Exposing The Backstage Politics Behind Cody Rhodes AEW Departure

[@brokenkayfabe]

Subscribe for part 2! or check out this video on the goat! kzbin.info/aero/PLAPhIbhD4zCS4dFnH-m7JX5GfKM2pGsSj

[@ShadowKing1982]

N?in

[@ZbeastVIP]

waiting for part 2

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@ZbeastVIP Almost done!

[@chriscollins3225]

Bro imma have to pull brakes on ya Your whole video is about you believing hypothetically that Cody Rhodes would have stopped CM PUNK brawl out from happening ? All other backstage alterations Lmfao what ?! Your basically implying that Cody Rhodes is a better leader / boss than Tony Kahn A leader does NOT abandon his men A leader does NOT leave to go play for the other team Sorry but Tony Kahn is the man who booked and promoted a ppv that had over 70k in attendance then the year after 50k Tony Kahn is the man who got the TV deals to be 185+ million a year Tony Kahn got wrestlers from Will Ospreay MJF Swerve Hangman Adam Copeland Mercedes Mone Bobby Lashley Adam Cole To sign and bet on AEW Cody Rhodes has done what exactly since winning the WWE championship ? His reign is completely forgettable He hasn't led a damn thing in WWE It's all Triple H , Nick Kahn , The Rock and hell even CM PUNK

[@brokenkayfabe]

Before Cody/no drama after Cody =Drama… To be a leader you need to have equal say…tony khan didnt want to as he was enjoying all the forbes interviews and praise. Tony thought his new toys were more valuable. Before Cody, WWE couldnt sell out wrestlemania..youre complaining about creative…Triple H is a bad booker.

[@HamStrokersEjacula69]

I think Cody actually wanted to run a business meanwhile the bucks and Kenny wanted to have fun. Cuz aew creatively went to shit after Cody left.

[@dkupke]

On top of that, he’d hit a ceiling. By promising never to book himself to be champion, he’d pretty much done all there was for him and by going back up WWE his star shone brighter than ever.

[@liceafilms]

@@dkupkelooking back, that booking seems to have been purposeful. Cody wanted a way out

[@dkupke]

@@liceafilms probably a point there too. I e been saying for a while, the ones to watch for are Jericho and Mercedes. They both obviously intend to end up back in WWE, when they make that move it will mean AEW is in trouble and they decided they got all they were going to.

[@editnosmirc4489]

Cody wanted the product to be more NWA influenced whereas Khan and The Bucks wanted it to be like PWG on a larger scale.

[@legitkahlua]

​@@dkupkeI see for Mercedes definitely, I'd love to see Jericho back honestly

[@uzi978]

It's funny how wrong these so called wrestling reporters and experts were about the impact Cody would have in WWE. How many clips did I see of someone saying he'll be a mid carder in 2 months? Or back to Stardust? Or that they would punish him for working against WWE when he left? He's not only Main Evented the past two WrestleManias, but won the title in the best story-driven angle ever. He's become the biggest star in the industry, I think leaving AEW worked out okay for him.

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

They were wrong but it was a valid concern Vince was known for getting hot about a talent then dropping the push a few weeks later. Or creating a tag team then breaking it then those talent who were misused was fired in Budget cut.

[@uzi978]

@@theoutsiderjess1869 Very true. Luckily Cody was appreciated by both regimes, his push started with Vince and has continued with Hunter. I can't think of a more deserving guy, he's worked his ass off and is still over with the crowd and sells a ton of merch.

[@davia4794]

Wasn't a guy who had to dress as a chicken because he left WWE?

[@aspectra]

Cody isn't the only person who seems happier working under Paul Levesque. CM Punk, Randy Orton, and Michael Cole also seem way happier than they've ever been working for WWE. I also think Cole should get inducted into the WWE HoF soon. If JR and King were inducted as active announcers, Cole more than deserves it, too.

[@tcuff1333]

Vince is the one who signed him and created the story of finishing the story ! Triple h was the last person in management he talked to because there was heat over the throne and the Wednesday night wars !

[@bangemmorebuckzz522]

Triple h respected it him n Cody had that talk​@@tcuff1333

[@longerhandles]

@@tcuff1333there was 100% no heat over the throne smashing, that was something HHH would’ve done.

[@tcuff1333]

@@longerhandles Cody believed it so it was real to him . he was probably more mad about aew winning the Wednesday night war which cost him his position . he made lots of insults towards aew on air which goes against vince's policy !

[@CreightonRabs]

It's almost as if VKM finally leaving - whether on his own terms or whether he was forced out - completely changed the game in Stanford. And I can't think of anyone who's benefited more than Michael Cole (especially when he's paired with Pat McAfee), because Cole sounds like he's having so much fun calling matches without having VKM in his ear for the entire broadcast.

[@aewlapsedfans1]

seeing michael cole backing him when he was in aew warms my heart

[@user-vj9qz3br6l]

Cody Rhodes helped save wrestling when he didn’t resign with WWE and went to the indies, and made really good money. The fans were desperate for a good wrestling product at the time, and willing to look outside WWE to alternative promotions. AEW would have never happened without Cody’s moves. And, because of AEW, WWE had to get better.

[@NXSProductions]

It's not, "resign," it's "re-sign." To resign means to step down or to step away. It's a common error but Jesus Christ it annoys the hell outta me.

[@theunhingedgamer3762]

@@NXSProductions this is the internet no one cares about grammar and people like you are just ignored in mass so honestly your literacy means nothing

[@Omnamahshivay8079]

Absolutely brother spot on

[@ucedeuce]

Cody Rhodes did not save wrestling🤣🤣🤣 Vince McMahon, The Bloodline, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman and The Usos did.

[@TheCoolgame24]

@@ucedeuce so it was 100 million people watching bloodline now

[@kyronbrown2092]

Its funny how wwe is almost now a wrestling company ran by actual wrestlers

[@arefixseries1948]

ok

[@arefixseries1948]

ok

[@KUriel]

ok

[@KUriel]

ok

[@jaredtorres4584]

Ok

[@CreightonRabs]

It undoubtedly helped Cody's cause that Triple H took over WWE Creative a few months after Wrestlemania 38 when VKM *finally* stepped aside. There's no question Cody's played a bit part in WWE's revival over the past couple of years, but it definitely helps having Competent Creative behind the scenes to make things work.

