WWE and AEW Rumor Roundup February 16, 2022: Cody Rhodes update and more

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Sudip Talukder

The WWE, AEW Rumor Roundup for February 16, 2022, includes Cody Rhodes situation, Steve Austin return talk, WrestleMania and more

These are all the latest rumor roundups in pro-wrestling, which are currently afloat. So let’s have a look at the rumor roundup from WWE and AEW.

1.Update on Cody Rhodes situation

According to Wrestling Observer, the AEW family thought everything was fine with Cody Rhodes and company. It was also said that he would re-sign with the company all the way up until it was announced that Rhodes and his wife Brandi were leaving the company.

Cody Rhodes (Ringside News)
WWE, AEW Rumor Roundup Cody Rhodes with wife Brandi at AEW

It was announced in the morning that the 36-year-old Cody Rhodes would be leaving the All Elite. AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter and wrote a heartfelt message about Cody and Brandi and said “Thank You” for their contribution to the company from the very beginning.

Thank you, Cody and Brandi Rhodes

2. No issues between EVP’s of AEW 

There were rumors of issues between AEW founding fathers and Executive Vice Presidents Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and Matt & Nick Jackson around the wrestling world. According to WrestleTalk, recent stories said that there were angry messages and emails between Cody and Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. 

Cody addressed all these rumor on a media call earlier this week and denied all these stories. He blamed all these rumor on angry WWE fans,

When I heard that story floating around, it was one of the things I chalk up as we’ve been very successful, AEW. And with NXT losing the Wednesday night wars, that created a lot of anger. And I understand that there are many hardcore NXT and WWE fans out there. So that’s why stories like that don’t surprise me. I think people need to cling to something.

And as to sexy as that story is, I talk to Matt and Nick every day. I speak to Kenny very often. I support their projects fully. They’ve been supportive of all my projects. And we would not be able to put [Dynamite] on the air. Tony [Khan is] the man, and Tony’s the boss, but we would not be able to put this show on the air if the four of us were not functioning as one team. Unfortunately, it’s not very sexy to say, but there’s no truth to that. But, again, we’re one team, and now with us expanding onto TBS, we will remain one team.

His rationale about AEW, who needs the EVPs to function as one team, makes a lot of sense now. Things are going pretty great between all, even with Cody’s leaving.

3. Steve Austin to return at WrestleMania 38

According to PWInsider, WWE has reached out to Steve Austin about being involved at WrestleMania 38 show in late December, but there didn’t seem much to be. 

Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin – Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage.com/ABC (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

However, there is also a say that Austin is not committed to wrestling, but the plan all along has been for him to be part of the show in Texas in some form.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that WWE is discussing “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs Kevin Owens as a possible match for WrestleMania 38 in April. If he wrestles, it would be his first match since facing The Rock at WrestleMania 19 in 2003. 

Fightful also reported first that WWE “has made a significant overture” towards Austin returning to the ring at WrestleMania 38. He will be playing a physical role, that’s for sure. 

4. AEW showing signs of being conservative

According to Wrestling Observer Radio, AEW is being a little more conservating when it comes to signings until the next TV deal, where they hope to increase.

AEW vs WWE
AEW and WWE are the most popular wrestling promotions (Entertainment Breakdown)

Tony Khan had an interview with TV Insider (h/t Cageside Seats) where he talked about AEW’s roster expansion will continue in 2022, but it is going to be more restraint, 

“I do think I have to be more discerning than ever in talent acquisition because we have such a strong roster. I was aggressively expanding with the launch of Rampage. We made some big signings in the past, including CM Punk. Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, Ruby Soho, Thunder Rosa, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, Andrade El Idolo, Malakai Black. Christian Cage and many others. We’ve also continued our partnerships with great international companies like New Japan Pro Wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA. We have a lot of great talent working, but it’s time for me to be more discerning than ever in terms of acquisitions.”

More AEW news