Feels like a work. But if the relationship between the Bucks, Omega and company is strained then it could be true. No one wants to do to the office or work and deal with toxic people.

Cody used to be beloved. He made himself detestable. So strange.

1 down, 3 VPs to go.

I wish I could say good things about Cody today. Once upon a time, he was one of the few in AEW who could actually work, and in the early days was perhaps the best babyface in the company. Unfortunately, his own personality crept in, and he became a pompous asshole of an individual, so arrogant to notice that's not heel heat, no one likes you Cody. And Brandi.. how do you spell nepotism?

I don't think it's a work. Unless he's pulling a Brian Pillman, and he's just worked TK into releasing him to sign elsewhere. Oh, that would be glorious.

Love Cody, would hate to see him leave, as a fan this sucks.

The clip of Sammy doing the cutter on Cody off the ladders could easily be a defining moment in the AEW pantheons later down line. Iconic, like Mick Foley falling off HIAC. That’s really my only takeaway from his time with AEW. I don’t connect with him, his wrestling, his promo style, his wife. I hope jumping to WWE will be worth it for him because if anyone can fuck up someone’s momentum, it’s Vince McMahon.

I will say that it is a bad look that now 2 African American women have left the company in the span of like 2 months. I agree with c, they need Athena in the worst way. They have Red Velvet and AQA as like the lone black face in the company and add Jade Cargill and they don't have many faces anymore since they refuse to use Sonny Kiss.

Feb 16, 2022 1:36:47 GMT Blindy said:

I will say that it is a bad look that now 2 African American women have left the company in the span of like 2 months. I agree with c , they need Athena in the worst way. They have Red Velvet and AQA as like the lone black face in the company and add Jade Cargill and they don't have many faces anymore since they refuse to use Sonny Kiss.

Weird that you see Brandi's departure and decide to focus on her race instead of the fact that they just lost their brand ambassador and huge backstage presence. She's a lot more to the company than "another black chick left."

Feb 16, 2022 1:40:03 GMT RT said:

Feb 16, 2022 1:36:47 GMT Blindy said:

I will say that it is a bad look that now 2 African American women have left the company in the span of like 2 months. I agree with c , they need Athena in the worst way. They have Red Velvet and AQA as like the lone black face in the company and add Jade Cargill and they don't have many faces anymore since they refuse to use Sonny Kiss.

Weird that you see Brandi's departure and decide to focus on her race instead of the fact that they just lost their brand ambassador and huge backstage presence. She's a lot more to the company than "another black chick left."

Brandi was more than a token executive but they have a bunch of white guys after Khan running the show now from above. Kenny Omega getting full control of the women's booking is the biggest takeaway here, he might get the Joshis back unless Khan says otherwise. 

They need more faces in the company that resonate with different ethnicities. What Swole said rang a bell to a lot of people, when they see Sasha Banks or Bianca Belair, a little African American girl sees themselves in her. AEW doesn't have that. Maybe Jade Cargill is that but she's suppose to be booed and hated. 

Feb 15, 2022 18:29:28 GMT Todd said:

If it’s a work then it’s genius and I applaud everyone involved. That’s what wrestling is about. If it’s not then it’s weird and I hope we get the truth unbiased from these wrestling journalists

It depends on how he plays it. If he remains radio silent and then just appears out of the blue to cut a 'I'm not going anywhere' promo I think it'll backfire. If Cody starts stoking the flames on social media and podcasts with the right material he could work an angle.

I wonder if appearing on Cornette's podcast would be a bridge too far?

Either way, he probably returns to the WWE and gets that Drew McIntyre push.

Feb 16, 2022 3:24:18 GMT Big Pete said:

Feb 15, 2022 18:29:28 GMT Todd said:

If it’s a work then it’s genius and I applaud everyone involved. That’s what wrestling is about. If it’s not then it’s weird and I hope we get the truth unbiased from these wrestling journalists

It depends on how he plays it. If he remains radio silent and then just appears out of the blue to cut a 'I'm not going anywhere' promo I think it'll backfire. If Cody starts stoking the flames on social media and podcasts with the right material he could work an angle.

I wonder if appearing on Cornette's podcast would be a bridge too far?

Either way, he probably returns to the WWE and gets that Drew McIntyre push.