[@xkovacsx09]

Cody Rhodes leaving raised a red flag for what goes on behind the scenes at AEW, the CM Punk situation completely exposed it.

[@TheMegamyGamer]

you guys are inventing situations its insane lmaooo. Punks exposed himself, acted like a spoiled brat and did what he did in TNA and WWE when things don't go his way. Look up his past guys xD

[@bigdick3531]

@@TheMegamyGamer CLOWN

[@indrakanthshenoy3248]

​@@TheMegamyGamer looks like someone got proved wrong, considering how happy And Successful Cody Rhodes and C M Punk are now in WWE and how happy everyone else is in that company too.😂😂😂😂 Hope you realize your bubble just burst out.

[@Isacc..]

​@@TheMegamyGamer punk exposed exactly what was going on....in the post show press sitdow after all out last year wen he was eating all those twinkies...he was basicly saying openly infront of everyone that ther is no leadership, no organisation....and wrestlers are going as far as smaahing their heads through real car glass windows, drinking eCh others blood and crazy tgings like putting plastic bags over each others heads trying to suffocate one another....and no one is looking out for their saftey, ther is no system in place were they have to ask someone in authorty and a saftey advisor if a certian stunt is ok to do and safe before risking themselfs and theur opponent..and that the boss is ok taking resposibility as a company and place of work if something goes wrong....insted all we got is tony sitting ther all bedazzled saying yea but he should of took charge and handled things....and wen the media are told about his evp friends spreading romours and gosip in the media thats false or out of contex to try to ruin ppl.. .ruin ppl who make the company big money...again tony sits ther like a muppet saying he should of sorted it.....wat happens not long after....right next to tony jugle boy and punk start getting heated....but the muppet is so bizy being a air head pansy living in his deluded reality.. he just sits ther and dont even bother to tell them to stop or go home and see me tomorw...insted he just sitts ther...lets it get physical...then wen punk shouts to tony he is a clown tony thinks the world is crumbling around him an getts scared for his life......then you get talkent being anounced to apear by tony o live tv and the talent aint even been told themselfs....no transport organised, times, suggested ways of getting to shows....basicly everyine just does wat they want while tony gets hot and switches on his but plug and goes crazy that he is actyaly around real wreztlers....i mean look at wen jungle crap punched him and to ys dad came out....wtf was all that about.....as nothing even came of all that .....just som dub stuf put together by a fool with but plugs buzzing away in his ass

[@CoryD_85]

​@@TheMegamyGamerawe you butthurt cause AEW sux without Punk. 🖕

[@thehoshangkoul]

Cody Rhodes leaving aew is forever etched in history. It was shocking It created a seismic shift whose effects are still felt to this date

[@DavidJ-v5n]

it felt like a very big deal to me , since he was the founding father (fk the elite) of AEW, on top of that , he returned back to wwe with the kingdom theme , it felt so surreal after watching him use that for 6 years in roh and indies befre returning to wwe in 2022.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Cody leaving will be a huge part of the _"Debut and Fall of AEW"_ documentary, once they're bought up by WWE.

[@Bork19]

I’m paraphrasing because I don’t want rewind but I loved Cody’s quote of “I wanted to do old school crocket stuff and the bucks wanted to do new school stuff and that that’s what made it great.”

[@icards7986]

JD and Wrestle Talk aged like milk.

[@Diverse0725]

Wrestletalk is so annoying to listen to. It's like the Reddit of KZbin.

[@LightingEvolve-bt1cz]

Everything JD does ages like milk. He absolutely sucks. He’s a tiny little hobbit who lives in his parents basement and thinks he knows everything about wrestling and has some kind of insider info because he calls some matches for some little independent show. The guy is a fucking idiot and always has been and every time he’s proven wrong. He tries to manipulate his audience to believing he said something completely different fucking retard.

[@kamfisher1714]

Like always.

[@ritchierich2793]

I have learned to hate wrestle talk now...

[@Swaytekk]

Not for nothing but JD said what everyone was thinking. Vince was notorious for burying talent that have crossed him, got over on their own, or got over in other wrestling companies. It crossed every wrestling fans mind if he was going to get buried or not

[@ryandavis4448]

The statement "WWE have diehard fans that will love him if he jumps ship" is very true. And ultimately he knew that, and that's why he did it. And it worked.

[@brokenkayfabe]

He deff did

[@SaulAguilar.]

He was the most professional.

[@marksugimoto9708]

Cody and then Punk going back to WWE is 2 of the biggest reasons why WWE is crushing AEW now.

[@vampirascoffin870]

true but only time would tell

[@mikefrost1312]

Once Mox & claudio go back, AEW will be pretty much done

[@MarkHerediaMusic]

I don’t think Mox would go back but you never know

[@azizrampage]

@@MarkHerediaMusic Punk went back so never say never, if MJF's stock doesn't rise by the time his next contract ends I'd say he'll wanna go WWE just to do the rubber match with Punk

[@MarkHerediaMusic]

@@azizrampage true! Plus, WWE is in a better place tbh

[@billyxkid5062]

I love how everyone said it would be a bad idea if he goes back to WWE look at where he is now he’s in a much better place. I love when“journalists “ think there right then they turn out to be wrong I do think Cody really did want to run a wrestling company like his dad. But The people he was running it with didn’t take it seriously like he did

[@InKedEi8hT]

Tony Kahn is to AEW what Jerry Jones is to the Dallas Cowboys-the guy who writes the checks that wants so badly to be seen as one of the boys and “a___(wrestling/football)__ guy” when they clearly aren’t, that they end up being a detriment to their organization due to being overly involved and wanting the fans to give them as much (if not more) credit compared to the actual talent.

[@BillionaireBr0]

forgot about cody quitting twitter and giving his account to aew community in december.

[@evilswissy]

why do you care.. doesn't effect your sheeple life at all. the events and matters that still effect your life, you just blow off and pretend some god is going to come back and save you

[@Omaree99]

@@evilswissyL raigebait 😭

[@mariopadilla1445]

@@evilswissy I literally tell people this. People get caught up in drama that that has no impact on anyones lives outside of those actually involved. Yet they ignore things that are actually happening to them.

