Mike Santana Knew Cody Rhodes Was Going To Leave AEW for WWE

Former AEW star Mike Santana joins Chris to discuss why he expected Cody Rhodes to jump from AEW to WWE long before the WWE Superstar did so.
Watch the full interview with Mike Santana on my main ‪@ChrisVanVliet‬ channel here: • Mike Santana on Leavin...
Email: [e-mail]
Follow CVV on social media:
Instagram: ChrisVanVliet
Twitter: ChrisVanVliet
Facebook: ChrisVanVliet
KZbin: / chrisvanvliet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet
#mikesantana #codyrhodes #wwe

[@CVVCLIPS]

Watch the full interview with Mike Santana on my main channel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKLEpniYfqybnq8

[@TimLoyalToWifeHaterFreeZoneA]

Love It CVVCLIPS Bro.

[@mr.whisper3338]

Cody crying with him...damn. That's real shit.

[@kevinmeeks5169]

Damn, when he was talking about Cody finishing the story being real gave me chills

[@stormshadow631]

Gay

[@martynduro6722]

Supergay

[@Natehigger_uwu]

@@stormshadow631shut up retarded lil kid

[@Natehigger_uwu]

@@martynduro6722get back to work goblin looking boy

[@Natehigger_uwu]

@@stormshadow631retard lil kid be quiet

[@travisprice1325]

People shitting on Cody. He's the realest dude today.

[@JimCornetta]

How so? He fake cries all the time he uses words that aren’t natural he’s about as fake as you can be

[@JCGaming13]

@@JimCornettaget a grip & stop hating man, if even a story like this can’t make you drop the agenda it’s time to realise you’re in too deep

[@JimCornetta]

@@JCGaming13 only one in too deep is one of your stepdads

[@JCGaming13]

@@JimCornetta The most inbred american response possible lmao

[@rocklobster5074]

​@@JimCornettayour name is cringe

[@joelvinson]

If this doesn't make you like Cody, I don't know what will. I'd have a beer with the dude.

[@Crudes.]

Look I like Cody but this one clip doesn't make anyone like "Cody" lol

[@blablablaa14]

It has to be Jericho. Santana doesn't like Jericho and he said go back. Who was there in the beginning from WWE? Cody and Jericho

[@JusRed48]

Jericho himself also said he would inevitably leave AEW one day, when Cody went to WWE.

[@CornBreadtm1]

He's 100% talking about Jericho. There weren't a lot of WWE people around at the beginning. And he's talking about when he was fully active.

[@JoeKnowsWorst]

am I missing something? didn’t hear anything in the clip where he said it was someone from the beginning at AEW’s launch, so it could be Samoa Joe, I mean he would still be in WWE if it weren’t for their budget cuts and Vince!

[@MikeG1]

Yep. He'll get that hof next year or 26'.

[@thedogwoods5716]

@@JoeKnowsWorsthe said he knew “off the bat” meaning at the beginning

[@Mjamess2000]

Malakai Black or Miro. Gotta be, i honestly see both of them coming back. Keith Lee is another but i see it more being the 2 guys i listed over Keith

[@darbs3168]

Keith's career is over.. he has serious health problems.. he can't wrestle anymore

[@Mjamess2000]

@@darbs3168 yeah I do have to give AEW the benefit of the doubt for not using him much because of his health issues. Keith Lee unfortunately is more of a liability than an asset to AEW to no fault of his own

[@ShellShockTheTruth]

@@darbs3168 i really hope its not a bray wyatt-like issue or a brodie lee thing . Dont want to wake up the next day and see the news

[@IAEMThatIAEM]

they can but there will be no push

[@juan2011svr1]

Personally want to see Buddy Matthews back as well. A pleasure to watch in the ring.

[@TheJDough1]

Jericho

[@therealjd4life]

Jericho has like 3 years left on his contract...they resigned him last year

[@TheJDough1]

@@therealjd4life He’ll go back still.

[@rittis013]

I'm 100% sure Jericho will go back there someday and back and fort to AEW again

[@bigbay1159]

@@TheJDough1 I always figured he would go back and end his journey there

[@isaiahm6005]

Cody isn’t a politician… he’s just a genuinely good guy.

