Cody Rhodes has opened up about the surprising and emotional circumstances that led to his dramatic departure from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and his historic return to WWE in 2022. In a candid conversation on his podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Rhodes revealed that what was intended as a routine meeting with WWE executives quickly became a life-altering moment he “didn’t expect” to result in such earth-shaking career moves[2][3].
After founding AEW and serving as an executive vice president there, Rhodes’ decision to leave the promotion in early 2022 shocked wrestling fans worldwide. His departure was followed swiftly by a return to WWE—his original wrestling home—culminating in a high-profile WrestleMania 38 appearance where he challenged Seth Rollins[1][4]. However, behind this abrupt transition was a meeting with WWE leadership that Rhodes described as overwhelming and unexpected.
WWE executive Bruce Prichard and then-Chairman Vince McMahon had invited Rhodes to discuss the possibility of a comeback. According to Prichard’s recount on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, their goal was straightforward: to welcome Rhodes back home. “Our anticipation and our expectation, frankly, was one of, ‘Hey, man, Cody, we want you to come home,’” Prichard said. He added that WWE considered Rhodes’ return vital and would not leave the meeting without at least a handshake agreement on his future with the company[2][3].
Rhodes himself admitted the meeting had an emotional toll. He described the experience as hitting him “like a car wreck,” an intense moment that made him realize the door to WWE was wide open and that the company was eagerly awaiting his return after years of building up AEW[2]. This meeting reshaped the trajectory of his career and intensified the wrestling industry’s ongoing narrative of loyalty and legacy.
Despite the abruptness of his AEW departure, Rhodes made it clear that the full details remain confidential. On his podcast, he hinted that a significant chapter of his story is “locked behind a wall,” preventing him from sharing every aspect publicly. He expressed frustration that his recollections are often misrepresented or accused of rewriting history, despite clear evidence existing on social media[1]. This suggests deeper negotiations and personal considerations took place behind the scenes, which contributed to his shock exit.
Since his WWE return, Rhodes has enjoyed tremendous success and has proven the value of WWE’s faith in him. At WrestleMania 38, he captured the WWE Championship, fulfilling a career-long goal and ending his narrative arc in WWE with high acclaim. Following that, he became Undisputed WWE Champion for the second time by defeating John Cena at SummerSlam, cementing his status as one of the company’s top superstars[1][4].
Sources close to Rhodes have noted his gratitude toward WWE leadership—including Bruce Prichard, Triple H, Nick Khan, and Vince McMahon—for facilitating his comeback and giving him the platform to reach new career heights. Reflecting on his journey, Rhodes described himself as “very grateful” for the outcome, acknowledging the so-called “schism” between AEW and WWE but emphasizing how fortunate he feels to be competing at the highest level on WWE’s biggest stages[4].
Rhodes’ behind-the-scenes story offers a rare glimpse into the complex dynamics between rival wrestling promotions and the human element in career decisions that reverberate through the wrestling world. WWE.com’s coverage, Fightful’s reports, and Rhodes’ own podcast interviews consistently highlight the mix of respect, ambition, and emotion involved in this chapter of his career.
As Rhodes prepares for future WWE appearances and title pursuits, fans eagerly anticipate more revelations when he eventually tells the full story—perhaps in the book he has long hinted at writing. Until then, the wrestling world watches the American Nightmare continue his reign as Undisputed WWE Champion and carry forward a legacy defined by resilience, bold decisions, and unforgettable moments[1][2][4].