Arn Anderson to manage Cody in AEW

Cody Rhodes is kicking off the new year by adding a legendary wrestler as his manager.

It was announced via Sports Illustrated today that Cody will introduce Arn Anderson as his “new on-screen personal advisor” on this Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.

“2019 was the most successful year I’ve had in pro wrestling,” Cody said in a press release. “Beyond the superfluous financial, it’s been incredibly rewarding on a spiritual level to be able to engage so many fans with a like-minded place in their hearts for the sport.”

The press release also included Cody giving a storyline explanation for choosing Anderson as his manager: “That said, one of my greatest fears came true as I lost the opportunity to wrestle for the World Championship again. But, on the other side of that fear is freedom to chase every other accolade outside of that title. I still want to collect all the accolades I can and dominate the singles division. That’s why I’m bringing in Arn Anderson as my personal advisor and head coach. He has been in business with my family for over three decades. Having been a wrestler throughout so many different generations of talent, he understands what ingredients it takes to look beyond the horizon and produce the best content and results.”

Cody had sent out a tweet on Friday teasing that he would be making a change to his in-ring presentation: “Excited to make a big change and apply a new strategy to my personal in-ring presentation in 2020. Hopefully I can share the good news soon!”

Anderson appeared during Cody’s match against Shawn Spears (who is managed by Tully Blanchard) at All Out and gave Spears a spinebuster. Anderson was also one of the judges for Chris Jericho and Cody’s AEW World Championship match at Full Gear.

Daily’s Place amphitheater in Jacksonville, Florida is hosting Wednesday’s Dynamite. Cody will face Darby Allin on the episode, and MJF will give his stipulations for a future match against Cody.

Cody vs. Allin is a rematch from when they went to a time-limit draw at Fyter Fest in June. Allin getting the rematch was a stipulation of him teaming with Cody against The Butcher & The Blade two weeks ago.