Report: Update On Cody Rhodes' AEW Status

While Cody Rhodes remains the TNT Champion, it emerged on Monday that The American Nightmare is no longer under contract with All Elite Wrestling. 

Rhodes' AEW deal reportedly expired at the end of 2021 and he is currently a free agent with no contract.

In an update on the situation, Dave Meltzer noted on the F4W Online message board that "almost everyone" within AEW was avoiding him but the individual he spoke to believed it might be a publicity stunt. 

"Okay, this is the situation. Almost everyone is avoiding me today there, so either it's true and they are all mad it's out or it's a work and they don't want to lie to me. One person near the top told me they thought it was a publicity stunt but stressed they didn't know for sure. But one would think if it was a big story internally they would know. But that's the only person who would even talk to me today," Meltzer wrote.

"Remember as far as technical goes. If there was a new contract offered starting this year, Cody has not been there. If they expected to ratify it on 1/5, he was to be there, came to Newark, got the call and flew home before going to the building and hasn't been back. I know the health reason within his family was legit. So Sapp's story could be correct, I'm guessing it is, but that's the situation. If he's not there Wednesday it's a story. If anything changes I'll update."

F4W Online also noted that Cody is working on a new deal to remain with AEW. 

Rhodes was scheduled to defend the TNT Championship at Battle Of The Belts but he was pulled from the show due to "medical protocol" and later confirmed he and wife Brandi Rhodes were isolating with family who had tested positive for COVID-19. 

Cody is scheduled to return on Wednesday's episode of Dynamite.