[@ltdanslostlegs]

Why y’all here to attack dude for being interested. Get a life

[@detroitkobe1903]

@@ltdanslostlegs they’re watching behind the scenes videos to get more info themselves I hate the internet 😂

[@Saltoftheearth008]

I always have this theory that The Young Bucks (who I once were fans of) are the ones stirring the pot backstage by reporting rumors to Meltzer and Meltzer reports it as fact, and it’s based out of professional jealousy. Cody was the first victim, then it was Punk, then their friends haven’t really been on television (Danhausen, Ricky Starks) could they also be the one behind the narrative that MJF yelled at Brit Baker and punched a wall? I mean no one watches AEW for them, but MJF clearly the best wrestler in that company from a character standpoint. E-V-Petty isn’t just a gimmick.

[@brokenkayfabe]

I was a fan of the bucks but watching them become millionaire victims of cm punk that refused to do business was such a bummer.

[@sylvesterstanton7488]

I also believe that cause them 2 would never be big stars in WWE and they wanted to get at anyone they knew could be it was big Stars in WWE. They didn't think of Jericho as a threat cause he's a has been. Look at anyone who's getting any kinda of buzz in AEW and people start talking about them possibly going to WWE they start getting the worse booking and Ultimately get any buzz killed.

[@bb-gc2tx]

@@sylvesterstanton7488 all those guys the bucks adam page they would be nothing in wwe. mjf is smartest out of all of them he knows wwe is loaded right now with top aging stars so hes taking that money marks money now and in 3 years he will go to wwe as still a very young man

[@ThePrynceemo]

​@@bb-gc2tx You're a mark😂😂😂

[@ThePrynceemo]

If you watched cornette talking about it at the time it sounded like Brandi was the problem but sure blame the Bucks

[@thishandle_isnotavailable]

I'm going to tell you something that Cody has never said publicly. John Laurinitus was the one responsible for bringing Cody back to WWE. Tony Khan was avoiding Cody for WEEKS about his contract talks, and eventually Cody caught Tony in a hallway at Dynamite, in front of EVERYONE, and when TK wouldn't give him a definite answer about his contract ,and asked him not to do this publicly, he called Laurinitus, right there and then, and told John to "Make it Happen"

[@editnosmirc4489]

Was it Laurinitus or Prichard? From what I've read and seen it was the latter

[@brokenkayfabe]

Cody says it in the video lol

[@editnosmirc4489]

@@brokenkayfabe I'm bad about looking at the comment section and replying before I watch videos first lol

[@thishandle_isnotavailable]

@@editnosmirc4489 100% John Laurinitus. Prichard had nothing to do with Talent Relations at the time, but they seem to be going with the Bruce narrative since John's Exile from the Company

[@nikodeherrera8274]

I can't really blame him either. If your boss isn't really being clear about your position in a company or your job when you need a clear and definitive answer, after a while you need a employer that's a bit more reliable and where you're feeling more happy.

[@Kcutthth]

This should be always remembered when these “experts” try to pass off opinions as facts! They’ve been doing it for decades and only recently has it been so apparent that many if not most are full of nonsense.

[@jonwon2943]

When Cody Rhodes went back to WWE was the same moment AEW started really going down in quality

[@blazedbeye3412]

Did you not see Cody's angle with Anthony Ogogo? That was awful

[@brokenkayfabe]

not every angle is going to be a homerun but overall we can agree that AEW has not been the same since Cody left.

[@alonemax2912]

I don't think it's about Cody, but it's about CM Punk's injury in May 2022, then Brawl Out, it's all messed up the booking real bad.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@alonemax2912 tony khan ran out of big announcements

[@fromolwyoming]

They still had Sting, but since Sting retired, AEW has PLUMMETED in ratings.

[@CMNightmare]

dude...how did you find that interview with cody talking about tony khan family part? never seen it.

[@brokenkayfabe]

i watched every cody rhodes interview lol

[@akhilnarayan5392]

​@@brokenkayfabeappreciate your hard work...man. subbed.

[@DailyNihilism]

@@akhilnarayan5392yeah subbed

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

​@@brokenkayfabe like damn you are a goat

[@LightninPanda69]

Also, Jericho has done so much damage to AEW long-term it's ridiculous. Which is also weird as fuck, because that very first title run was amazing and if he HAD JUST STOPPED THERE, we'd be having a completely different conversation right now.

[@hypnoticvgk]

As someone who witness this all happen during 2017 - 2019 I can say that this hits on all marks. Great editing also! Can't wait for pt. 2

[@brokenkayfabe]

thank you! out now

[@1KQ_]

Lmao its crazy how badly those takes aged at the start of the video when news came out he left aew

[@johnstrika9170]

It's just more proof that people need to stop listening to and supporting these clowns, especially "wrestling journalists" like Sean Ross Simp, Meltzer, Alvarez etc

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@johnstrika9170Alverez did call it tho. Gotta give him his props.

[@Nas-f3q]

I wouldn’t say age badly I mean, look at his title run and how Roman reigns is being cheered more than. It’s a pattern if you want to be technical. That’s why I get why people are predicting heel for Cody. I look at it like the pattern still continues. I predict the rock beats Cody Rhodes for the WWE championship or Roman reigns. And Cody slowly leans into heel not right away but kind of like Austin from late 2000

[@1KQ_]

@Nas-f3q the fact roman reigns is getting cheered more is irrelevant, all the newsletter marks were claiming cody was going back to the midcard and they were wrong.

[@Nas-f3q]

@@1KQ_ I don’t think he’s going back to mid card . I can’t see that. He still gonna be in the main event scene, but I think that Roman reigns is just a better titleholder than Cody Rhodes, but I’m willing to give him a chance still even if it’s been a few months. He’s doing good in terms of like how shows and kids still like him so I mean he’s not doing too bad. Definitely bringing something.

