Cody Rhodes has been sidelined with an injury since early June, and left AEW months before that, but we've learned more about his exit from the company.
In speaking with Warner Bros Discovery sources, we're told that several efforts were made within the company to retain Cody Rhodes in AEW. Between AEW, Rhodes to the Top and Go Big Show, Rhodes had developed a good rapport with several in WarnerMedia at the time. We're told that the Cody Rhodes WWE deal wasn't official until a few weeks before WrestleMania, even though WWE considered it a foregone conclusion. As a result, after the merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, there were inquiries in the company completely separate of AEW to gauge Rhodes' interest in staying.
Among those that we're told that made an effort to reach out to Rhodes was Sam Linskey, who serves as Associate General Manager and Senior Vice President of Scripted Original programming for TNT, TBS and TruTv. We've heard that there wasn't any ill will between either side, and Rhodes had told those who asked that it was "time to leave the territory."
In addition, we're told that due to the Rhodes' connections across multiple Warner Bros. Discovery shows, they were also contacted to possibly participate in the UpFronts. We weren't told if that was tied to AEW, the other shows, or a combination.
Those we spoke to at WBD said they would have loved if Cody Rhodes had stayed, but it wasn't a dealbreaker for them. Sources within the company also state that they've been happy with AEW, particularly with their numbers in September.
Also, Fightful had reported this summer that Brandi had participated in some matches at the WWE Performance Center, but we haven't heard of a deal being reached in that regard. We'd also heard she was hopeful she could integrate KultureCity with WWE, as she's a board member of the former.
We've not heard of any subsequent contact between All Elite Wrestling and Brandi, but after the story we ran about WBD's efforts to retain Cody Rhodes, a source familiar with the situation did claim that Warner Bros Discovery had made contact with Brandi in September of 2022.
Those that we've spoken to claim that Brandi and WBD aren't typically in regular contact, but maintain a cordial relationship. We haven't learned the context of the conversation.
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