[@TheAnomaly330]

The world needs more people like Cody

[@HawaiiFoodAndFun]

Thats like saying I knew he would buy a new car if he hit the lottery.

[@Crudes.]

Lol thought the same

[@knightshousegames]

It really was unbelievable when people started talking about the idea of Cody going back to WWE. He had done so much to literally make himself the "face of the revolution". Even though he wasn't in the world title picture, he still felt like one of the top guys in the company, and he'd talk to the audience like we were all there with him, we were together being part of something bigger. He was inspiring, like the Che Guevara of professional wrestling, leading La Revolucion. So the idea that he'd go back to WWE felt insane, it would have been like Luke going to the Dark Side in Empire Strikes Back. When all is said and done for Cody, I really hope he writes a memoir, and I really hope he tells all about what happened in AEW. Given how he speaks, I can only imagine how great of a book it would be.

[@dalogicalgamer]

if you watch BTE it was obvious cody was a scorned wwe guy doing everything to eventually be able to go back to wwe.

[@dalogicalgamer]

@@TJ-zs3vx i'm ok with your tribalism leading you to respond with that. But I wasnt using it in that term. I was using it in a way that cody's dreams were always wwe return from the minute he walked out the door (and totally understandable). But there are a lot of people today that WWE isnt the end all be all. For Cody, it was painfully obvious when watching BTE. Thats why he always had the villain feel on BTE and even AEW.

[@jeffreymoscardelli8428]

I think cody started to feel used by tony Khan he had put on ppv events with the best indie guys and NJPW guys before AEW tony was the money guy and Cody was the connections guy to sell them on AEW but tony wants people to think it's all his making

[@TonTon-jx1by]

Chris I really want CM Punk in your show as I am a huge fan of him..Will love to see him in this show..Can it this be possible one day??

[@AmazedBunion]

i kinda think he meant jericho as theother guy but idk

[@djscruffnasty3464]

Would assume it's Black...his wife is there.

[@btmz1753]

He said off the bat, makes me think that means at the start of the company so it’s definitely Jericho

[@djscruffnasty3464]

@btmz1753 that's a good one

[@BrockSamsonVB]

@@btmz1753can’t be him, he’s deeply engrained in AEW.

[@Mjamess2000]

​@@btmz1753just because Jericho was associated with Santana on AEW television doesn't mean it's him lol. Come on outta all the ex WWE guys in AEW u think it's Jericho? Over Keith Lee? Miro? Malakai Black? Buddy Matthews? The fact those guys aren't focal points on AEW TV is ridiculous

[@KK-pm7ud]

It's MJF

[@Tumorcoach]

I mean SRS didn’t report that at first he denied it and said it was a work. That he’ll be running ROH

[@Joecbg100]

Jericho has a hall of fame induction waiting for him. Alesteier Black is going back too

[@user-mu2mp8ll6c]

But Chris has another what 7-8 years to go on his 10 year deal

[@JMag_24]

Damn that’s real 😔

[@nick-vy3dm]

He knew.

[@TheRealMrAndrew]

It seemed like there was trouble in paradise almost from day one between Cody and the Elite. There was almost two different brands: The Elite and their crew and the Codyverse. Cody never teamed with the Elite, the Factory guys never did any stuff with them. It was bizarre. And I can name like five people going back to WWE without even having to look at the roster. Keith Lee, Buddy, Miro, Aliester, and Mercedes are all going back to WWE sometime in the next three years, watch.

[@mattpryokra2245]

I can see MJF moving to WWE especially where the product is going right now

[@abhijith_biju]

Hardy Brothers Jon Moxley Jericho Dustin Malakai Black Miro MJF

[@coreyjohnson5586]

Mane if MJF Go To WWE they wouldn't have nobody in AEW Mane all those other wrestling companies bro the only one came close to putting up with WWE was WCW and I don't think there would be any other company that can put WWE out WWE is too on point with everything the story telling and sticking to the script WWE don't need Vincent K Macmhon it like he is there any way with HHH... UNMOVEABALE MACHINE...