Brandi hates Corny for his criticism of her, no shot Cody is allowed to be on. FTR appeared on it and supposedly got a lot of angry people backstage at AEW immediately upon joining. I still remember Cody randomly trashing on Disco Inferno/Glenn Gilberti on twitter. Disco has been one of the most controversial minds in wrestling today who has been critical of AEW. I don't think Rhodes likes the IWC as a whole honestly and still has that old school "Don't give the dirt sheets anything" thing that his family grew up around. He'll try his hand at Hollywood until that ends up failing. He probably would die to be on a show like The Boys or something of that nature with superheroes. 



One thing not mentioned is RIP A Shot of Brandi with Brandi Rhodes. A Shot of Brandi will be missed for the Youtube crowd, wonder if Allie/Bunny's Oreo time gets more prominence as the lone food show for AEW on Youtube.

Cornette maybe a bridge too far, but Cody has been pretty open with the journalists and has plenty of shoot clips up on YouTube. His 'Rosa Mendes failed the concussion test three times, never had a concussion' line still cracks me up.

Of all the guys, Cody was one of the few guys Jim would pull his punches on and he was even complimentary towards Brandi when she cut that promo on Jade. She just didn't think Brandi had to involve herself as much as she did, that was his chief complaint with her.

Oh and he buried Rhodes To The Top, but again I could see that being ironed out.

Feb 15, 2022 19:39:12 GMT Emperor said:

Honestly, I don't care what Cody and Brandi do. I'm happier without seeing them on AEW programming.

Just stay away from NJPW and I'll be happy.

I'm afraid I got some bad news.

That is the most likely option with them doing some talent exchange.

The neck tattoo was the beginning of the end, Corny gave Cody the outs because he was close with Dusty Rhodes but the neck tattoo was the downward spiral. Can't blame him there, it makes Cody's stache period look fantastic. Cornette loves Dustin Rhodes on the other hand, he would make him world champion or have him challenge for the belt if he was running the show.

Cody also swings right/conservative, think he either supported or followed Donald Trump a few years ago. That's what did Jericho in to Cornette. Big no-no.

Really curious who replaces Brandi and how they bring them in. Will be telling if they promote a wrestler or bring in an outsider.

With three black girls, one in a prominent role, whole some will complain, AEW is still showcasing them more most feds. They should still get Athena, but not a pokemon, but because she is a super strong worker that connects with the more nerdy crowd. She will go out and promote AEW in roleplaying streams and shit, an area that AEW has no connections to. Which would create a fun situation with her and Creed working together on G4.

Feb 16, 2022 4:00:04 GMT c said:

She will go out and promote AEW in roleplaying streams and shit, an area that AEW has no connections to. 

That's THE Dungeon Master Brandon Cutler to you.

Feb 16, 2022 3:54:17 GMT Blindy said:

The neck tattoo was the beginning of the end, Corny gave Cody the outs because he was close with Dusty Rhodes but the neck tattoo was the downward spiral. Can't blame him there, it makes Cody's stache period look fantastic. Cornette loves Dustin Rhodes on the other hand, he would make him world champion or have him challenge for the belt if he was running the show.

Cody also swings right/conservative, think he either supported or followed Donald Trump a few years ago. That's what did Jericho in to Cornette. Big no-no.

Cody was wishy washy on Trump.  He is a conservative but not a Trump conservative.  But really, most wrestlers in big feds are conservatives as they are taxed at their salary rate with no regards for the fact they are then expected to spend like 1/4th of that salary for work related travel and lodging.  So taxes going up hurts them a lot more than most workers and being high base salary already places them in a high tax group.  So before you get into anything else politically, it makes sense not to support anyone who may cut into your pay more.  Moreso when you are also expected to pay your own healthcare costs.

Feb 16, 2022 4:03:30 GMT Blindy said:

Feb 16, 2022 4:00:04 GMT c said:

She will go out and promote AEW in roleplaying streams and shit, an area that AEW has no connections to. 

That's THE Dungeon Master Brandon Cutler to you.

But Athena plays in games that people ACTUALLY watch <.<

If you remember, going back months.. maybe a year now, there was talk about Cody being an outsider among the group. He was one of the few who actually attended meetings, was truly the office guy while Kenny and The Bucks were circle-jerking themselves into believing they were creative geniuses.

