Cody Rhodes, a key figure in the founding of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and now a top star in WWE, recently made a notable reference to his former company, terming it “the alternative promotion.” The comment came during the season two premiere of his “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast, where he was joined by his wife, Brandi Rhodes.
The reference occurred while Cody and Brandi were briefly discussing the narrative surrounding their departure from AEW in early 2022. Cody remarked on how their public perception was handled after they left the company he helped build.
“We’re not gonna get too far into it,” Cody Rhodes stated on the podcast, “but when we left the alternative promotion, we were also slightly rewritten… [how we] were portrayed very Dark Knight-esque.”
Brandi Rhodes chimed in response to the “Dark Knight-esque” portrayal, saying, “No. Believe it all for me. Let the darkness in. Just enhances my beauty. I’m like the wicked stepmother or something.”
Cody Rhodes was instrumental in the formation of AEW in 2019, serving as an Executive Vice President and one of its marquee talents. He was a three-time TNT Champion before his contract expired and he chose not to re-sign, leading to his highly publicized return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022. Brandi Rhodes also held an executive role in AEW as its Chief Brand Officer and was an on-screen talent before her departure alongside Cody.
Cody Rhodes has generally maintained a respectful public stance regarding his time in AEW and the company itself since his return to WWE, where he has achieved significant success, including winning the Undisputed WWE Championship. His choice of words on his podcast provides a small but interesting insight into how he navigates discussing his complex history with AEW.
The couple did not delve further into the specifics of their AEW departure or the “rewritten” narratives during this particular segment of the podcast, quickly moving on to other topics. However, the acknowledgment of “the alternative promotion” itself is a point of interest for fans who follow the careers of those who have been prominent in both companies.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit What Do You Wanna Talk About? with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
