Backstage News On How WWE May Present Cody Rhodes

Two high-profile people within WWE want Cody Rhodes to be presented in the exact same manner to his AEW character when he debuts with the company.

According to WrestleVotes, these two individuals have been adamant to Vince McMahon that this should happen, including his entire presentation.

This ranges from his ring gear, theme music, and pyro. They believe that the visual impact of having the ‘American Nightmare’ crossing the line from AEW to WWE is significant to this deal. Of course, while it has been reported that Cody Rhodes is returning to WWE, nothing has been made official yet.

Since Cody Rhodes’ AEW contract came to an end, he has not been seen inside a wrestling ring. The former three-time TNT Champion is believed to be facing Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38 this year.

Rollins is currently without an opponent at WrestleMania and this turned into a major storyline on Raw over the past few weeks. Rollins has claimed in storyline that Raw will not start next week until he gets an opponent. It is unknown if this is when Cody will be turning up, or if his debut will be saved for WrestleMania.

During a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, Chris Jericho seemed to confirm that Cody is heading back to WWE. During the introduction of his podcast episode, he claimed that he is now back with the company.

“I’m pulling back the curtain a little bit on the wrestling business,” Jericho said. “You’re gonna discover how I’ve been able to be Chris Jericho no matter what company I work for or where I wrestle. You’ll hear how Danhausen gets to keep his name and gimmick from promotion to promotion. How Cody got to reclaim Rhodes from WWE even though he’s back in WWE…”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Chris Jericho Confirms Cody Rhodes Has Signed With WWE

On his Talk is Jericho podcast earlier this week, Chris Jericho confirmed that Cody Rhodes is bound for WWE.

Jericho had ‘Gimmick Attorney’ Mike Dockins as a guest on the show, and they spoke in length about wrestlers’ trademark battles with WWE. While describing what Dockins does, Jericho confirmed that Rhodes will be returning to WWE TV soon.

“I’m pulling back the curtain a little bit on the wrestling business,” Jericho said. “You’re gonna discover how I’ve been able to be Chris Jericho no matter what company I work for or where I wrestle. You’ll hear how Danhausen gets to keep his name and gimmick from promotion to promotion. How Cody got to reclaim Rhodes from WWE even though he’s back in WWE…”

Cody Rhodes is rumored to wrestle Seth Rollins at the upcoming WrestleMania 38 premium live event. He is expected to be a part of the RAW brand, according to PWInsder. As per several other reports, Rhodes will also appear at the RAW after Mania on Monday, April 4.

This week’s RAW ended with a seething Seth Rollins threatening to hijack next week’s show unless he gets to be on the WrestleMania 38 card. The fans in attendance at the Allstate Arena chanted “Cody” in response, as Rollins continued to wreak havoc at ringside. Rhodes could potentially show up at the Mania go-home episode of RAW this Monday at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Cody Rhodes Hints During Seth Rollins Match On WWE RAW?

Soon after Seth Rollins lost to Kevin Owens in the main event of this week’s RAW, announcer Corey Graves would drop several Cody Rhodes hints.

Graves mentioned how Rollins’ WrestleMania hopes had been “dashed” and “his dream has become a nightmare.”

For those who missed RAW, Rollins set up a match with his friend Owens with the stipulation being that if he won, he’d get to replace Owens in the segment with WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38. Since Owens prevailed with the win, his KO Show segment with Austin will go ahead as planned.

Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins is rumored to take place at WrestleMania 38. Earlier on Monday, Dave Meltzer reported that the match is still listed internally for next month’s event.

Meltzer’s latest update came a week after he reported that Rhodes’ WWE situation was “back up in the air,” with WWE creative being asked to hold off on plans until Rhodes signs a WWE contract.

Since Monday’s RAW was held in Jacksonville, the home of AEW, there had been a lot of speculation of Cody Rhodes returning to WWE TV this week. With WrestleMania 38 less than three weeks away, Seth Rollins is still without a match at the Showcase of Immortals.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Report: AEW EVP Believes Cody Rhodes Has Signed With WWE

At least one AEW EVP believes free agent wrestler Cody Rhodes is bound for WWE, according to Fightful Select.

The report noted that as of last weekend, at least one AEW EVP “fully believed that Cody Rhodes was signed or was signing with WWE and would face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.”

The news outlet added they haven’t been able to confirm Rhodes’ WWE status or potential debut date.

Last week, Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Rhodes’ WWE situation was “back up in the air,” with WWE creative being asked to hold off on plans until Rhodes signs a WWE contract. The report also noted that Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins was previously penciled in for WrestleMania 38, but that was when Rhodes was expected to sign with WWE.

According to Dave Meltzer, upper-level WWE sources “don’t know what happened with the Rhodes talks” and have halted all Rhodes-related plans. With Monday’s RAW being held in Jacksonville, there has been a lot of chatter on social media of Rhodes returning to WWE TV this week.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On Cody Rhodes’ Contract Talks With WWE

WWE has reportedly been pushing to sign former AEW wrestler and EVP Cody Rhodes. Here is the latest.

