More Backstage Details on Cody Rhodes No Longer Under AEW Contract

– As previously reported, news surfaced earlier this week that current AEW TNT champion and company EVP Cody Rhodes is a free agent and not working under a contract with AEW right now. Dave Meltzer commented on the situation on F4WOnline.com forums and also today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer said today that Rhodes is still with AEW.

After rumors of Cody Rhodes being a free agent surfaced, that started speculation among fans on social media that Cody Rhodes might appear as a surprise entrant for the Royal Rumble, either as Cody or his former WWE alter-ego, Stardust. According to Meltzer, no one from AEW is going to be appearing in the Royal Rumble, including Jon Moxley, who fans also speculated could appear as a surprise entrant.

Additionally, Meltzer reported that Cody will still be appearing on AEW Dynamite tomorrow (Jan. 19) and that Tony Khan would not allow his talents to appear at a WWE pay-per-view event. Meltzer also speculated that the reason Cody Rhodes hasn’t signed his new contract yet is that he hasn’t been at an AEW show recently due to his self-quarantine for COVID-19. Meltzer noted that Cody had to fly home from Newark, New Jersey instead of attending AEW Dynamite in the city on January 5 due to a family COVID-19 issue.

As previously reported, Cody announced on January 8 that he and wife Brandi Rhodes were in self-quarantine with family who tested positive for COVID-19.

Meltzer also noted this week via Twitter that Cody Rhodes is still slated to work on another season of the AEW reality show, Rhodes to the Top, WarnerMedia.

In a post on the F4WOnline.com forums, Melzer stated that a person near the top of AEW told him that the news of Cody being a free agent could be a “publicity stunt,” but the source didn’t know this for certain. Meltzer stated in the forum post, “Almost everyone is avoiding me today there, so either it’s true and they are all mad it’s out or it’s a work and they don’t want to lie to me.”

Cody Rhodes is still currently expected to appear on tomorrow’s edition of AEW Dynamite.

He is currently slated to do a second season of Rhodes to the Top so that probably tells you more than you want to know. https://t.co/ebxsX1Gmx4

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 17, 2022