[@djgaben6187]

Upon hearing his return at WrestleMania had relit a fire in his love for wrestling really opened my eyes. Those last few months in AEW must’ve really gotten to him to the point he didn’t feel like he wanted to wrestle anymore. It kinda shows in hindsight just how exhausted Cody looked. His last promo really sits in this eerie limbo of emotions, it’s weird. That return showed that he HAD (earned) that chance to be top guy. He’s undeniably the biggest star FROM AEW to jump to WWE.

[@grizbearington7061]

This is such an interesting video because it felt like the intro the entire video but kept up that rapidity and narrative the entire way through. Good stuff, man!

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@grizbearington7061 thank you! It took over a month. Part two coming out this week!

[@billblaski9523]

Lol i know exactly what u mean

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Was waiting for it to slow down and get to some meat but it was all quick clips and short quotes.

[@djgaben6187]

It’s so strange, you looks at the momentum Cody had. He really took a company from an idea to the hottest competition since WCW, and at their first peak of popularity he takes a chance on himself again, then kept going up on that momentum

[@Aries73]

You cannot tell me the Cucamonga Kids didn't stab Cody in the back. The O'Jays' hit told the story: "They're smilin' in your face, all the time they wanna take your place, the backstabbers..."

[@HartOFHarts]

Oh my god you’re a Jim Cornette fan, you fs don’t get laid

[@indrakanthshenoy3248]

💯💯💯💯

[@chrissalem3747]

"shad Khan: concerned parent" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 that just fucking killed me.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@chrissalem3747 I had to use that clip multiple times. ESPN is hilarious for doing that.

[@arenegadeboss]

You're so right about the momentum being taken away. A lot of the fan hate for Cody before he left is overblown now. Yes he was booed, but he was still beloved closing out the shows, still had the longest autograph line, still got some of the biggest reactions. Everyone was unhappy with him creatively. Him beating all the newcomers was bad. I wonder if he would have had a contract the booking would have been more coherent.

[@brokenkayfabe]

All tony had to do was give cody what he asked for Instead kf letting him be a free agent. He shouldnt of signed Keith Lee, Rusev. malakai black, brody king and like 10 other guys and gave the money to Cody. Also, He didnt need to become a free agent. Remeber he also had options that Tony Khan COULD HAVE JUST PICKED UP, like he did with the Bucks.

[@arenegadeboss]

@@brokenkayfabe Yea at the end of the day Tony should have just forced it and kept trying for another year to fix it lol. I really really really hope it wasn't Tony being for it but Cody being against all the WWE signings and that was one of the differences that couldn't be overcome. Looking back at that time, who has really really worked out? Danielson? Cole has been decent overall but that's carried by the Max program. Black has had moments but the group is never healthy. Andrade gone. Was Swerve around then? He doesn't seem like the others for some reason. Just a string of misses.

[@joeyskywalker1322]

@@brokenkayfabeIt is kinda weird TK didn’t pick up the one year option with Cody he did so for The Bucks Jericho and Moxley but i feel at this time TK didn’t care to lose Cody because he had Punk and Danielson

[@blazedbeye3412]

@brokenkayfabe no, that Anthony Ogogo story was horrible. Him taking himself out of the title picture was not very bright either and both were Cody's idea. Or that pointless feud with Sammy G? Why keep doing that with one guy, at the time, when you could pay however many others the same as one guy and try to do better? If Cody would've been willing to turn heel then, it could've been a different story. Best thing he did in AEW was getting squashed by the late Mr. Brodie Lee. Hindsight is always 20/20 though

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@blazedbeye3412 he had feuds with Andrede and Malaki black at that time as well. He gave Malakai what is still his only buzzworthy feud. He was very selfless in AEW and its a shame some people dont appreciate that. He tried to help Sammy after Jericho ruined him and look what happened after he left? Sammy hit some real bad times.

[@TheMegamyGamer]

Cody rhodes screwed Cody rhodes. Simple as that: -Book himself out of the title picture (on paper its understandable but in the long run weeeeeeeeell it was not such a good idea was it. Commendable but foolish in the end) -Did horrible feuds /Segment at the end of his run (Ogogo, Brandi etc) -Refused to turn heel when it was needed (yes the meta heel etc, but at the end he never did so) He was not selfish i will give him that, getting over Sammy before going was great, however we knew for a long time that he wanted to be WWE golden boy (just watch his inside the ropes interviews) WWE released so much people during 2020/2022 that there roster was empty without any new fresh star or credible babyface and this where Cody saw the opportunity. AEW roster was stacked with less opportunity possible and so he did what was best for his career. He jumped ship and joigned WWE. The rest is history. But. Don't try to re writte history. Cody himself say it "if i have one thing to say to my younger self is, comit all the error you want.' because he knew he wouldn't be there without fucking up. And fucking up he did for the better in the end.! The revisionism in this comment sections is crazy. People pretending that they loved Cody at the end of his AEW run. What they loved was that he came back to WWE. xD

[@brokenkayfabe]

7:31

[@Dail-r6o]

Keep crying

[@jamquick5298]

I was a Cody fan since he was stardust and when he left WWE I felt bad and didn't want him to leave but thank God he did because himself and wrestling in general are better for it.

[@heelturnsface]

Man wrestling podcasters can be the lamest. 3:23 there’s this geek holding a championship over his shoulder then the geek before that’s yelling at the top of his lungs about a predetermined sport

[@ii9714]

It is pathetic

[@StephenNatoli-l6j]

It's one of the many issues with the aew fanbase, they are over invested idiots who care more about flips than stories, which is perfectly fine. The problem is the way they deal with it and act publicly

[@richborn6700]

A $300-400 replica championship they bought with Patreon money no less. Getting their neck beard audience to finance their hobbies

[@HueyFreeman-l7m]

​@@richborn6700 they are some of the most pathetic dudes walking the earth. Them and their fans.

[@artbanks27]

Those wrestling fans believe they know how wrestling as a business works but they don't. Seting egos aside makes money you are supposed to build bridges not burn them.

[@GiFTheGreat]

So fans were against TK assuming more power in the company yet were booing Cody and his creative efforts towards the end of his run. I think Cody felt a way about TK having more control, but Idk if that translated over to any significant fan sentiment at the time. In hindsight with the decline in ratings, sure we can point fingers at TK, but I think while AEW was taking hits, WWE was rejuvinated with the eventual ousting of Vince McMahon and Triple H's creative vision for the company finally taking hold. That part can't be understated.

