Cody Rhodes is one of the most influential figures in modern professional wrestling, not just for his in-ring performances but for his bold career decisions. Recently, he explained why his departure from WWE to help launch All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was considered “unheard of” at the time, highlighting the personal and professional growth he experienced during his absence from WWE.
The Unprecedented Move: Leaving WWE at His Peak
When Cody Rhodes left WWE in 2016, the move was highly unusual for someone with his pedigree. At that time, WWE was the undisputed global wrestling powerhouse, and departing from it, especially for an independent venture or a new promotion, was seen as a significant risk. Rhodes acknowledged in interviews that, for most performers in his position, leaving WWE felt almost like stepping into the unknown. Few wrestlers had ever dared to walk away voluntarily from a company so dominant and secure.
According to Cody, “Leaving WWE as a talent with a strong position was something that had almost never been done before. It was risky because you didn’t know what the future held, but it was necessary for me to grow” [Wrestling Inc.].
Growing as a Performer Outside WWE
Outside WWE, Rhodes took the opportunity to reinvent himself and prove his abilities beyond the constraints of the scripted environment he had known. He honed his craft in various independent promotions, including Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and others. This phase allowed him to experiment with his character, storytelling, and ring psychology in ways WWE had limited.
Sources close to Rhodes revealed that this period was transformational for him. “Cody returned to wrestling with a renewed passion and a creative freedom he hadn’t felt before. It was clear to insiders that he was becoming a more confident and versatile performer,” said a WWE insider familiar with his journey.
This growth culminated in his pivotal role in co-founding AEW in 2019, a company that emerged as WWE’s first serious competitor in decades.
Building AEW: More Than Just a Wrestler
Cody Rhodes’ role in AEW was more than that of a wrestler; he was an Executive Vice President and a key architect of the promotion. The creation of AEW itself was a groundbreaking moment for the industry, offering wrestlers an alternative platform with fresh creative opportunities.
However, even within the promotion he helped build, Cody faced challenges. In candid interviews discussing his eventual departure from AEW in early 2022, Rhodes described feelings of creative frustration and disrespect, which contributed to his decision to return to WWE.
He said, “If I ever felt disrespected at WWE, I’d understand it because it’s a massive, established company. But feeling disrespected in something I built with my closest friends? That’s something I couldn’t accept” [Post Wrestling]. This quote illustrates the personal and professional tensions that led him to reconsider his direction despite his initial enthusiasm for AEW.
The Return to WWE: A New Chapter
Cody’s return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022 was a highly emotional and symbolic moment. It marked not only his comeback as an in-ring performer but also a renegotiation of his role and identity within WWE.
Despite the ups and downs outside WWE, Rhodes recognized the platform and legacy that the company represented, famously comparing WWE to the “New York Yankees” of wrestling—an established institution where he had once felt like just a number but had now returned on his own terms.
A source close to Cody noted, “He returned with a renewed sense of purpose. The fan response and his creative freedom have both been major factors in his successful reintegration.”
Why His Path Was (and Still Is) Unconventional
Cody Rhodes’ career trajectory—from leaving WWE to co-founding a rival major promotion, and then returning to WWE—is still exceptional in the wrestling industry. His path challenged long-standing norms about loyalty, career progression, and creative control within wrestling.
Industry insiders have noted that his move has paved the way for other wrestlers to consider alternative options beyond WWE’s monopoly. As one backstage WWE source put it, “Cody’s story changed the game. Wrestlers now see there’s more than one way to build a legacy, but not all can pull it off the way he did.”
The Legacy of the ‘American Nightmare’
Cody’s “American Nightmare” persona, which he developed and evolved largely outside WWE, symbolizes his journey of reinvention and grit. The character allowed him to express a complex mix of anti-hero traits that resonated with fans hungry for authenticity and compelling storytelling.
He once told an interviewer, “We were sitting on something magic with the American Nightmare. If I couldn’t unleash that in the house I helped build, then I had to go find a place where I could” [Sports Illustrated]. This philosophy drove much of his decision-making, highlighting the importance of creative fulfillment in his career.
What’s Next for Cody Rhodes?
Now firmly back in WWE, Cody Rhodes has taken on a leadership role that extends behind the scenes while continuing to compete at a high level. His influence on WWE’s creative landscape is significant, signaling a possible shift toward more nuanced storytelling and character work.
His journey—from a top WWE star, to AEW co-founder, to his current incarnation—demonstrates the evolving nature of professional wrestling careers in the 21st century.
The story of Cody Rhodes’ departure from WWE to start AEW, and then his eventual return, remains one of wrestling’s most compelling narratives. It underscores the themes of ambition, risk, growth, and the ongoing search for respect and creative freedom in a fiercely competitive industry.