Cody Rhodes' departure from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in early 2022 shocked the wrestling world. As one of AEW's founding executive vice presidents, Rhodes was widely seen as a pillar of the promotion. But after citing creative differences and unresolved backstage tensions, he walked away from the company he helped build.
Rhodes returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022, triggering a meteoric rise that saw him win two consecutive Royal Rumble matches and headline multiple pay-per-views. His move was not just a career shift but a turning point for both AEW and WWE.
