How Cody Rhodes Jump To WWE Hurt AEW Star’s Career

Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE had a big knock-on effect.

In late 2021 Cody Rhodes was still a regular on AEW television, but he wasn’t wrestling as often as he would have liked. To combat any ring rust, Rhodes struck up an unlikely partnership with Fuego Del Sol under the guise of the star’s long-lost brother Fuego II.

Known as Too Fast Too Fuego, the pair quickly amassed a 4-0 record, but Fuego II disappeared with all the suddenness with which he arrived. Suspiciously, the masked star disappeared just before Rhodes left AEW in February 2022 to re-sign with WWE.

Speaking to Fightful, Fuego Del Sol reflected on the partnership, adding that when the American Nightmare left AEW, it hurt his own standing within the company.

“People love to point out the similarities (of Fuego and Cody Rhodes). It just sucks because Fuego II went missing the same time Cody jumped ship and left us all. Missing, presumed dead, at this point. The more the I think about it, I don’t want to fight back tears. What a fun little thing while it lasted. It was only four matches, but it took the world by storm.

It was really just a way for Fuego II to stay in ring shape. He felt like he was cutting too many promos on TV. It was great for me because it guaranteed me to be at TV every week. When Cody leaves, I don’t have that guarantee to be at TV every week, it slowly hurt my standing within AEW,”

Cody Rhodes Challenges The Rock

Since leaving AEW, the second-generation star has gone on to become one of WWE’s biggest names.

During an appearance at Elimination Chamber, Cody Rhodes laid down a challenge to The Rock, after the Hollywood megastar slapped him at a recent media event. Rhodes was quickly backed up by Seth Rollins, only adding to speculation that the pair will team together to take on Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.

Meanwhile, Fuego Del Sol left AEW in June 2023.