“I’m Way Smarter Than This” – Despite Being Raised to Not Give Up, Cody Rhodes Finally Reveals Why He Left WWE in 2016

With all the fanfare surrounding him currently, it is possible that many might forget Cody Rhodes’ not so great time in WWE some seven years ago. The American Nightmare is in his second stint with the Stamford-based promotion, having made his return in 2022. But prior to that, Rhodes plied his trade in the company from 2007 to 2016. He has recently opened up about his first departure.

Rhodes said there was no one out, which forced him to pull the plug on his WWE career seven years ago.

Cody Rhodes recalls the difficulties of his first stint in WWE

Before he became The American Nightmare and had the crowds singing along and cheering him, Rhodes played a few gimmicks. He had success as the Dashing version of himself and then sported a mustache as part of Team Rhodes Scholars. But it started to go downhill from 2014 onwards.

In June 2014, Rhodes started appearing under his new name as Stardust, which was a spinoff of his half-brother’s Goldust gimmick. Unfortunately, Rhodes’ over dramatic gimmick wasn’t well received by the fans and it left him frustrated, eventually leading to his exit from WWE.

“I didn’t quit because that’s not how I have been raised,” he was heard saying in his documentary, American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes, which streamed on Peacock on July 31. Rhodes said he had fought hard right from his childhood to earn his name. Had he quit, his mother would have disowned him.

“…but it seemed like there was no way to get out of it,” he spoke about his helplessness. “I am way smarter than this. That’s what I would tell myself,” he reminisced.

After his departure, Rhodes toured the independent circuit and eventually helped Tony Khan build the AEW, WWE’s top rival.

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Meanwhile, the documentary kickstarted a controversy, dividing fans from the two promotions.

Triple H’s comment, Tony Khan’s retort: The effects of Cody Rhodes’ documentary

Soon after the program aired, a clip from it went viral. In it, WWE’s Head of Creative, Triple H, was seen making a comment about the rival that didn’t sit well with the fans.

The 14-time world champion called Tony Khan’s promotion a secondary while justifying Rhodes’ move back to the WWE. After his first stint, Rhodes stayed in AEW for nearly three years, before leaving the promotion in February 2022. That same year, he made his grand return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, defeating Seth Rollins.

Rhodes spoke about the benefits of his return, only for The Game to add in the comment. Just hours later, Tony Khan commented on Triple H’s take. The AEW owner rubbished the claim and said his company was not playing second fiddle to anyone.

And while Khan excused Rhodes, he came down hard on the WWE and the legend, claiming that his company was slowly surging ahead.

Though figures still heavily favor the WWE at the moment. A part of it is also due to Rhodes, who frequently remains one of the most sought-after stars in the promotion. He would be hoping for a sustained push and would avoid a blast from the past.

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