[@brokenkayfabe]

THOSE THINGS HELPED BUT CODY COMING CHANGED EVERYTHING,.

[@YerDad632]

It’s amazing to me how many of these wrestling pundits can’t spare the half a second to properly pronounce WWE.

[@naheemquattlebaum2267]

Okay. Found my new favorite wrestling channel.

[@brokenkayfabe]

welcome!!

[@that.canadian.vaper.guyTCVG]

Ive been saying since Cody left that Cody was the reason why AEW was great when it started. The 4 Pillars? Darby, Cody was behind his booking and made him a star. MJF, Cody noticed him after the initial All In and kept him at his side and helped his booking. Sammy Guevara, he reminded me of a young WCW Eddie Guerrero and Cody was the one who booked him and raised his flag, until Jericho suddenly noticed him after the work Cody put in and then claimed the success of Sammy. The only one of the 4 Pillars that wasn't a Cody guy was Jungle Boy, who was under the wing of the Young Bucks.. FUNNY how Jungle Boy is the only one that doesn't feel like a star, huh? Even Sammy, if Sammy was under Cody's wing, he'd be like Darby or MJF, but Chris Jericho just wants to thrive off of Sammy's popularity. But Jungle Boy, even now as the scapegoat, he just feels like a flop and the energy drops when The Bucks or Jungle Boy pop up on screen, and ratings drop. During the first year and a half, ALL of the EVPs were booking, as per Dave Meltzer. And you can tell, Cody booked segments, promos and matches felt like modern day NWA, Mid South, Championship Wrestling from Florida and good old fashion wrasslin'. It was structured, professional and entertaining because Cody had you emotionally invested. Then Kenny's booking segments felt like amateur Dragon Gate, New Japan, and All Japan styled segments with some Joshi thrown in. It wasn't bad, but it felt sloppy and unprofessional. Then The Bucks segments would happen and the shows felt like unhinged PWG shows with a budget. It was just a whiplash, going from good, structured Wrestling to unhinged backyard Wrestling and transitioned into the New Japan styled Wrestling. Then the shows started falling apart during AEWs 2nd year, and he took away the booking powers of the EVPs, leaving them EVPs in name only. EXCEPT for Cody Rhodes, who was still let into the booking meetings and creative scheduling, as per Dave Meltzer. So Cody was still involved with AEWs creative? I wonder why? Because even Tony could see that Cody was the best decision out of the EVPs to actually run the show. But Cody eventually went through what CM Punk went through. Sound familiar? The Bucks didn't like that Cody had more power than them, so we starting hearing rumors that there were problems with The Elite and Cody was separating himself from The Bucks and Kenny. Funny how there's always rumors going around with The Bucks that result in whomever they dislike leaving. It's no secret, the Young Bucks basically BULLY talent and run the West coast independent Wrestling scene. Wrestlers like EC3 and others have been coming out for so long that if The Bucks didn't like you, they and their friends would talk shit about you to other promoters so you wouldn't get booked. That's their MO, they spread rumors so they can capitalize on that. But at the same time, I fully believe that Cody planned to return to WWE regardless. I believe he planned with Tony or the Elite that he would help them get AEW founded with sturdy foundations, then once he proved he was a star, he would leave for WWE. Cody obviously has influence over his booking in WWE, and every storyline is similar to his runs in AEW. But done more professionally and structured. And what did he say was his one no no in AEW when speaking with Chris Van Vliet? The mentioning of his father, Dusty Rhodes. He didn't want ANYONE in AEW mentioning his father and if they did, he would cut off the angle or story immediately. Bring in MJF, once MJF turned on Cody and they started their fued, MJF mentioned Dusty during one of his promos, Cody looked absolutely PISSED and didn't mention the jab. And suddenly Dusty was never mentioned again during their fued. But what was Cody's focal point in WWE? Literally the FIRST promo back? "I want to win the championship my father was screwed out of." Cody always said he wanted to prove to WWE and Vince that he was a star, and he did exactly that. He has the blonde hair and blue eyes like Hogan, he speaks appropriately and clear while carrying himself in an executive manner with the suits and nice watch. If he stayed in AEW, I think he wouldn't mind it, but I firmly believe that returning to WWE was always the plan.

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

What I love about Mjf even as a heel in interviews if Cody was brought up he would still find a way to give him his flowers while staying in character. That and he was also in Gts wrestling. Its great to see him succeed as a big star.

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

The problem with year one Aew was that wrestlers wrestled when they want so their skills werent sharp leading to botches as well

[@JacksonWalter735]

Cody is the reason I got into wrestling. His return at Wrestlemania was on KZbin's popular or trending page and I randomly clicked it. Haven't looked back since and Cody's my favorite wrestler.

[@WrestleTrivia1]

You kept a guy with ADD sitting still for over 30 minutes...great content! 🔥🔥🔥

[@brokenkayfabe]

Thank you. Ive gotten insulted a lot so I really appreciate it.

[@troybannish2656]

Like it or Not, Like Cody Rhodes or Not, He has changed the Wrestling landscape not Once, but Twice!

[@PLPfooly1346]

loved the random Matt Cardona transition 😂😂

[@brokenkayfabe]

:) the complete matt cardona

[@wweandbandrules]

@@brokenkayfabeI didn’t realise that was Matt Cardona 😂😂😂

[@editnosmirc4489]

Cardona is another guy who should be back in WWE but as Matt Cardona not Zack Ryder.

[@EmoEmu]

Mathilda Cordona?

[@PLPfooly1346]

@@EmoEmu Mid Cardowner according to Moose

[@USVAGuy]

If people truly understood what happened between Cody, the Elite, and NJPW, everything would make sense. The importance of New Japan in the landscape of pro wrestling has changed the industry.

[@breakdown461]

That JD fellow from NY. 😅😅😅 So much conviction on his voice. Makes it even funnier when it's the drizzles 90% of the times.

[@billfisher304]

I really hope that Cody gets to see this… this is really well done and deserves to be appreciated by everyone who loves wrestling. I love both companies and this is super unbiased and very good no doubt about it.

