Forbes Profile Of AEW's Tony Khan Reportedly Upset Cody Rhodes

While Cody Rhodes had said as recently as December 2021 that he couldn't see himself anywhere other than All Elite Wrestling, it was announced on Tuesday that The American Nightmare and Brandi Rhodes had left the promotion, departing their roles as Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer in the process.

Cody's AEW contract initially expired at the end of 2021 and Rhodes wanted a "big money deal" which was a factor in both sides parting ways. 

Tensions between Rhodes and AEW President Tony Khan may also have been an issue, though, and Andrew Zarian revealed on We're Live Pal that a source told him Cody was annoyed about Forbes' October 2021 profile of Khan.

"You don't pick up and leave for just a financial thing when you're there from the ground up. There's stuff going on and the rumours are coming out that him and Tony have been having disagreements. There's something going on there. I don't know if it's all true. Somebody sent me a link to a Forbes article and said, 'This really upset certain people, especially Cody.' I don't know if that's 100 percent but that plays into everything," Zarian said. 

Khan opened the Forbes profile by describing himself as "the owner, chairman, president, CEO, founder, booker, head of creative and a few other things for All Elite Wrestling." 

Zarian's report comes after TMZ claimed Cody and Tony Khan had fallen out "as Khan's visibility within the company grew." 

Regardless, Cody is expected to return to WWE after six years away following his AEW departure and the three-time TNT Champion is reportedly in line for a big push.