Cody Rhodes officially returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 this past weekend, making him the first major star from AEW to jump to Vince McMahon’s promotion. Reports of WWE being interested in various AEW stars like MJF, Wardlow and Jade Cargill have been popping up for well over a year and many fans believe Rhodes’ signing (if he is presented as a top star) could pave the way for them to jump ship in the coming years. Ariel Helwani spoke with Rhodes following a press conference on Sunday morning and asked “The American Nightmare” about other AEW stars following his lead.
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“I would only give somebody honest advice. That might be right for somebody. This was right for me. I don’t know when the first…I think I know who those people will be because there are certain people who fit this ‘superstar mode,’ I think I know how the types might be and when they ask, I’m going to give them the best advice I possibly can. I can say though, that the schedule here, at the least the schedule I had the first time, is not for the non-committed, you can’t be one foot. It is a full-time commitment. You’re not getting paid to work one day a week. That’s not knocking anybody who is. That might be the biggest shock and change. The structure here is positive. It’s a wonderful structure. It’s a little less punk rock, and punk rock is great, and then you want to play something else. That’s what I experienced,” Rhodes said (h/t Fightful).
“When they start coming and talking, I’m sure people will make the transition,” he added. “You’ll probably guess some of the people who will come over and, undoubtedly, people like Bryan (Danielson) and Adam Cole, people will make that move there. It is a healthy thing. It doesn’t seem healthy when you watch the show because all we’re doing is talking trash about each other, which I really hope nobody here does because it’s lazy, it’s lazy, and you’re discrediting what’s built and what got me. You’re discrediting me and you’re incorrect in the sense that it doesn’t matter. I’ll always give the best advice because this schedule is not for everybody. WWE made it, WWE and Nick Khan specifically made it so easy. There’s a bus, your family, your wife, your daughter, red carpet. With that red carpet means it’s time to get to work. I’m curious how I’ll do it, but I’ll never do it in terms of leveraging. I can only give honest advice because everyone’s path is different.”
Rhodes was asked about the subject during the press conference as well, saying that he’s just happy that the business is healthy enough to where lots of wrestlers from numerous companies are well-known all over the world. Who do you think will be the next big AEW star to leave for WWE? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!
