Cody Rhodes tells Fightful AEW backstage reaction to his contract situation (Patreon)

Fightful Select caught up with Cody Rhodes at the premiere of the WWE and Peacock documentary American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp was in Atlanta and got to speak to Cody.

Sean asked Cody how he felt being the talk of the wrestling world when news of him being a free agent came out, and he took over the news cycle over a  returning Stone Cold Steve Austin. Cody said he looked at it with a sense of responsibility. Cody talked about wanting to keep capturing the fans' imagination. He said it comes down to what fans are witnessing in real time. He brought up All In, AEW, and WrestleMania 38 as examples.

Cody said he thought he would get booed in Dallas and felt certain he would be. Cody talked about the reaction backstage at AEW when news of him possibly leaving emerged. Cody said everyone knew because he took pride in being an executive, tried to be a leader, and loved the role. Cody said it was just the center of fun for him, and anyone that came in there knows that. He thought everyone got the sense of business as usual.

Cody talked about his last match, working with Sammy Guevara as an executive, and said he would ensure Sammy looked amazing. Cody said he didn’t think anyone was concerned because they didn’t believe he’d leave AEW. Cody said they didn’t think he would go because AEW was The Young Bucks, Tony Khan, and his baby.

Cody mentioned that there wasn’t time for a big tumultuous fallout. Sean asked Cody if he still talks to The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. Cody said, “All the time,” and mentioned that they need to thank Matt & Nick because of the BTE footage that they got to use. Cody said he believes most will be blown away that it was in there. Cody said Matt and Nick Jackson were generous to allow them to use it. Cody said he has a great relationship with The Bucks and Kenny Omega, and they will be bonded forever.

The full interview will be public on July 31 for aggregators to gain full quotes.