[@jamesray741]

I knew DrDisRespect was going to get banned on Twitch.

[@KK-pm7ud]

MJF is right behind him

[@haydenmatzkows4581]

When?

[@KK-pm7ud]

@@haydenmatzkows4581 Very soon

[@_BigTimer85]

​@@haydenmatzkows4581There's a pretty significant event in a couple of weeks

[@aaron-downey]

...

[@Rob_uno]

Hell nah keep Mjf in AEW. He would be boring in WWE

[@alessandroquarta3510]

i want reunited Santana & Ortiz in tag team and debut in wwe

[@alessandroquarta3510]

and reunite LAX 5150 in wwe with Santana & Ortiz and Konnan in WWE vs LWO vs Legado del Fantasma

[@internaut864]

It’s Y2J; Andrade obviously is back already. Aleister/Malakai will be back too but apparently his AEW deal runs until 2027. Buddy Matthews returns to feud with Dom over who gets Mami. MJF is obviously destined to end up there. Ricky Starks too. Wardlow seems like a a likely candidate too.

[@tonimaestre96]

Miro, Malakai, Andrade already did, ...

[@davidmenzies333]

With what is going on for wrestlemania I’d say Dustin or Mox

[@JCLopez209]

It's gotta be Miro or Malachi Black

[@777jimothy]

Cody and Brandi are the nicest people

[@randomnetizen7065]

Possibilities of coming back because of their partner/wife in WWE : Keith lee, malakai black, buddy matthew Coming back because of HHH: miro, jericho, samoa joe, hardy boyz

[@richborn6700]

The Hardyz would only be a HOF induction. No way they would get to wrestle anymore

[@gernblanston2652]

Miro is supposedly moving back to Bulgaria now that his divorce is finalized.

[@locustjohn3865]

I don't see a single name there that the WWE would be interested in.

[@SIMOLAMBOTZ]

Doing what in Bulgaria? 😅​@@gernblanston2652

[@geneanthony3421]

Clearly the other guy is Jericho. Involved in a group with him for years and always wanted to end his career there. Mox never wanted to go back and choose to leave. Both will probably come back now that Vince is gone.

[@aaron-downey]

Don't be daft

[@Trunks7500]

CHRIS JERICHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@JustinTafoya801]

Cody deserves good things.

[@TradeKingz73]

I've watched Pro Wrestling for 45 years. I loved Dusty & liked Cody when he debuted in WWE & knew he was special. I'm so glad I followed his journey to becoming WWE Champion & to fulfill the real story, not a manufactured storyline. WOW! Cody sitting there crying with Mike & consoling him, that's some real shit right there, that makes me respect Cody even more! 💯

[@hasanicoward4425]

I see many going back since their characters changed in AEW

[@boomersunite6922]

Golddust please!

[@salmanghaffar9330]

everyone is wrong jon moxley will go back he has achieved far enough outside wwe nd has a secure future in wwe with the shield angle and everything I bet it is Jon Moxley

[@Youtubepoiuytre]

My guesses are Samoa Joe (probably once he's done as champion), Miro, Dustin Rhodes, or MJF. Maybe Adam Cole tossed in there?

[@shanemallay347]

Black- Hardys -Keith Lee-miro-edge

[@mdwolf15]

Id like to see santana go to wwe and team with andrade

[@jmdubbs1354]

Miro is the extremely obvious choice, but I'm going with Adam Cole, especially with Trips running the show now.

[@elvis13577]

Matt Hardy is going home to WWE

[@danieljackson2496]

Cody was the heart and soul of AEW and when he left so did the heart of AEW

[@coreyjohnson5586]

Lol they had Sting😂... the man the myth the icon...I loved how they snted the Stinger off... with his sons and stuff... Sting was like 60 something ha? Dude was in go dam shape u kno.... sting was my favorite in WCW... In WWE it was the Rock....

