Cody Rhodes’ first run in WWE was a far cry from his second run in the company. Young Rhodes first stepped foot in the business in 2006 as a rookie. As the youngest son of the legendary American Dream Dusty Rhodes, Cody had huge shoes to fill. During his early days in WWE, Rhodes was a member of The Legacy alongside Ted Dibiase, a tag team trio led by Randy Orton. Although Rhodes had moderate success as an up-and-comer, he had several gimmick changes during his first run. Struggling to find his true in-ring character, Rhodes requested his release from the Stamford-based company in 2016 due to creative disagreement.
While he was away from WWE, Rhodes scratched and clawed to make a name for himself in other promotions. With wrestling deeply ingrained in his DNA, Rhodes was able to reinvent himself as he won multiple titles in Ring of Honor, NJPW, and AEW.
Let’s not forget, Cody was a key person that helped Tony Khan build AEW. As time passed, Rhodes transformed into the best version of himself. In 2022, Rhodes returned to WWE and unveiled this whole new version of himself. His return to WWE was so monumental that nobody could make light of it. Not even Vince McMahon.
Eric Bischoff feels Vince McMahon gave Cody Rhodes a do-over by re-signing him
Speaking on the “Strictly Business” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff discussed the significance of Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE. According to Bischoff, Vince McMahon did not swallow his pride by bringing Rhodes back to the company but rather gave Rhodes a chance to prove him wrong.
“I told Vince McMahon, Bruce Prichard and Nick Khan — this very small circle of individuals —
I told them what I truly believe and it’s that I’m the best wrestler in the world.”
– Cody Rhodes
(via Variety) pic.twitter.com/mDH7NZeBtX— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) April 3, 2022
“My impression, I don’t think Vince swallowed his pride at all,” Bischoff said. “I don’t think that’s the way Vince is really built.”
“He’s hoping somebody like Cody Rhodes comes along and proves him wrong. I think that’s why they were willing to pay Cody what they paid him to come back. Cody left there in one financial category and came back in an entirely different one.”
“I talked all the smack on earth, but none of it mattered.
It was just ‘hey, you went out and did it’.”
– Cody Rhodes on meeting with Vince McMahon & co
(via The Ringer) pic.twitter.com/Hd1dKwCQ4u— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) April 3, 2022
Bischoff also added that McMahon agreed to put Rhodes in a completely different financial category than what he was in during his first run in WWE. It’s conspicuous that Rhodes has earned his keep. His Hell in a Cell match will go down as a history-making moment in wrestling. The fact that Rhodes wrestled with a torn pectoral muscle was as shocking as it was valiant.
Cody Rhodes recalls how Vince McMahon requested him to return to his company
It’s no secret that Cody Rhodes left the company on bad terms in 2016. Rhodes’ career transformed after he joined AEW. The former AEW TNT Champion even served as the Executive Vice President of AEW.
However, Vince McMahon somehow managed to steal him from Tony Khan. In an edition of The Ringer Wrestling Show, Cody Rhodes revealed that Vince McMahon and Bruce Pritchard flew down to meet Rhodes to talk business.
EXCLUSIVE: @codyrhodes is back In @WWE and told @DavidShoemaker all about it immediately after his match with @WWERollins at #WrestleMania. @WWE https://t.co/pxIj2GhKFK pic.twitter.com/IaOhgiVL08
— The Ringer Wrestling Show (@ringerwrestling) April 3, 2022
“It felt good. You spend all the time trying to prove people wrong who doubted you and prove people right who were on board with you. But, in that moment, it was just closure on the first loop and excitement for what’s next,” Cody said.
According to him, Vince McMahon cut to the chase without bringing up the past. Rhodes buried the hatchet with McMahon and agreed to be introduced as The American Nightmare.
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