The wrestling world continues to await the announcement of Cody Rhodes’ next professional wrestling chapter, but nothing appears to be imminent.

Last month, Cody and Brandi Rhodes parted ways with AEW after failing to reach agreements on new deals. Cody was an Executive Vice President in AEW, and Brandi worked as the company’s Chief Brand Officer. Both were instrumental in building up AEW as a major promotion, so their departures were massively unexpected

Many assumed that Cody would quickly strike a deal with WWE and return to the place where his pro wrestling career started. But fast forward three weeks after his AEW departure, and The American Nightmare remains a free agent.

In an update on the F4WOnline.com message board (h/t WrestlingNews.co), Dave Meltzer wrote that contract talks between Cody and AEW “hit a snag.” Meltzer reported that the 36-year-old wrestler “has multiple offers”, and that WWE would like him to make his decision “soon.”

Meltzer added that the “ball is in” Cody’s court. It should be noted that Cody isn’t under a non-compete clause of any kind, so he’s free to sign with another promotion whenever. WWE has done their part in trying to bring Rhodes aboard, and now the second-generation wrestler has to decide if he wants to sign on for a second tenure with the company.

It was previously reported that Cody was on WWE’s WrestleMania 38 internal documents, but that apparently is no longer the case. If WWE wants Cody to return before or at WrestleMania weekend on Apr. 2-3, the clock is ticking on that front.

WWE has had three weeks now to reach a deal with Cody Rhodes. Vince McMahon certainly isn’t one to go back-and-forth over a lengthy period with a specific wrestler when it comes to contract talks. WWE has made it clear how much they’d like Cody to come aboard. It’s now a simple waiting game as they await his decision.

Source: TheSportster

Talks Between Cody Rhodes & WWE Have Reportedly “Fizzled Out”

Cody and Brandi Rhodes parted ways with AEW two weeks ago. There was speculation that Cody would return to WWE, but it may not happen after all.

Wrestling fans wanting to see Cody Rhodes return to WWE better not get their hopes up too high.

Two weeks ago, Cody and Brandi Rhodes parted ways with AEW. Aside from wrestling, Cody served as an Executive Vice President in AEW, and Brandi was the company’s Chief Brand Officer. Multiple reports later suggested that Cody would eventually return to WWE, but that may not be the case after all.

According to a report from Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net, there were indeed contract discussions between The American Nightmare and WWE. However, Haynes was told that the “conversations have since fizzled out.”

Sources also informed Haynes that the departures of Cody and Brandi was “real life” and “not a work.” One source told Haynes that there is some “hope” about Cody potentially returning to AEW.

On this week’s episode of Dynamite, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan announced that he purchased Ring of Honor. Naturally, this has led to speculation that Cody could end up returning to AEW in some capacity. The 36-year-old wrestler worked in Ring of Honor following his departure from WWE in 2016, winning the ROH World Championship on one occasion.

AEW has signed a plethora of former WWE superstars since their inception in 2019. Having Vince McMahon bring Cody back following the latter’s AEW departure would have made for an interesting story, but that’s now up in the air.

It should be noted that Cody’s AEW departure did not include a non-compete clause of any kind, so he’s free to sign with another promotion at any time.

Even if talks between Cody and WWE haven’t led to a contract agreement, it doesn’t mean he won’t eventually return to the company. Cody may feel inclined to explore all of his options before committing to another promotion. He was often underused by WWE in his final years with the company, so it’s understandable if he’s hesitant about returning. For now, he remains one of the top free agents on the wrestling market, and Cody will be a valuable addition to the company that lands him.

Source: TheSportster

Edge Issues WrestleMania Open Challenge: References, AJ Styles, Fin Balor And Cody Rhodes

Edge returned to WWE on Monday night for the first time since beating Miz and Maryse alongside Beth Phoenix at Royal Rumble. Unsurprising that he skipped Elimination Chamber as Edge has been fairly outspoken on how uncomfortable he feels about the Saudi shows. On Raw, Edge issued an open challenge for WrestleMania, and while the challenge wasn’t answered, there were plenty of hints as to who might step up.

Edge spoke to the camera and dropped words like phenomenal and demon, hints that the person to step up to his challenge might be AJ Styles, or Finn Balor. However, the hint that stood out above the others was the mention of undeniable, and smoke and mirrors, very deliberate references to Rhodes. If the former AEW star really is coming back to WWE, a WrestleMania match against The Rated R Superstar certainly sounds like the sort of thing that would have tempted him to sign.

Will The American Nightmare be the one to answer the call?

The Rhodes saga has been fascinating thus far, and whether he really is re-signing with WWE or not, the company is certainly having fun with it. To the point that it seems he will almost definitely show up some time otherwise there wouldn’t be so many overt references to him. Like Rhodes or not, if and when he does show up, it will be a huge moment.

