Cody Rhodes Says Only WrestleMania 38 Was Considered For His WWE Return

After leaving WWE in 2016, Cody Rhodes returned to the company at WrestleMania 38, defeating Seth Rollins after being revealed as Mr McMahon's mystery opponent for the former Universal Champion. 

Cody's return to WWE had been expected, with it being reported he had re-signed with the company in the weeks ahead of WrestleMania. No one was completely sure about when Rhodes would re-debut in the company, though, and some speculated he might show up on an episode of Monday Night Raw from Jacksonville, Florida - the spiritual home of AEW.

As noted, that show passed without Cody's return and The American Nightmare revealed on Out Of Character with Ryan Satin that only WrestleMania was considered as the event for him to re-debut at. 

"I mean, as far as my understanding the plan was always WrestleMania and nothing was ever considered. At one point, I saw people talking about Jacksonville, and that's a no. Again, it's not about leaving. It was about returning and the place to do it was at The Showcase Of The Immortals," Cody said.

"The biggest stage there is in what we do, undisputed is WrestleMania. There was a lot of synergy and love over the fact that it was Dallas, Texas. That is where I had my last WrestleMania with the Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship."

Prior to his WWE return, Rhodes founded All Elite Wrestling and he spent three years in the company as an EVP and in-ring talent. He and wife Brandi Rhodes left the promotion in February 2022.

H/T to SEScoops