wrestling / News
Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes Exit AEW, Tony Khan Issues Statement
– It’s official, Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes are no longer part of AEW. Tony Khan issued the following statement today via the official AEW Twitter, thanking Cody and Brandi for their work in helping to launch All Elite Wrestling:
“Cody and Brandi Rhodes were integral to the launch of All Elite Wrestling. Cody’s ability combined with his boldness and his passion for our industry and his love for community outreach helped AEW deliver on our mission to give fans what they needed for far too long – something new, innovative and lasting. Brandi helped us shape the AEW story, and I appreciate how hard she fought for us both in the ring and out of the ring, competing in the women’s division while advancing our efforts at inclusion and civic causes, including great partnerships with Kulture City and the American Heart Association.
I have immense respect and appreciation for Cody and Brandi, and I wish them both the best as they move on from AEW. Thank you, Cody and Brandi
Tony Khan CEO, President, General Manager & Head of Creative, All Elite Wrestling”
Meanwhile, former AEW founder, EVP, and TNT champion Cody Rhodes issued his own statement via his Twitter account:
“I have loved my time at AEW. Amazing locker room. Amazing fans. Amazing people. The “revolution” was indeed televised, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to be part of that.
First, I want to thank Tony Khan. He’s taken the baton and run with it, and it was an honor to work for him and to know him on a personal level. He’s a beautiful soul. Obviously need to thank my incredible wife and the mother of my baby girl, Brandi, for all of her love and support throughout this journey together and the amazing relationships she fostered with Kulture City and the American Heart Association. I also need to thank Nick and Matt Jackson (these two, whether they know it or not, took an undesired and not confident lir cub and gifted me the confidence to become a leader of the pack), Kenneth Omega, Chris Jericho, Chicken…we started the fire. I must thank Tim W/Keith M/Greg W and the amazing production crew who understood and captured the vision with such grace. I can’t name everybody, but thank you to Megha, Margaret, Harrington, Jeff Jones, Dana, Tony Schiavone, Bern, Raf, and the hardest worker in the game, QT Marshall, for propping me up and kicking me in the ass when I was running on fumes. I must thank all my kiddos… MJF, Jade, Sammy, Darby, Lee, Ricky, Tom, The Gunns, Brock, Velvet, Nyla, Aubrey, Turner, Vanilla, Solo, Spears, Julia, Anna, Will, Wardlow, Sonny, Fuego 1 and of course, -1. While we’re at it, give Jade the Codyvator! Also need to take a moment to thank the great partners at Warner Media including Brett, Sam and the rest of the team. I have so many milestones and beautiful memories of this renaissance…through sweat, blood, tears, literal fire, and all that…I left it all on the mat. Everything pales in comparison to the final contribution I was empowered to lead at the company, the community outreach team. In the most inward moments, your outward behavior and your ability to take fame/influence and do something of value for the communities you visit (whether the cameras are on or off) is the highest honor. I am confident Amanda Huber will lead the department with style. I’m so proud of my creations and contributions and the items I supported or collaborated on with such wonderful professionals.
Thank you, fans. Y’all did the work! Let’s live forever.”
This comes after news surfaced last month that Cody’s AEW contract had expired at the end of 2021. Cody himself then confirmed in an interview following AEW Dynamite Beach Beach that he did not have an official AEW contract and that he was working on a handshake deal with Tony Khan.
Currently, Cody Rhodes still has multiple projects with WarnerMedia. He’s one of the judges for The Go Big Show on TBS. Also, the TNT reality show, Rhodes to the Top, was renewed for another season. The Go Big Show is currently filming. How this news affects a second season of Rhodes to the Top remains to be seen.
Cody was one of the founding members of AEW, signing with the company and being named one of the Executive Vice Presidents at its inception. He later became the first TNT champion, a title he would win two more times. He lost it to interim champion Sammy Guevara in a title unification match at Beach Break.
Brandi Rhodes also joined AEW along with her husband, being named the company’s Chief Brand Officer. She also competed in the ring in AEW and appeared on TV in multiple angles and storylines. She appeared on Dynamite earlier this month to continue her then ongoing angle with Dan Lambert and Men of the Year. She also released her own statement via social media:
“A heartfelt thank you to every fan that has supported me in AEW. It was an honor to be the company’s first Chief Brand Officer. The thank you list is long so I’ll try not to wander. Thank you to Kulture City, Special Olympics Illinois and the American Heart Association for allowing me to cultivate these amazing partnerships. Thank you to every AEW Heel that helped me build a dream community of female fans. Thank you to every AEW wrestler and talent that worked hard to create a great locker room environment. Thank you to the production team, make up team, and seamstresses. Thank you, Dustin, QT, Jerry Lynn and Leva Bates, for every ounce of energy, help and encouragement you provided. Thank you to my husband for being that constant rock and partner every single day. Thank you to TNT, TBS and WarnerMedia for treating my family like your family. Thank you to Tony Khan for giving me this opportunity and platform. I move forward with my daughter and this quote in mind.
“We must take time to define our own path. Too quickly we can find the world defining it for us” – Unknown
Also…
“I’ll see you on the flippity flop” – Michael Scott
Brandi Rhodes
You can view those social postings below:
Thank you Cody and Brandi Rhodes pic.twitter.com/tkDvVpnrrE
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 15, 2022
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) February 15, 2022
Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mvs1lJS0UO
— Brandi Rhodes (@TheBrandiRhodes) February 15, 2022