[@LOKDOWNKING]

Hahahaha I love how JD FROM NY comes off as the biggest prick with his snippets hahahahaha

[@Y2Kilo]

It’s because he is

[@TheMegamyGamer]

Its JD bro yap for any potential click. He loved AEW early and them joigned the AEW hate wagon to make more views and it fail x'))))

[@26bigfella]

I love how Bryan Alvarez and 🤡 are sarcastically saying the roster is dead and everyone let go and went to AEW failed except Swerve 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JohnBLZ]

Danielson, Moxley, Malakai Black... They all had an amazing run. You don't go to another promotion to get handed a better treatment. Gotta earn it.

[@JeremiahEcks777]

Hard to disagree with this. I stopped watching AEW regularly around the time Cody seemed to get disenfranchised. Now I don't watch at all. And it wasn't because of Cody on screen. But clearly in retrospect maybe Cody influenced my watching habits more than I thought!

[@CavemanBatman]

It’s insane how money and “fame” went to the Young Bucks head

[@darkviolet]

Cody will always be one of my favorites. I'm glad he's doing well

[@TravelatorH8r]

Thank you I'm glad you made this video sticking up for Kodi

[@makk3232]

Bro! Absolute INCREDIBLE job!!! Wow. You outdid many top documentary makers (edit).

[@brokenkayfabe]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! Stay tuned for the next part and check out my other Cody documentary!

[@therealCamoron]

Man, I forgot how big of a deal AEW was when it launched, and how many "wrestling journalists" viewed it as a serious threat to WWE. And look now at how quickly it's become a complete joke. Last week NXT drew more viewers than all three AEW shows combined.

[@matthewfrohbieter1803]

Funny how wrong all the mark podcasters were about everything.

[@peterjones2834]

AEW biggest mistake was lettIng Cody leave and join WWE.

[@brokenkayfabe]

agreed.

[@DonMakihele]

Letting Tony khan take the control of the company was the biggest mistake. He took the reins to early when he didn’t know how the wrestling business really works. He’s just a fan at first. Listening to Jericho was also a mistake, where he is with the learning tree just shows how he didn’t know what he was talking about exactly.

[@jamestoney6599]

(Gets new TV network deal.) Sure Jan...

[@EliasRoy]

@@jamestoney6599 What’s the point when you haven’t hit 1 million since Feb 2023 😂😂😂

[@gregweisal5542]

CM punk. CM punk

[@TheKeven28900]

God all these wrestle tubers are what's wrong with the current wrestling fan base. Too obsessed with how the sausage is made that they can't just enjoy what's being presented to them.

[@devinconsla2540]

Sausage?

[@assassinsknight]

It’s not really complicated what happened. They mistreated him, so he left. Cody created AEW and was proud of the fact that he provided wrestlers the opportunity to consider their options and make more money for both organizations. So he left quietly. The EVPs thought it was going to be just as easy to do this to Punk. And Phil gave their brand a death blow it will never truly recover from.

[@brokenkayfabe]

love the kane avatar

[@revelationsthreesixteen1108]

BS...okada osprey and the talents roaming them halls are still living strong today!...lol plunks death blow garbage!

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

Tony also held punk prisoner so he did what he does best raise hell and expose the truth

[@darkknights_22nd35]

@@revelationsthreesixteen1108other then being a troll their is no reason for you to be so extra. And hey not say AEW is bad or anything but he is right Ever since punk and brawl out people have really started to turn on AEW. That’s just a fact go and look at views and ratings not saying they are done for but even all the draw in and star power they still haven’t got the views back

[@BrayzenBull]

01:30 No... Part of the deal was that he would win the belt within 2 years of his return.

[@brokenkayfabe]

Cody said what he said. Are you saying he is lying?

[@bradybeijes3232]

But he didn't? He won the belt after 3 years.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@bradybeijes3232 even it that was true..how many wrestlers said vince mcmahon guaranteed this or that when I signed a contract.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@bradybeijes3232 Imagine cody suing wwe for not letting him win the championship lol.

[@StephenNatoli-l6j]

No it wasn't, way to make shit up with no evidence to back it up

[@TheHighValueNurseCJKyles]

Cody's plan was to ALWAYS go back to WWE

[@TheMegamyGamer]

yep. Listen to his interviews

[@jeremyyeomans3416]

Great work kid

[@brokenkayfabe]

thanks!

[@jeremyyeomans3416]

@@brokenkayfabe keep it up you earn my subscribe with the research you did

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@jeremyyeomans3416 thank you! I have one coming out the next few days that covers cody leaving wwe and the indys very similar to this.

[@jeremyyeomans3416]

@@brokenkayfabe can’t wait I followed Cody out the door

[@JohnCheryl-xz6tt]

this is dope bro!!! new subb

[@melvinbentley1310]

So basically the entire Internet wrestling community are idiots still. Cody is a legit star and all these dorks got it wrong again

[@ysetiadji]

This video reminds everyone how toxic JDfromNY was back then against WWE, and how he's suddenly choose to swallow all his spit and play on the side he shat for several years.

[@LightninPanda69]

2:15 Somehow, I missed all this discourse while it was happening, and it's hilarious with the benefit of hindsight. The second Cody walked out against Seth I assumed he'd be the guy who beat Roman for the belt, it's crazy that anyone who makes a living off wrestling commentary didn't see that.

[@brokenkayfabe]

And all the fans were convinced it was a work. Like insulting people for thinking it was real. Wild times.

[@SagaTheGemini-tg6fz]

I think that's bc Vince was the boss back then. Even I thought they were going to make Cody a Jobber, and I still think that if Vince was still the boss, he wouldn't have made Cody the champ

[@amethystpisces7284]

I love Cody, but one thing about it he will never be bigger than Roman Reigns. Roman booking wrestlers on Smackdown. That's rare.

