AEW President Tony Khan issues response to Cody Rhodes’ comments about feeling disrespected in AEW
While appearing on Bill Simmons’ podcast in the summer of 2025, Cody Rhodes opened up about his decision to leave AEW for WWE in 2022…
“There’s clearly bad blood, but there’s also clearly respect and love. And in the end, the way I kind of see it is – if I felt disrespected ever at WWE, that’s one thing. That’s a company that was built. That’s the Yankees. That’s the flagship of it all. If I ever felt there, you know, I was a number on a sheet, maybe. But feeling disrespected at something I built with my friends, feeling disrespected there, I wouldn’t stand for it.”
In an interview with Q101, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about Cody’s remarks. Here was Khan’s response…
“You know, he does a lot of interviews, and I think when you have to say so many words so often, because he works so hard and works such a big schedule—and to his credit, I bet he does hundreds of interviews a year—I’m not sure I agree with that. But I also would give him the benefit of the doubt.
I’ve heard him say a lot of positive things too. And for somebody that doesn’t work here and is involved in a competitive promotion, he’s usually pretty gracious with the things he says.
I’ve seen him since he’s been gone, and it’s always been very positive and good. And, you know, I have only good things to say about him and his contributions here.”