When Cody Rhodes was originally released from WWE in 2016, he was determined to prove himself. Having been stuck as Stardust, Rhodes knew reinvention was needed – and a time on the indies would birth The American Nightmare.
Ring of Honor & New Japan Pro Wrestling showed this new character to the world, and what followed was the creation of All Elite Wrestling.
Rhodes was set up as one of the top names of AEW, but when his contract ended – he would leave. This made him the first and currently only member of The Elite to exit the company. Returning to WWE, Rhodes took a gamble – but instantly knew it was the right choice.
Cody Rhodes Reveals When Choice To Return To WWE Paid Off
While speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful – Cody Rhodes would reveal the moment he knew he made the right choice in returning to WWE.
“Night after WrestleMania in Dallas, I saw so many kids in the crowd who didn’t care about what I had done for three years or the ten years before that.
They were present, in the moment, they thought the guy who had just come in was cool and they were going to be part of it and they liked the energy.
It was at that point where I felt, the thing you have been seeking, the cool moves, great. Wonderful promos, great.
Trying to make them wonderful and trying to hit home runs with everything, but that connection is what we do. It’s why guys and girls get into it and it’s why it’s hard to walk away and why it’s so fun to come back.
That night at WrestleMania. I knew something special was happening and I’m here for it.”
Rhodes would recently say that it was not a hard choice to leave AEW behind. He would even call it the easiest choice he’s made in his career.
At SummerSlam 2023, Rhodes would defeat Brock Lesnar, putting him back on a main event level. Rhodes would team with former rival Seth Rollins on Monday Night RAW. This match was crucial in putting him in the mix for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Do you think Rhodes made the right choice leaving AEW for WWE? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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