Source: TheSportster

Cody Rhodes Hasn’t Signed With WWE & An AEW Return Is Reportedly Possible

Apparently, AEW’s door hasn’t shut on Cody Rhodes just yet.

Cody Rhodes is thought to be an imminent WWE signing following his AEW departure this week but, as reports would have it, the former All Elite EVP isn’t completely out the door just yet.

The American Nightmare was reported to have fashioned a move away from the promotion due to a number of issues, including a loss of booking power, financial disagreements, and other personal problems with Tony Khan. His wife, Brandi, left along with him. And while Cody is rumored to be WWE bound, sources claim she won’t be joining him there should he sign.

Vince McMahon is reportedly very excited over the possibility of having Rhodes back on the roster and plans to give him a major push if it comes to that. There’s already talk of the former AEW superstar being involved in tapings this coming weekend while there’s been speculation pointing to a match at WrestleMania 38.

As things stand, though, Rhodes is still a free agent, and reaching a deal with AEW isn’t yet out of the question.

According to Fightful (H/T WrestlingNews.co), the show Rhodes To The Top has not been canceled, and the direction is still being discussed. The show is centered on Cody and Brandi’s AEW life but was produced by Shed media US and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television so, theoretically, it could go on without involvement from AEW.

Said publication also reports that Rhodes has not put pen to paper on a deal with WWE and, until such a time, there’s a chance of him returning to AEW.

Khan was said to be in a poor mood after talks ended with Rhodes earlier this week, which could be because he wanted him to stay. The former TNT Champion had mentioned his unhappiness to the other company EVPs around two weeks ago, but they all expected him to agree to a deal.

Source: TheSportster

New Details On Why Cody Rhodes Left AEW, Cody To WWE Update, Brandi

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso reports that multiple sources have said Brandi is not expected to join Cody in WWE.

It was also said that Cody could begin working for WWE as soon as this weekend, potentially visiting the WWE Performance Center in Orlando to film segments for his return.

Rhodes left WWE back in 2016 after being frustrated with a lack of direction, and dissatisfaction with certain members of the WWE creative team, mainly over his Stardust character. It was noted that this will be a non-factor in his upcoming return to WWE as he is expected to have a far different relationship with Vince and the writing team.

Regarding Cody’s AEW departure, Barrasso reports that another key factor in the decision was losing all responsibilities related to booking. Rhodes was originally a part of the process, but Khan, as AEW’s Head of Creative, has taken full control.

There is no timeframe for Rhodes’ return to WWE, but Barrasso reports that sources have confirmed he is headed back. There is also no word on if a deal has been reached. It’s believed that Rhodes could end up being a WrestleMania 38 surprise, or WWE could hold him off until the RAW After WrestleMania, which is the biggest RAW episode of the year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Vince McMahon Reportedly Has Huge Plans For Cody Rhodes WWE Comeback

WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon is planning to give Cody Rhodes “a major match at WrestleMania” if Rhodes were to return to WWE, according to Wade Keller of PWTorch.

On his latest audio show, Keller noted how McMahon views Rhodes’ AEW exit “as a big deal” and wants to treat it accordingly.

“Cody and WWE haven’t confirmed it but Cody is going to WWE and he’s going to get a big push,” Keller said. “Vince McMahon is going to treat this as a big deal. Everybody I talked to thinks Vince loves the idea of acquiring a co-founder and EVP and, you know, main event wrestler. He just held their secondary singles title not that long ago, and having him show up on WWE TV is something that Vince is very interested in taking advantage of and making money on it. It could even be a situation where Cody is in a major match at WrestleMania.”

Keller said he had “four plus hours of conversations” with his sources within AEW and WWE, which led him to believe that Rhodes is expected to be on the WrestleMania 38 card.

“I fully expect Cody to be on WrestleMania either as a wrestler or making his first appearance,” Keller said. “I don’t know if they can hold back on putting him on TV so I could even see him appearing on Raw or SmackDown next week. I’m not aware of there being any kind of non-compete at this point since he’s been a free agent for a while so Cody could appear. I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s even some augmentation to the booking plans for WrestleMania perhaps related to the Elimination Chamber in order to set the stage for Cody to do something really big at WrestleMania.”

Keller continued, “I think Cody will get a big push, at least at first. You know, there’s different opinions on whether Vince is going to resent Cody for creating competition or admire Cody for his entrepreneurial spirit and being classy about it the whole way. You know, Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff, Jeff Jarrett, they all competed with Vince [and] they all got jobs again. So, you know, we’ll, we’ll see how it goes. Vince saw Cody as a mid-carder. He saw Christian as a mid-carder. Christian went to Impact Wrestling and won a world title…He came back, he got a better push, but it wasn’t at the level of Edge, which is what, you know, Christian always wanted. He wanted to be at the Edge level.”

It is being widely reported that Cody Rhodes is in talks with WWE about a potential comeback. Since Rhodes is not under a non-compete clause with AEW, he is free to appear on WWE TV immediately.

Source: Wrestling Inc.