Cody Rhodes thinks back on his last promo in All Elite Wrestling and acknowledges that it looks a lot different now.
Rhodes made his return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 as the mystery opponent for Seth Rollins. He famously left the company in 2016, reportedly over creative differences and feeling he could have been utilized better.
After finding success in NJPW and ROH, Cody helped launch AEW in January 2019. After three years, however, his contract with the promotion expired in January and the two sides could not come to an agreement on a new deal, leading to him becoming a free agent and signing with WWE.
Speaking on The Ringer Wrestling Show, Rhodes thought back on the last promo he cut for the company in which he detailed his time post-WWE and how he carried the anti-monopoly sentiment on his shoulders and refused to turn heel because they, the fans, cheered him when he needed it most. Cody wants everyone to know how much he loves them so that they don't spend the next six years thinking otherwise.
"That interview looks a lot different now. I think everyone knew, respectfully, that something was wrong. I wasn’t mad at anybody, I was so happy we set the table and Punk came, Bryan came, Cole came. Great. I can go do my thing now, and that’s be there for MJF and be there for Sammy and the kids. I have to be there for the kids, right? Looking at that interview, I didn’t know then, but I did know, if it happens, I need to get this out. I need them to know how much I appreciated their love in six years. I don’t mind if people boo me or cheer me or whatever, but I want them to know it’s real. I hate the idea that they have something built up about me that’s not and that’s the only time you get to do that, is when you talk. I have some up and down interviews, sometimes they are out of the park home runs and other times they are just, ‘this guy is a lunatic.’ It’s about plate appearances. Sometimes you strike out, sometimes it’s a home run," Rhodes said.
Elsewhere during the interview, Cody offered more explanation on his decision to return to WWE. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
If you missed anything from WrestleMania 38, check out Fightful's full report on the show by clicking here.
If you use the quote above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
