The Past Isn't Finished: Tony Khan Responds to Cody Rhodes' AEW Comments

Introduction

AEW President Tony Khan has issued a public response. The response is to recent comments made by WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes. Rhodes spoke about feeling disrespected during his final months in AEW. This exchange did not happen in a ring or on a scripted segment. It occurred in interviews and on social media. It shows how history and perception continue to shape the relationship between wrestling's two major companies.

Cody Rhodes' Original Comments

Cody Rhodes is currently a top star in WWE. He is the WWE Champion. In a recent interview, he discussed his departure from AEW in early 2022. He stated he felt a growing sense of disrespect. He pointed to specific creative decisions. One was losing a stipulation match that barred him from ever challenging for the AEW World Championship. He suggested the environment changed as the company grew. He implied his vision and his value were not fully aligned with the company's direction at the time.

Tony Khan's Public Response

Tony Khan responded during a media call for the AEW pay-per-view, Double or Nothing. He was asked directly about Rhodes' statements. Khan acknowledged he saw the comments. He stated that he was surprised by them. He said he always had respect for Cody Rhodes. He listed Rhodes' contributions to AEW's founding. He mentioned the first-ever AEW match and the creation of the TNT Championship. Khan's tone was not angry, but it was firm. He presented a counter-narrative of gratitude and historic importance.

The Core of the Disagreement

The public disagreement is not about facts, but about perspective. Cody Rhodes' side focuses on the feeling at the end of his tenure. It focuses on creative limits and a sense of diminishing standing. Tony Khan's side focuses on the broader arc of history and contribution. This is a common disconnect in any professional split. One person remembers the final chapter most vividly. The other remembers the entire book.

Why This Matters to Fans

For wrestling fans, this is more than gossip. Cody Rhodes is a founding Executive Vice President of AEW. He was one of the "Four Pillars" presented as the company's face. His departure was a major business story. Seeing him succeed as the top champion in WWE raises inevitable questions. Fans debate what his career path says about both companies. This public airing of past grievances fuels those debates. It provides new context for a pivotal moment in recent wrestling history.

The Business Context of 2022

To understand the comments, one must recall the business in early 2022. AEW was expanding rapidly. It had acquired major talents like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson. The spotlight and creative direction were necessarily shifting. Concurrently, WWE was undergoing a management change. Vince McMahon's retirement created new opportunities. Rhodes left AEW in February 2022 and returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 that April. His move was seen as a major coup for WWE and a significant loss for AEW.

The Stipulation and Its Creative Weight

Rhodes specifically cited the championship stipulation as a point of disrespect. In 2020, he lost a match to then-AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. The stipulation stated Rhodes could never again challenge for the AEW World Title while employed there. At the time, it was framed as a bold, long-term story decision. In hindsight, Rhodes views it as a creative dead-end. This is a key example of how a creative choice can be seen as a business limitation years later.

Tony Khan's Defense of History

Khan's response heavily emphasized history. By citing the first match and the TNT Title, he grounded his respect in tangible milestones. His argument is implicit: a company does not give a performer those foundational moments without immense respect. This defense is about legacy. It seeks to separate the emotional conclusion from the overall body of work and honor given.

The Unavoidable Comparison of Success

The subtext of the entire exchange is current success. Cody Rhodes is arguably the most popular wrestler in the world and holds WWE's top prize. His AEW tenure is now a prelude to this peak. The discussion about how that tenure ended is inevitably colored by his present stardom. It raises the question of whether his current success validates his decision to leave. It also pressures Khan to defend the creative environment Rhodes left behind.

Impact on the "Forbidden Door" Concept

AEW has popularized the idea of the "forbidden door," collaborating with other wrestling promotions. The door between AEW and WWE, however, remains firmly shut. Exchanges like this illustrate why. They are not just about business competition, but about personal narratives and public reputations. When past grievances are discussed in real time, it reinforces the wall between the two companies. It makes any potential future interaction seem more distant.

Fan Reactions and Tribal Divisions

The fan reaction to this news is divided largely along company lines. AEW supporters often cite Khan's view and note Rhodes' success came after leaving. WWE supporters often cite Rhodes' view and see his WWE title win as vindication. This tribal reaction is a standard feature of modern wrestling fandom. The exchange provides new material for both sides. It reinforces existing loyalties more than it changes minds.

The Reality of Professional Partings

At its core, this is a common story of a professional parting. Rarely do high-profile executives or talent leave an organization with completely aligned stories. Differences in perception are normal. What is unusual is the public, global platform both men have to discuss it. Most corporate disagreements happen privately. In wrestling, fueled by media and fan interest, they often become part of the ongoing public story.

What This Means for AEW's Narrative

For Tony Khan and AEW, managing the history of departed founders is an ongoing task. The company is now nearly five years old. Its origin story is important. Khan's response is an effort to control that narrative. He is stating that the company honored and respected its founders, even if one later felt discontent. This is important for morale and for how other current talent view the company's loyalty.

What This Means for Cody Rhodes' Legacy

For Cody Rhodes, these comments further define his legacy as a pioneer who bet on himself twice. First, by leaving WWE to help start AEW. Second, by leaving AEW to return to WWE. His story is one of self-determination. Discussing the disrespect he felt frames his second departure as another necessary, defiant choice. It fits the "American Nightmare" character narrative of overcoming obstacles and doubters.

The Lack of Personal Attacks

It is important to note the exchange, so far, has not been personally vicious. Neither man has attacked the other's character. They have presented different perspectives on a professional relationship. This suggests a baseline of personal respect, even amid the disagreement. It keeps the door open for a less contentious relationship in the distant future, though not for business collaboration.

Conclusion: History is Still Being Written

The conversation between Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes is a reminder that wrestling history is never static. It is constantly being revisited and rewritten by those who lived it. As careers evolve, the meaning of past events changes. Rhodes' current standing forces a re-examination of his AEW exit. Khan's response is an attempt to anchor that history to a specific, respectful narrative. For fans, it is a rare look behind the curtain at the real tensions and perceptions that drive business decisions. The past between AEW and Cody Rhodes is not finished. It is a chapter both sides are still writing for the public, each from their own perspective.