[@davidcapano9996]

The bucks got what they wanted, they turned AEW into PWG, now we have PWG 2.0

[@StephenNatoli-l6j]

A shittier more poorly booked version of pwg

[@bevanmorgan3946]

God, this was heartbreaking. I’m an unapologetic AEW diehard, but I’m not here for the tribal ‘crap on Cody and WWE’ stuff. AEW gave WWE the rope to hang AEW with when this happened. His departure changed everything for the worst. It’s only just starting to feel like AEW has spiritually healed after years of chaos and rudderless bullshit. Unfortunately, for AEW, during those painful years, Vince got booted from WWE and Cody took them to the next level. Perhaps even more significantly, an enormous cottage industry of AEW hate has been built and is thriving from toxic tribalism. We can’t forget that there was one previously aimed at WWE - but not to the same level as this one aimed at AEW. Now we have WWE fans acting like trolls, and AEW fans being so hyper defensive, that nobody can criticise anything without being called a ‘Vincel.’ It’s a genuine plague on this fandom. AEW has been trying to frame themselves as the promotion of wrestling love all year, and it has been hard to take seriously at times. However, Ospreay, Swerve, Copeland, and Danielson have been absolute godsends in 2024. Their genuine enthusiasm, talent, and lack of ego have given AEW new life and helped usher in a new era of unity and purpose. So, that’s something to celebrate. Also, while the company might have lost ground in the USA, it is growing internationally, and has an awesome new deal with WB. But in terms of perception, goodwill, and American popularity, I think it’s very, very, very, very unlikely AEW will ever ascend to the heights they reached under Cody. It’s ridiculous he was ever put in a position where they could let him go back to WWE. He may have been the biggest part of AEW’s heart, and WWE are lucky to have him. I am so sad he’s gone from AEW, and I hope he returns one day. But I’m also happy for Cody. Ultimately, he is still the guy that helped bring about this wrestling revolution, and he will always have big love from me for that.

[@gregweisal5542]

I don't get y so many ppl around the internet want Cody to turn heel. Children in other countries love him. He's super baby face should never turn.

[@brokenkayfabe]

Hes not gonna

[@hawk494edward]

If Cody Rhodes does turn Heel in WWE, I want him to go back to the dark hair.​@@brokenkayfabe

[@warriorzoul13]

Love the collection and analysis, but, FYI every time your captions say Bruce Pritchard’s name you spell it wrong “pritcharTT”

[@brokenkayfabe]

oops my bad...

[@deeang349]

good video. definitely a cody glazer though. Would love to hear this from other people's perspective and what cody should actually get credit for. Because no mention on him jumping on the young buck/omega gravy train in NJPW & ROH. no mention of him being the ring leader of antagonizing WWE. etc. Thats why the Bucks said he came after...because he did come after...

[@brokenkayfabe]

i did include footage of him saying he is going to cut vinces head...attacking wwe fanbase for starting rumors...i am a cody glazer for sure tho. if you look today at whos success has continued and who's careers have been ice cold you could draw some real conclusions...bucks sabotaged their own careers. Would The Bucks have put on ALL In w/o Cody? i doubt it.

[@deeang349]

@@brokenkayfabe but thats speculation. Cody career is where its at because of the WWE machine. AEW is still reeling from giving all the power to CM Punk who change the "mission" as cody would say it. He got rid of what people loved about AEW. You're kinda conflating situations to make your point. All your evidence for what happened backstage is just Cody's POV. You need soundbites from others to paint an accurate picture. About All-in...it was all the bucks connections that put it together. Cody was still looked at as a hanger on at that time...thats why he was the villain in the BTE videos. They even had angles of this in NJPW & ROH where cody was basically with them for his own reasons...and as soon as he saw major talent coming to AEW and he wouldnt be the face, he was gone.

[@brokenkayfabe]

well no one has ever said what you have claimed. if yes please show and ill do an updated vid.

[@deeang349]

@@brokenkayfabe i just told you where its at. who you think cody is talking about changing the mission? and i referenced the BTE youtube series. Check it out when you get a chance.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@deeang349 ive watched the show. Never seen anyone claim the bucks were responsible for cody being popular or they were more over. Who said that?

[@RDotMFG]

The start of the video shows why you don’t listen to all of these wrestling KZbinrs/Podcasters.

[@mr.lamont1420]

Who gives a buck about the young bucks. Temu Hardy Boyz wannabes.

[@mrmoviemanic1]

Editing is both really good in places, and terrible in others.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@mrmoviemanic1 trying my best! Doing it all myself and no training.

[@BillionaireBr0]

great work!

[@believein1]

I thought when he came back, they were gonna sacrifice him like the “cheapos” the superstars used to wrestle on Saturday morning WWF.

[@SANDERZ_PLAYZ]

Cody and punk coming back to wwe took wwe to new heights...now look at aew ratings and wwe ratings side by side and those who doubted that wwe only brought cody to embarrass him again...well that's not the case you know wwe brought cody because they watched his growth in the indies and they took it and made cody the new face of wwe after cena left his full time wrestling...they already had the biggest villain roman reigns but they need the biggest hero and they chose cody because that's what "BEST FOR BUSINESS!" Now look at cody he is the wwe champion!🙏❤ I love WWE more than anything and I am so glad that papa H is mending the mistakes made in the past!❤

[@brokenkayfabe]

Remember there were execs in wwe that wanted him to fail. Cody said so himself. Triple H wasnt in the conversations to bring him back that was Nick Khan and Vince Mcmahon. Just a fyi.

[@SANDERZ_PLAYZ]

@@brokenkayfabe yeah but wm39 was the year for cody to win the wwe title but vince wanted to give roman another whole year...but it was triple h who then wanted him to win the wwe title this year which led to two of such iconic matches on both the nights!

[@moonlightxlines]

Holy cult lmao

[@joeyskywalker1322]

@@SANDERZ_PLAYZ Cody losing at WM39 was not a Vince decision it was actually Roman and Paul Heyman that convinced Vince and Triple H that Cody should lose and in a way they were right because it made Cody winning at 40 that much better

[@aaronlantrip6400]

Not to mention TNA and NXT collabing

[@IGORBROON]

Damn I forgot how many ‘aged like milk’ takes the IWC scene had on Cody returning to WWE.

