Cody Rhodes reportedly returning to WWE, loss of booking power led to AEW departure

What at one point felt highly unlikely will apparently become a reality as Cody Rhodes is reportedly returning to WWE after being an integral part of AEW since its 2019 launch.

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso reported the news Wednesday, saying that “sources close to the situation have confirmed that his next destination will be back where his career started in WWE.”

There was no timeframe given, but the report speculated Rhodes could begin filming vignettes at the Performance Center as soon as this weekend.

Barrasso’s sources also said that Cody’s wife, Brandi, is not expected to join him in WWE. If that is the case, it’s unknown where her in-ring career would continue if she wants to pursue it.

Barrasso noted that while Rhodes’ May 2016 departure from WWE after a decade was due to creative differences with his portrayal and specifically the Stardust character, those issues “will be a non-factor in this return where he is expected to have a far different relationship with the writing team and (Vince) McMahon.”

Cody, Brandi and AEW head Tony Khan all released positive statements on Tuesday as part of the split, but as of now, no one has spoken publicly as to the specifics of why an executive vice president and founding member of the startup decided it was time to go.

The report pointed to a specific area of friction regarding Rhodes losing booking power over time:

“While Rhodes was never intended to overstay his welcome in the world title picture, one key factor that led to this exit was losing all responsibilities involving booking. That is a role where (Tony) Khan, who is the head of creative, has taken full rein. Originally, Rhodes was part of that process. As great as Dusty Rhodes was as a performer, his contributions as a booker are an integral part of his legacy. For Rhodes, AEW represented another chance to pay homage to his father as a booker while also further cementing his own legacy. Losing that opportunity in AEW hurt Rhodes more than any loss he suffered in the ring,” he wrote.

There was nothing in the story about Rhodes having a booking/creative role within WWE upon his return.