[@LorGlocky]

Miro,malakai black,buddy Murphy,even jon moxley (just because look at the success Seth and Roman have had over his career),jericho all people I see going back. A person I see leaving aew to debut for wwe is obv MJF

[@neilsmith9066]

It’s Jericho for his Hof Goodbye Tour

[@graemeg-cp8yh]

Wee do not need Jericho, Miro, Mox etc There are about 3-5 guys they may take and all would be NXT Hook Hobbs Starla MJF Wardlow

[@tiagodamiao1652]

Many people say Jericho, but I think it's Adam Cole.

[@JibzCastor]

I have a feeling it's either Moxle or Y2J coming back.

[@joshuaortizojeda2327]

The other might be miro now that he divorcing cj

[@christophermcgeorge2192]

I think Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reily, and Roderick Strong will go back to WWE in the future and reform undisputed era. Maliki Black and Miro definitely when their AEW contracts expire.

[@marcrapaccuiolo2406]

Him saying that about Cody finishing his story makes me look forward to Mania even more

[@ketanpsolanki]

i want to see Mike Santana in WWE 😊

[@SnowDog0]

Go to the WWE and do what?

[@chasincash8594]

The second wrestler to go back to WWE is 100% Chris Jericho.

[@wvu9787]

Gotta be one of 3, Bryan, Miro or Black.

[@miket2215]

There's plenty who may go back. Wouldn't surprise me if Jericho returned. Miro left under a cloud and has his hands full it seems with personal dealings. Malakai has been criminally underutilised like so many others.

[@MapleMayhemGaming]

I think it’ll be Mox. AEW’s fall from grace is all on TK.

[@jasonkiernan6555]

It's him. Santana. That's why he is absolutely certain.

[@nathueil1]

Good call.

[@locustjohn3865]

That was my first thought. But he said "back" to WWE. Santana hasn't worked for WWE. So he wouldn't be going back.

[@TobiOG]

Its not Moxley and Jericho, Because punk returned to WWE and it was such a shock I will now truly never say never, but they are definitely the least likely. Swerve and Joe were doing pretty good so I doubt its them, Adam Cole is just having fun with his friends at this point so its not him. It could really only be Buddy, Malakai, or to me most likely Miro.

[@e.c.s5292]

Another person is Drew McIntyre similar journey.

[@obedvelez3728]

Miro for sure

[@SnowDog0]

Shawn Spears

[@Simon25-17]

Could be dustin, i guess he's been wanting to leave ever since cody left and god seeing him as dunstin rhodes really made me feel like wwe, specifically vince, dropped the ball on him hard. He could've been so much more than just goldust

[@francoisdemorcy5084]

He speaks well. Cody did leave. Wanted more

[@openmike2941]

It's aleister black

[@anti-socialcustoms8441]

I wish Moxley would go back to WWE....I think now that Triple H is head of creative, he'd be the best and biggest heel there.

[@hiteshkalhan4499]

I think he's talking about Jon moxley

[@MPPENT]

"He sat with me and cried with me"

[@mustafa9201]

Jericho.... for sure

[@bigdog3628]

aw, I hope its Mox, I miss uncle Dino

[@BlazingAce20]

He was saying CM Punk was the other guy lol.

[@ClandestineSnowman]

He's gotta be talking about Malakai, his wife is over there....although I guess he could be talking about Murphy too by that logic...

[@brown_recidivist]

Moxley or Jericho

[@Mjamess2000]

I don't think so, Moxley is signed till I believe 2027. And he loves being there and I doubt we ever see him back in WWE unless AEW goes under. He wouldn't be able to bleed and do the insane things he wants to do lol. Jericho is also extremely passionate about AEW and growing the stars that are there. I could see Jericho retiring in WWE though but not right now. If I'm a betting man, its Miro, he's been with the company since 2021 and hasnt even been on TV much unfortunately. At this point WWE used him a lot better than AEW has because at least he was featured on WWE TV weekly

[@Mr.VAGlNA]

AEW seriously doesn't need Jericho and Tony should release him and the hardy's. They are all useless.