[@gregoryryan44]

Thing with the spout monkey stuff is ince you've seen. The spot. It becomes less exciting. Will osprey and Kenny being exceptions, they still wow me but much prefer long term stories (Kenny does that well too, to be fair) but definitely over flippy spots and suicide dives all over the place

[@christiananderson9788]

100% agree, I’m a corny guy and like real wrestling but Kenny omega has got to be one of those guilty pleasures to watch. He started this whole spot monkey shit but he does it the best. Hoping he comes back healthy and leaves that shitshow

[@chriswarfield7520]

Cody vs Roman made me watch mania for the first time in since 2001

[@mikeawesome9212]

Tony Khan gets compared to Heyman..... what a load of bullshit.

[@brokenkayfabe]

I KNOW RIGHT LOL

[@jyguzman933]

Im a wrestling guy for most part and I think the story line with Roman and the Bloodline actually made him credible in WWE to be honest. He was becoming boring after winning the title so they had to involve him with the bloodline and Roman again. See the pattern?

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@jyguzman933 Triple H is just a terrible booker but because people were used to the garbage of Vince McMahon they are blinded. Triple H works at a snails pace and is overly cautious.

[@alonemax2912]

​​​​@@brokenkayfabe, Triple H has the best PR system ever existed in wrestling. People are being tricked into thinking he's a great booker. Obviously, i don't think late Vince was good with booking (only some rare stuff was good), but Triple H books so predictable, like you can predict his booking for a year, which is insane and it's not a good thing at all. At least Vince didn't had such flaw mostly and Tony Khan doesn't have it too for various reasons.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@alonemax2912 triple h just isnt a visionary. Even with nxt gold and black, he just copied the indies. HBK is the answer for the main roster.

[@alonemax2912]

@@brokenkayfabe, yeah. Shawn risks more with his booking.

[@LorGlocky]

lol 2:54 what a idiot he’s talking like he’s Cody’s agent and it aged like spoiled milk lol same with Alvarez…

[@DavidTheBulldog]

Jdfromny had a point and it just turned better for cody than he thought

[@Mewse1203]

That guy is a moron. He was saying they won't do anything with Cody because he took money out of Vince's pocket. How can you claim to be an authority on wrestling when you are completely fucking ignorant of wrestling history.

[@assassinsknight]

I don’t think Brawl out would have happened, with Cody there. Punk would go up to Tony several times and say please handle that. Cody was the guy that would have handled it.

[@kevbotchill]

Tony comparing himself to heyman… arguably the greatest mind in wrestling…

[@mikeygraves16]

Well tbf "he" didn't compare himself to Heyman. He said "other people" have said that he's MOST LIKE Heyman out of the choices being Heyman, Vince, and Crockett.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@mikeygraves16there weren’t ay choices thats why he clarified it wasn’t triple h. Just a fyi.

[@mikeygraves16]

@@brokenkayfabe Ah I must've misheard that part then. Appreciate the correction

[@SpaghettiYOLOKing]

​@mikeygraves16 true, but obviously, he takes great pride in being told that, which is why he touted it. If he was indeed told that by somebody, whoever said that should never give their opinion ever again.

[@RobCrowley85]

"You took an audience away, qnd they're going 5o welcome you with open arms?!" Triple H: Hold my non-alcoholic beer.

[@SandMan1998]

We will probably never know why cody left. But my theory is it had something to do with Brandi, possibly tony not wanting to renew the contract

[@brokenkayfabe]

What you mean? Cody said what it was here

[@SandMan1998]

​@@brokenkayfabe take everything with a grain of salt. There could be NDA

[@davidworden4470]

I've been waiting for this

[@oldmangames6593]

Wow the editing of this man's words. How many of these clips are being taken out of context rn?

[@brokenkayfabe]

Lol

[@joshuacauser]

All of them lol, just another guy trying to make a living making “mini documentaries” on KZbin

[@Sethantoniorodriguez]

This was excellent! Very well made bro

[@brokenkayfabe]

Thanks bro!

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

This was cool but the entire video somehow felt like an intro to a video that never started. The editing was great but how you worded the narration was interesting. Good job brother.

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@MrOuija-rr8kq yeah im learning as I go. Trying my best! Hopefully get a bit better each video.

[@NotAChair]

was going to comment the same thing! Good editing, I think having some of intro moment, then pause and state the video title, then change the music to somthing less intest to the video can build back up. Wrestling bios or wrestling with regret, has really good pacing, best of luck keep up the work!

[@brokenkayfabe]

yeah i dont really understand pacing...theres no like definition lol

[@mutts.nutts1]

Amazing documentary can't wait for part 2, million times better than anything wwe would have put out 🔥 Keep up the brilliant work fella 👍 👏 👌

[@brokenkayfabe]

thank you! out now

[@jjc1188]

My hat is off to those who put this piece together. Beautiful work.

[@brokenkayfabe]

Thank you!

[@FiveSecReviews]

This made me hate AEW

[@ItsameBS]

Brandi go booed and demoted. He didn't want to turn heel. That is why

[@brokenkayfabe]

Lol. No. He was already a heel.

[@SamuelHereAmI]

Great Video.. I really miss Cody in AEW, but grrreat to see his success in WWE. I always wanted Cody to turn Heel n hold the AEW Title after promising not to go for the Belt.

[@universallove7741]

This video is very very very well researched !! This video is soooo good Thank you for this one !

[@brokenkayfabe]

Thank you for your kind words! Stay tuned for part 2!

[@universallove7741]

@@brokenkayfabe I can’t wait !! Wooo

[@yojon4905]

This channel is great for a fan like me who is just getting back into this 😅

[@brokenkayfabe]

im so glad to hear that! have you checked out part two?

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

There is a reason for a solid 4 -5 years in Aew that I thought Cody owned the company. I didnt know Tony khan existed until Covid and I was like who the hell is Tony khan and what do you mean he owns Aew

[@Wrestlekram]

What a great video I just sub. Yall killed this fr much love

[@brokenkayfabe]

@@Wrestlekram thank you! Glad you appreciate all the time I put I to this.

[@JHebertSide95]

So basically… I should not get excited for AEW going forward then… that’s all that tells me… Man, idk how else to say this… I’m happy for Cody… But man we’re in a completely fucked timeline and none of this should have happened…