As a founder, you don't leave for financial reasons. Maybe, working at AEW isn't the be all and end all they say it is.

Feb 16, 2022 4:55:33 GMT NATH45 said:

If you remember, going back months.. maybe a year now, there was talk about Cody being an outsider among the group. He was one of the few who actually attended meetings, was truly the office guy while Kenny and The Bucks were circle-jerking themselves into believing they were creative geniuses.

As a founder, you don't leave for financial reasons. Maybe, working at AEW isn't the be all and end all they say it is.

Dave did say “serious repercussions.” If Cody was the serious one and Elite Bros were circlejerking the whole time, then damn.

Kenny’s booking of the women’s division and the Bucks being obsessed with their twitter bios could be very telling.

Maybe I'm alone, but watching the show it felt like the creative process was 'I'll stay out of your business if you stay out of mine'. I think the only change we'll see is with the women and I'm curious to see what that means for Jade Cargill because my theory was that like the men's division - the Rhodes had their belt/s and the rest of the company had theirs. I don't think it'll happen right away, but I would not be shocked at all to see Jade leave AEW and possibly follow Cody.

Otherwise I think we'll see the show keep on keeping on. Just with less Cody and down the track less Jericho which is for the best.

Feb 16, 2022 4:55:33 GMT NATH45 said:

If you remember, going back months.. maybe a year now, there was talk about Cody being an outsider among the group. He was one of the few who actually attended meetings, was truly the office guy while Kenny and The Bucks were circle-jerking themselves into believing they were creative geniuses.

As a founder, you don't leave for financial reasons. Maybe, working at AEW isn't the be all and end all they say it is.

Well, rumors are Cody demanded top billing pay of at least 4 million and Tony said no.  Vince likely gave him the 4 million and some level of creative control.  

If you are Cody and looking more and more into what comes after you are too hurt to wrestle, you want Vince by your side with his Hollywood contacts.  The shows he is doing now for Turner he can do now with Peacock, except with WWE corporate negotiating him higher rates.  Also Brandi was likely offered a much bigger contract to work in corporate as a sweetener.  

Jade not following him because WWE already passed on her. She goes to WWE they will need to retrain her and be years before she sees TV again. Nor will Vince push her like Tony is.

I let Cody's contract expire as I felt his wrestling wasn’t good enough. #AEWRampage Street Fight TONIGHT!”

- Tony Khan, Twitter.

Speaking of women who may leave because off Cody. Shida always seem closer to Cody then Omega. Red Velvet seemed close to the Rhodes family even filling in for the "And Brandi" spots. And Cody seem the main flag bear for the LGBT+ wrestlers so while Sonny was most likely on the chopping block already. I think there is no chance of a renewal now.

Feb 16, 2022 7:01:51 GMT X-zero said:

Speaking of women who may leave because off Cody. Shida always seem closer to Cody then Omega. Red Velvet seemed close to the Rhodes family even filling in for the "And Brandi" spots. And Cody seem the main flag bear for the LGBT+ wrestlers so while Sonny was most likely on the chopping block already. I think there is no chance of a renewal now.

Cody Rhodes' true value may be his contacts, and knowledge of if and when contracts are expiring.

He could help gut AEW if he wanted to.

I mean, if you were Tony would you pay him what you pay Punk or Danielson? They are on TV each week and generally are hits. Cody comes out maybe once a month and the crowd is usually dead as they have no idea what to think of him anymore. I mean, is he a face, is he a heel, does this match even matter since he will be gone for a month after it? He is simply not worth top guy pay. And it appears Tony is realizing the pay he was giving is not sustainable anymore if he wants to be able to bring in big guys that WWE releases. For the price of Cody he can likely bring in 6 to 8 other guys and get Regal in the back.

One thing being overlooked a lot is if he wants, he could hire Danger to run the woman's division now. She is proven. She should never wrestle again, but can still book meaningful matches.

Feb 16, 2022 6:59:43 GMT NATH45 said:

I let Cody's contract expire as I felt his wrestling wasn’t good enough. #AEWRampage Street Fight TONIGHT!”

- Tony Khan, Twitter.

Honestly it would be fucking sick if he tweeted this.