[@user-mu2mp8ll6c]

Mix likes his trash wrestling....he's not going anywhere

[@cutiemarshall6502]

Jericho is still the best in ring performer they have though@@Mr.VAGlNA

[@joelpungwe3478]

Its Aleister black or john moxley

[@y3ee3e]

aleister black is going back to wwe for sure.

[@JohnW8223]

He's obviously talking about Jericho going back. There's no way he doesn't end his career there.

[@UKpowerunleashed]

He is talking about Chris Jericho guys.... the legends deal and the hall of fame for him is around the corner. It's the most obvious, 100% sure, on your face answer, like its sitting right there 😂😂😂

[@brodyjames4126]

I really want to see Santana in WWE as a nerd.

[@alo4912]

Like Santana having a nerd gimmick in wwe?

[@KaptainE3]

I’m thinking it’s Dustin Rhodes since Cody is in WWE and Dustin could appear at WrestleMania and Help Even the Odds against the Bloodline

[@rafaellima8996]

Coy got his street cred from AEW

[@trystinlindsay5674]

Cody leaving WWE is probably the real point momentum changed between the 2 companies. WWE gained a new top face and AEW lost the adult in the room.

[@ThatGuyJon95]

Anyone with Eyes and a brain for the business knew cody would come back. He was a Big fish in aew. Not gonna call it a small pond but the moves he was making behind the scenes? It was like he was building his resume to be like "look at what you guys are missing?"

[@oharold]

Honestly… They All Go Back. If You Think Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Sasha Banks Or Any Top Name Won’t Go Back, Your Mistaken.

[@StrengthOfSamson45]

Dang, this is how he got signed to NXT 😂

[@tipicofutbal]

I think Santana is talking about Moxley

[@ydin9]

Oh that would be a surprise with all the shit talk he's been talking

[@MinesPredictor-xc6ym]

I think it's Jericho, he always picking up chance on appearing on WWE TV like when they celebrating Cena carrer Jericho was there

[@TL2354]

Carrer?

[@user-ch9gm3mj1j]

Goldust fingers crossed 🤞

[@AI_Movie_Critic]

Dax and Cash

[@graemeg-cp8yh]

They would add nothing to WWE, woukd they draw? Would they make £?

[@TrenixYT]

The other guy has to be Moxley. He has been the most downloaded created superstar in the last 3 games. If he came back with the Moxley persona he could still do a lot in the WWE

[@Mjamess2000]

Idk why u guys are assuming its Mox or Jericho lmao. Those 2 ex WWE guys have been used as a focal point of the weekly shows and care deeply about AEW and the growth of it. Mox is signed till 2027 I believe. And Jericho gone on record multiple times saying he's more focused on building stars than accomplishing more things for himself. Outta any of the ex WWE guys that are there in AEW, Jericho and Mox makes the least sense. It'd be guys like Malakai, Miro, Keith Lee and Buddy Matthews

[@DarkPlatinm27]

It’s pretty obvious the second one is Jericho

[@CJ-mq5lp]

Moxley it's definitely MOX he's talking bout

[@wildnight8776]

Hope he's not talking about Moxley.

[@Bakutalk]

The other is clearly Big Cass

[@dorianthomas3284]

I wouldn't be surprised if Jericho leaves AEW only because the fanbase absolutely trashes him. As someone who supported the company from day one, it really upsets me how Jericho is treated. The guy is a legend and deserves way more respect than what he's getting. The dude could've been content with staying in wwe making sporadic appearances, or he could've come to AEW and mailed it in for easy paydays but he did neither. Since day one Jericho has been a leader in the locker room, and has helped develop talent. For all of the talk that Jericho has dragged down talent, I got a number of situations that show the opposite. Appreciate Jericho while he's there because i know wwe fans will give him plenty of love.

[@an0npr0xi1]

Jericho is the highest paid wrestler in AEW. No one even dislikes him.He writes his own gimmick. An His gimmick are just trash in AEW. He can change though.

[@MytrekFleetwood]

If its right off the bat it's Jericho.

[@itsMARTIKAI]

My question is, Will Cody return to AEW?

[@jobsforandrewevans87]

Im going to say samuel Joe is going back

[@agentholmes369]

Malakai or miro