“Don’t Edit..I Didn’t Leave Because of Money”: Cody Rhodes Claims He Left AEW Because of a Personal Issue

It has been over a year since Cody Rhodes ditched All Elite Wrestling for a second stint in the rival WWE. Ironically, Rhodes was one of the few wrestlers who helped build Tony Khan’s company. While his departure had many confused, Rhodes might have hinted at his reasons for the move in his documentary- ‘American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes’. The 38-year-old finally revealed the reason that forced him to seek employment with the Stamford-based promotion.

The documentary was released on July 31 and was much-awaited by fans of both the WWE and AEW. It seems like Rhodes’ answer will stop the speculations about why he left AEW for the time being. So, what was the wrestler’s reason?

Cody Rhodes squashes rumors surrounding his AEW departure

The American Nightmare last fought in AEW on January 26, 2022. Just weeks later, it was reported that Rhodes and his wife, Brandi, had left the promotion. Several outlets claimed that the power couple left after a failed negotiation regarding his contract. However, in his documentary, which streamed on Peacock, Rhodes dismissed the rumor.

“This one answer I don’t want edited in any capacity. Don’t even edit this part,” he said, before revealing what it was. Rhodes said that it wasn’t possible for him to disclose the exact reason that led to his switch.

“I will tell you the reasons that were said that didn’t actually matter. I didn’t leave AEW because of money, and I didn’t leave AEW because of other talents,” he added.

“I left AEW because of a personal issue,” the Prince of Pro Wrestling added. Whether you like it or not, this was what Cody Rhodes had to offer as a reason for his return to WWE. He, however, did not reveal the nature of this personal problem. On the other hand, over time, he has listed other reasons that forced him to quit the AEW earlier this year. One of them has to do with his position as an executive in the company.

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Cody Rhodes felt distanced from wrestling during AEW tenure

While many consider his meeting with Vince McMahon to have been the reason for his switch to WWE, there might have been another important reason. Rhodes and a few other wrestlers had multiple roles in Tony Khan’s promotions. The winner of the 2023 Royal Rumble also worked as an executive in the company. Speaking to Rich Eisen on his eponymous show earlier this year, he revealed some of the reasons for his AEW exit.

Rhodes said he felt the burden of being an executive. The job had wedged a gap between his role as a wrestler and the company’s top brass. Rhodes also confessed to being young and immature for the role that he was given.

He said that his job in WWE was simple- to wrestle, a role he was comfortable with and had already dabbled in quite a lot. He also called it a nice feeling to be able to be in such a position. This reason should make a lot of sense to his fans, as they know the wrestler’s passion when it comes to the squared circle.

So, while his documentary didn’t reveal much, Rhodes has already listed many reasons that played a decisive part in his AEW-WWE tenures. That said, what’s your take on Cody Rhodes’ reason for quitting AEW? Let us know in the comments.

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