Cody and Brandi Rhodes have parted ways with All Elite Wrestling. The news was confirmed Tuesday morning, with Rhodes and AEW releasing separate statements.
Rhodes, who served as an executive vice president of the company, and his wife Brandi, the promotion's Chief Brand Officer, have been a part of the organization since its inception in January 2019. Rhodes was one of the promotion's top stars, especially in the early days of AEW. He was a three-time TNT champion for the promotion.
"I have loved my time at AEW. Amazing locker room. Amazing fans. Amazing people. The 'revolution' was indeed televised, and I've been incredibly lucky to be part of that," Cody Rhodes said. "First, I want to thank Tony Khan. He's taken the baton and run with it, and it was an honor to work for him and to know him on a personal level. He's a beautiful soul. [I] obviously, need to thank my incredible wife and the mother of my baby girl, Brandi, for all of her love and support throughout this journey together and the amazing relationships she fostered with Kulture City and the American Heart Association. I also need to thank Nick and Matt Jackson (these two, whether they know it or not, took an undesired and not confident lil' cub and gifted me the confidence to become a leader of the pack), Kenneth Omega, Chris Jericho, Chicken... we started the fire.
— AEW COMMUNITY OUTREACH (@CodyRhodes) February 15, 2022
"I have so many milestones and beautiful memories of this renaissance. Through sweat, blood, tears, literal fire, and all that... I left it all on the mat. Everything pales in comparison to the final contribution I was empowered to lead at the company, the community outreach team. In the most inward moments, your outward behavior and your ability to take fame/influence and do something of value for the communities you visit [whether the cameras are on or off] is the highest honor. I am confident Amanda Huber will lead the department with style. I'm so proud of my creations and contributions and the items I supported or collaborated on with such wonderful professionals."
Cody was an integral component of AEW. The spark of life for AEW was an independent wrestling show, All-In, co-promoted by him and the Young Bucks in association with Ring of Honor. The show was the first non-WWE or WCW professional wrestling event in the U.S. to sell 10,000 tickets since 1993. Cody holds the record for most AEW TNT championship reigns at three and has the second-longest combined title reign. Cody and Brandi, the latter of whom also had brief spells of in-ring action, also stars on the TNT reality series Rhodes to the Top. Cody has served as a judge on two seasons of the network's Go-Big Show alongside Rosario Dawson, T-Pain, Jennifer Nettles, Bert Kreischer and, formerly, Snoop Dogg.
Thank you Cody and Brandi Rhodes pic.twitter.com/tkDvVpnrrE
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 15, 2022
Khan acknowledged the separation, thanking Cody and Brandi in a statement published by AEW's Twitter.
"Cody and Brandi Rhodes were integral to the launch of All Elite Wrestling," Khan said. "Cody's ability combined with his boldness and his passion for our industry and his love for community outreach helped AEW deliver on our mission to give fans what they needed for far too long -- something new, innovative and lasting. Brandi helped us shape the AEW story, and I appreciate how hard she fought for us both in the ring and out of the ring, competing in the women's division while advancing our efforts at inclusion and civic causes, including great partnerships with Kulture City and the American Heart Association.
"I have immense respect and appreciation for Cody and Brandi, and I wish them both the best as they move on from AEW. Thank you, Cody and Brandi!"
