Cody Rhodes. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

'He is the guy': Cody Rhodes is AEW's biggest loss to date

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 3/27/24

Cody Rhodes is shining for WWE. He's arguably the biggest star in the company. He won the last two Royal Rumbles. He's about to headline both nights of WrestleMania. He's among the top merchandise sellers. And he's a genuine fan favorite.

As such, longtime wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer believes Rhodes' departure from AEW is the single biggest blow to the company since its inception in 2019.

"Of all the things that happened that you’re gonna say as far as hurting AEW and helping WWE, it was Cody," Meltzer said on a recent episode of 'We're Live, Pal.' "Night in, night out he’s the biggest star in the company because the other two or whatever are very much part time. He is the guy. And you take him out of the mix — they would still be probably doing good and [Rhodes] wasn’t in that original Bloodline feud with Sami Zayn but once that thing ran its course, Cody’s really carried the ball."

Rhodes left AEW in February 2022. He instantly became a hit with the WWE fan base and has gone from strength to strength. Still, it's likely that CM Punk's acrimonious departure ranks second on the list of blows to the company. The fact both are now back with WWE certainly makes things sting a little more.

Nevertheless, everything has worked out well for both sides. Rhodes is a global superstar, and AEW recently landed three new high-level talents: Will Ospreay, Mercedes Mone and Kazuchika Okada. Both companies are trending upward.

Still, AEW fans are likely wondering how things would have turned out if Tony Khan had convinced Rhodes to stay. Unfortunately, those fans will be watching The American Nightmare strut his stuff at WrestleMania on April 7 and 8.

More must-reads: