Is Cody Rhodes Back in WWE?

Is Cody Rhodes back in WWE? The answer may surprise you.

Introduction

Cody Rhodes, real name Cody Garrett Runnels, is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is one-half of the current AEW World Tag Team Champions with Adam Page in their first reign.

Rhodes is also known for his time in WWE where he performed under the ring name Cody Rhodes from 2007 to 2016. After leaving WWE, Rhodes wrestled on the independent circuit under his birth name and also began working as an actor. He has since appeared in various television shows and movies, including Arrow and The Invincible Iron Man.

In October 2019, it was announced that Rhodes would be returning to WWE for the first time in three years, as part of the SmackDown Fox debut.

Cody Rhodes’ Departure from WWE

On May 22nd, 2016, WWE superstar Cody Rhodes announced his departure from WWE. This was a huge shock to the wrestling world, as Cody had been with WWE for nearly a decade. In the weeks since his departure, there has been a lot of speculation as to whether or not Cody will return to WWE. Let’s take a look at the facts.

Why Cody Rhodes Left WWE

On May 22, 2016, it was reported that Cody Rhodes had asked for and been granted his release from WWE. The following day, Rhodes confirmed his departure on Twitter.

Rhodes’ departure came as a surprise to many, as he had only recently been elevated to the main roster, appearing on WWE programming as one-half of the tag team “The Kingdom” with Matt Hardy. Prior to that, Rhodes had been a fixture of WWE’s midcard for over a decade, winning the Intercontinental Championship three times and the Tag Team Championship twice.

So why did Cody Rhodes leave WWE? Here are five possible reasons:

1. He was dissatisfied with his position in WWE

For someone who had been with WWE for over a decade, Cody Rhodes was surprisingly low on the totem pole in terms of main event status. He was never able to break through to the top of the card, and even when he was placed in high-profile matches or storylines, it always seemed like he was playing second fiddle to someone else. It’s possible that Rhodes became fed up with being stuck in midcard purgatory and decided to pursue other opportunities.

2. He wanted more creative control over his character

Cody Rhodes is a second-generation wrestler whose father Dusty Rhodes is a legend in the business. It’s possible that Cody felt he knew best how to play the character of “Cody Rhodes” and wanted more control over his own narrative than WWE was willing to give him.

3. He wanted to distance himself from the “Rhodes” name

While “Cody Rhodes” has always been his legal name, he started using the surname “Runnels” (his mother’s maiden name) after joining The Legacy stable in 2009. It’s possible that Cody felt pigeonholed by the “Rhodes” name and thought he would have more success if he went by something else. (It should be noted that Matt Hardy has also used multiple surnames over the years for similar reasons.)

4. He wanted to start his own wrestling promotion

In recent years, there have been several wrestlers who have left WWE in order to start their own wrestling promotions (most notably CM Punk and Wade Barrett). It’s possible that Cody saw this as an opportunity to not only have more creative control over his character, but also make more money in the long run by owning equity in a company.

What Cody Rhodes has been up to since leaving WWE

Since leaving WWE in 2016, Cody Rhodes has been one of the most prolific wrestlers on the independents, working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and Impact Wrestling, among others. He is a former ROH World Champion and NJPW IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and is currently one of the stars of AEW.

Is Cody Rhodes Back in WWE?

Cody Rhodes was last seen in WWE at the 2017 Royal Rumble. He has since left WWE and gone on to have success in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is now the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Rumors are circulating that he could be making a return to WWE soon. Let’s take a look at the evidence.

The Rumors

Are the rumors true? Is Cody Rhodes coming back to WWE?

According to PWInsider, there is “a lot of talk” within WWE that Cody Rhodes could be returning to the company.

However, the report notes that it is “unknown how serious” the talks are and whether or not a deal is actually close to being finalized.

Cody Rhodes has been away from WWE since May 2016, when he requested his release from the company.

Since then, he has competed for various independent wrestling promotions, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and All Elite Wrestling.

While WWE has not confirmed any plans for Cody Rhodes’ return, it would certainly be a huge coup for the company if they are able to bring him back.

Cody Rhodes is a hugely popular performer with a large fan following, and his return would no doubt generate a lot of excitement among WWE fans.

The Evidence

The internet is currently ablaze with speculation that former WWE superstar Cody Rhodes could be making his way back to the company.

The rumor started when a fan noticed that Rhodes’ name was included on WWE’s Alumni section of their website. Couple that with the fact that Chris Jericho recently said that he would love to have Rhodes back in WWE, and it’s easy to see why people are talking.

Rhodes has not been seen in WWE since he left the company in 2016. Since then, he has gone on to have great success in other promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor.

Recently, Rhodes has been working on a web series called “The Young Bucks,” which chronicles the rise of the popular wrestling tag team. The show is set to debut on November 5th, and it’s possible that Rhodes could be appearing on WWE programming around that time to promote it.

Of course, this is all just speculation at this point. Only time will tell if Cody Rhodes is truly making his way back to WWE.

What it Means for WWE

Cody Rhodes, who recently left WWE, is rumored to be returning to the company. This has major implications for WWE.

First and foremost, it means that WWE is losing one of its top stars. Cody was a vital part of WWE’s roster, and his absence will be felt. Additionally, it means that WWE will have to scramble to find a replacement for him.

Second, it means that WWE is losing one of its top heels. Cody was a superb heel, and his absence will leave a big hole in WWE’s roster. Third, it means that the rematch between him and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 32 just got a lot more interesting.

Fourth, it means that WWE is losing one of its top draw cards. Cody was able to generate a lot of interest in WWE, and his return will surely boost ratings and attendance.

Lastly, it means that WWE is losing one of its most polarizing figures. Cody was both loved and hated by fans, and his return will surely add some spice to WWE programming.

Conclusion

After making his in-ring return at All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view last month, Cody Rhodes has continued to stay busy on the independent wrestling scene.

On June 29, it was announced that Rhodes would be appearing at Northeast Wrestling’s Wreslutemania VI event on July 13. The following day, it was announced that Rhodes would be appearing at Game Changer Wrestling’s Joey Janela’s LAConfidential event on July 6.

Rhodes is also scheduled to appear at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s Battle of Los Angeles tournament from September 14-16.