Cody Rhodes has admitted that he made a mistake in his role in AEW, stating he should have been “a player” in the company, as opposed to a “coach”.
Rhodes was part of the group, known as The Elite, the helped startup AEW alongside Tony Khan.
He was given the title of Executive Vice President in the company, alongside Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks.
In an interview with “Bleacher Report,” Cody Rhodes admitted that he probably should have been more of “a player” in AEW, and less of a coach to the younger talent.
The former TNT Champion ruled himself out of the AEW Championship title hunt for good in 2020, an idea which he himself admitted was not a good idea.
He then left the company in early 2022, after fans turned on him due to his illogical booking and how the “Codyverse” seemed completely separate to the rest of the show.
Speaking to Bleacher Report, Cody Rhodes said:
“I was letting some of them beat me long before they should ever beat me. I wanted them to succeed, and I still do, but it wasn’t time for me to be a coach. It was time for me to be a player.”
Despite being a three-time TNT Champion in AEW, his run in the company still left fans feeling unfulfilled.
With the fans turning against him, booing Cody and his wife Brandi Rhodes out oft he building weekly, he never turned heel in the company.
Instead, he left after his contract expired (following a five-star match against Sammy Guevara), debuting back in the WWE at WrestleMania 38 with a match against Seth Rollins.
He then went on to win the 2023 Royal Rumble match, and will face Roman Reigns for the World title at WrestleMania 39.