Report: Loss Of Booking Power A Key Factor In Cody Rhodes Leaving AEW

Cody and Brandi Rhodes exited All Elite Wrestling on Tuesday, February 15, leaving the company they founded with Tony Khan, The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega in January 2019. 

The American Nightmare is set to make a sensational return to WWE after six years away while Brandi won't join her husband back on Raw, SmackDown or NXT. 

Cody's AEW contract initially expired at the end of 2021 and the three-time TNT Champion continued to perform on TV on a handshake deal but talks broke down with Tony Khan over a new contract as both sides were far apart on money.

Money wasn't the only factor in Rhodes' exit, though. 

According to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Cody "losing all responsibilities involving booking" was a "key factor" in his exit. 

A key aspect of Dusty Rhodes' legacy in professional wrestling was his time as a booker and Cody wished to pay homage to his father and cement his own legacy by helping out with creative in AEW. When Cody's booking power was taken away, though, it "hurt Rhodes more than any loss he suffered in the ring," according to SI. 

Cody was initially involved in booking AEW TV during the promotion's first year in existence but that changed in January 2020 after Tony Khan took full control of creative. Khan noted in past interviews that he still discussed creative with the company's EVPs but that he had become a lot more hands-on, writing the shows himself.