Feb 16, 2022 7:01:51 GMT X-zero said:

Speaking of women who may leave because off Cody. Shida always seem closer to Cody then Omega. Red Velvet seemed close to the Rhodes family even filling in for the "And Brandi" spots. And Cody seem the main flag bear for the LGBT+ wrestlers so while Sonny was most likely on the chopping block already. I think there is no chance of a renewal now.

It's Sonny's fault for not getting better in the ring. As much as I want her to succeed, she's just not that good.

Red Velvet remains to be seen. I hope she stays. She's great.

Also push Kiera Hogan ffs. It's ridiculous that they aren't using her more. Probably because she's still technically an Impact talent but still. She needs to be pushed.

Feb 16, 2022 7:08:46 GMT c said:

I mean, if you were Tony would you pay him what you pay Punk or Danielson? They are on TV each week and generally are hits. Cody comes out maybe once a month and the crowd is usually dead as they have no idea what to think of him anymore. I mean, is he a face, is he a heel, does this match even matter since he will be gone for a month after it? He is simply not worth top guy pay. And it appears Tony is realizing the pay he was giving is not sustainable anymore if he wants to be able to bring in big guys that WWE releases. For the price of Cody he can likely bring in 6 to 8 other guys and get Regal in the back.

One thing being overlooked a lot is if he wants, he could hire Danger to run the woman's division now. She is proven. She should never wrestle again, but can still book meaningful matches.

If they were just wrestling contracts then no Punk and Danielson are way beyond him. But he runs a training school for AEW, promotes them heavily on TNT shows and spots inbetween movies, does backstage stuff, and wrestles. If you add up everything he does maybe he does deserve it. The crowd isn't dead for him they are booing him since he doesn't seem like a likeable or relatable person.

Feb 16, 2022 7:23:24 GMT RT said:

Feb 16, 2022 6:59:43 GMT NATH45 said:

I let Cody's contract expire as I felt his wrestling wasn’t good enough. #AEWRampage Street Fight TONIGHT!”

- Tony Khan, Twitter.

Honestly it would be fucking sick if he tweeted this.

Feb 16, 2022 7:01:51 GMT X-zero said:

Speaking of women who may leave because off Cody. Shida always seem closer to Cody then Omega. Red Velvet seemed close to the Rhodes family even filling in for the "And Brandi" spots. And Cody seem the main flag bear for the LGBT+ wrestlers so while Sonny was most likely on the chopping block already. I think there is no chance of a renewal now.

It's Sonny's fault for not getting better in the ring. As much as I want her to succeed, she's just not that good.

Red Velvet remains to be seen. I hope she stays. She's great.

Also push Kiera Hogan ffs. It's ridiculous that they aren't using her more. Probably because she's still technically an Impact talent but still. She needs to be pushed.

Kiera isn't Impact anymore. She was fully gone by the time she made her debut. Had they used Fire and Flava doing the forbidden door stuff with Impact she would probably be in a lot better of a position. I don't know her relationship with Cody but I do know she is friends with Big Swole so that could be hurting her.

Feb 16, 2022 7:27:45 GMT X-zero said:

Feb 16, 2022 7:08:46 GMT c said:

I mean, if you were Tony would you pay him what you pay Punk or Danielson? They are on TV each week and generally are hits. Cody comes out maybe once a month and the crowd is usually dead as they have no idea what to think of him anymore. I mean, is he a face, is he a heel, does this match even matter since he will be gone for a month after it? He is simply not worth top guy pay. And it appears Tony is realizing the pay he was giving is not sustainable anymore if he wants to be able to bring in big guys that WWE releases. For the price of Cody he can likely bring in 6 to 8 other guys and get Regal in the back.

One thing being overlooked a lot is if he wants, he could hire Danger to run the woman's division now. She is proven. She should never wrestle again, but can still book meaningful matches.

If they were just wrestling contracts then no Punk and Danielson are way beyond him. But he runs a training school for AEW, promotes them heavily on TNT shows and spots inbetween movies, does backstage stuff, and wrestles. If you add up everything he does maybe he does deserve it. The crowd isn't dead for him they are booing him since he doesn't seem like a likeable or relatable person.

Training school is run by QT and Dustin, Cody not very involved.  Sure he goes on TV and what not, but again, for 4 million just getting some publicity is not worth it.  And 4 is the just the floor, he likely asked for 6 million, or twice his salary, which is what Mox is paid.