Why Does Cody Rhodes Really Avoid Saying “AEW”?

Could WWE be behind Cody Rhodes’ decision to avoid saying the letters AEW?

Cody Rhodes was one of the founding members of AEW in 2019, along with The Young Bucks, Adam Page, and Kenny Omega. Rhodes took on an EVP role in Tony Khan’s company, but left the wrestling world in shock in early 2022 when he was the first of the group to break ranks and leave the company.

Rhodes then returned as a megastar to WWE, a stark contrast from how he was viewed when he left the company in 2016.

Since then, Cody Rhodes has finished his story and captured the WWE Championship. But when it comes to his AEW past, The American Nightmare is seemingly wrestling with personal issues that he has not yet come to terms with. So much so that he very rarely brings himself to even say the name AEW. But is that WWE’s influence on him?

Cody Rhodes Sticks With “Alternative Promotion”

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer was asked about Cody Rhodes referring to AEW as the “alternative promotion”, and Meltzer noted he believes WWE doesn’t want Rhodes using his former company’s name:

I think that they don’t want him to use the term AEW. I don’t know if it’s on a banned list, but it’s probably on a very encouraged do-not-say-it list.

I don’t think it does Cody any good to talk about AEW. I don’t think he wants to.

WWE has held off on announcing Cody Rhodes as part of Wrestlepalooza, but it seems the Undisputed WWE Champion will be on that show on September 20th.

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