Wrestling fans have been reacting to the bombshell news that Cody Rhodes is set to depart All Elite Wrestling (AEW) alongside his wife, Brandi – with a potential WWE return on the cards.
Rhodes confirmed in January that he was not under a standard wrestler’s contract with the company. In turn, that admission then fuelled speculation that he may be on his way out.
AEW has since confirmed that Rhodes and his wife have moved on to other endeavours in a statement posted to the company’s official Twitter account.
The news comes as a big blow to the fledgling company. It was founded in 2019 by former Fulham FC owner, Shahid Khan, and his son Tony. In addition, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, alongside Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, were appointed as executive vice-presidents.
Read: Seth Rollins’ all-time in-ring Mount Rushmore features AEW star
Cody Rhodes was the inaugural holder of the AEW TNT Championship. Furthermore, it is a title he would go on to claim on a total of three occasions.
Is Cody Rhodes coming back to WWE?
Cody Rhodes was a founding member of AEW in January 2019. That occurred two-and-a-half years since he departed WWE.
He was a popular wrestler throughout his time with Vince McMahon’s company. His career took off as a member of The Legacy, alongside Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase, before the stable broke up in 2010 after 14 months.
The North Carolina native then had a memorable run as “Dashing” Cody Rhodes before changing to a character who would walk to the ring with a paper bag on his head after he had his nose broken in a match. Both characters were met with critical acclaim.
He then debuted a character named Stardust, teaming with his real-life half-brother Goldust.
Now, nearly six years after his departure, Rhodes could soon be back in the WWE.
That is because esteemed combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani has reported that the company are in talks about a return “in the near future”.
Fans react to Cody Rhodes WWE return rumours
Given the popularity of Cody Rhodes during his first WWE run – and the possible implications his AEW departure could have on his now-former company – this news has understandably caused shockwaves around the wrestling world.
The Athletic‘s Mike Coppinger has reported that Rhodes, according to sources, has not signed a non-compete clause with AEW as part of his departure. That means he is effectively free to wrestle for another company at any point.
Naturally, the eyes of fans are looking towards WrestleMania – the showpiece event on the WWE calendar.
Whether Rhodes does make WWE his next destination is unclear as of yet. What is clear, however, is that fans want him back. And they want the company to make the most of any opportunity.
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