finally opened up in depth about the factors that led to his surprising departure from the company he helped create. In a candid interview on the “Busted Open Radio” show, the current WWE Champion shared his side of the story, expressing that his exit was largely motivated by a growing sense of disrespect and creative exhaustion.
Rhodes stated that, while he once had immense pride in being part of AEW’s early foundation, things eventually took a turn. He recalled moments when he felt his contributions were being undermined and when his creative vision no longer aligned with the direction the company was taking. The tipping point came, he explained, when respect within the locker room and backstage environment began to deteriorate.
He described the backstage atmosphere at AEW during his final months as tense and often clouded by politics. According to Rhodes, there were individuals pushing narratives that painted him in a negative light. He referred to these as “propaganda” and stated that those actions, combined with an increasing lack of appreciation, led him to reevaluate his place in the company.
“I felt disrespected,” Rhodes said. “There were a lot of things being said backstage that simply weren’t true. It wasn’t about the fans or the matches anymore. It was about politics and control. And I wasn’t going to be part of that environment.”
Cody emphasized that his departure wasn’t driven by money or ego. Instead, it stemmed from a desire to protect his personal integrity and continue growing as a performer and leader. His decision to leave was not taken lightly, considering the emotional and professional investment he had made in AEW since its inception.
Many wrestling fans were shocked when Cody and his wife Brandi left AEW in early 2022. At the time, speculation ran wild about disputes over creative control and backstage disagreements with other executives. Now, Cody’s statements seem to confirm at least some of those theories. He spoke openly about feeling burnt out and unsupported, saying that the creative load he carried for AEW eventually took a toll on his passion.
Despite the tension, Cody made it clear that he still respects AEW as a company and appreciates the journey it gave him. He wished the current roster nothing but success. However, he also stood firm in the belief that AEW wouldn’t have existed without the work he and his team put in during the early days.
His move to WWE has proven to be fruitful, culminating in his major victory at WrestleMania 40 and a title reign that has revitalized his career. Cody now serves as a central figure in WWE’s main event scene, with fans and critics alike praising his performances and leadership.
As for the possibility of returning to AEW in the future, Cody didn’t shut the door completely but made it clear that it would only happen if the environment were drastically different. For now, he seems firmly rooted in WWE, focused on building his legacy without the baggage of the past.
His story serves as a reminder of how quickly the backstage landscape in professional wrestling can shift, even for those at the top. Cody’s experience shows that success in the ring sometimes comes at a high personal cost—and that knowing when to walk away can be just as important as knowing how to win.