Cody and Brandi Rhodes leaving AEW in major wrestling shakeup

Cody and Brandi Rhodes were instrumental in the founding and growth of All Elite Wrestling, but the two are now leaving the promotion.

AEW owner Tony Khan announced in a statement on Tuesday that Cody and Brandi are parting ways with the company.

Thank you Cody and Brandi Rhodes pic.twitter.com/tkDvVpnrrE

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 15, 2022

The news rocked the wrestling world, as Cody Rhodes is AEW’s biggest original star. Rhodes wrestled in WWE for a decade, where he teamed up with his half-brother Dustin aka “Goldust.” Cody and Dustin are the sons of wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes.

Cody, 36, left WWE in 2016 and worked for several independent promotions before helping launch AEW in 2019. He is credited with bringing in almost all of the major talent to AEW, which helped it become the second-largest wrestling promotion behind WWE. Cody recently did not renew his contract with AEW, which was a hint that he may be planning to leave.

Ariel Helwani reports that Rhodes is in discussions with WWE about a potential return.

Those who do not follow wrestling closely may know Cody from when he wrestled Shaq in an AEW match last year. Shaq negotiated to take part in some AEW matches as part of his latest contract with Turner, and he began picking a fight with Rhodes.

Brandi, who also wrestled in WWE but left in 2016 with Cody, could also return to WWE.

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