The three-time TNT Champion claimed he wasn't even on the company's payroll anymore, according to a recent Fightful report.
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After last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Cody Rhodes cemented his reputation as pro wrestling’s most chaotic worker by teasing a WWE Royal Rumble 2022 appearance. On the show, Rhodes lost a TNT Championship unification ladder match to Sammy Guevara after being struck with the original and interim straps and falling all the way to the mat. This was a joyous occasion for Sammy, but not for Cody, who spoke of a “insane week in wrestling” in his post-match interview.
The three-time TNT Champion claimed he wasn’t even on the company’s payroll anymore, according to a recent Fightful report claiming Rhodes is currently a free agent after his AEW contract expired.
“There’s so many elephants in the room. This is an insane week in wrestling. People think that the Sean Ross [Sapp] story is bs — it’s not. I am working here without a contract. I’m not even on payroll any more. I’m working here on a handshake deal. That is 100% legitimate, I swear on Pharaoh’s life. if you want to know how serious things got,” Rhodes said.
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The phrase “crazy week” is most likely referring to Saturday’s Royal Rumble event. As soon as Fightful’s storey broke, Rhodes was linked to a surprise appearance in WWE’s signature over-the-top-rope battle royal, though the idea of a company executive involved in two separate television shows on AEW’s home network appearing for Tony Khan’s biggest competitor was always fanciful.
“But I can tell you this. I have never felt more at home, then under those lights, wrestling for the TNT title. A title that will never, ever, ever be secondary because of matches like that. Old school promoters will tell you, the title could make the man or the man can make the title. At this moment we don’t know which is which. Very proud of Sammy Guevara. I absolutely wish I could go home to my baby girl, to my other — my family, and say, ‘Hey, the TNT champ once again.’ A belt that was synonymous with my name, doesn’t look like it’s gonna be just about me. Brodie, Miro, Darby, Sammy, myself. I’m slow when it comes to rematches, but maybe I won’t be so slow getting my rematch for this one,”
For now, gonna take a beat, get with Arn — Arn’s been there for my whole career. I’mma think about it. Again, an insane week, where I have heard the most wonderful, crazy things from all walks of the wrestling world on what it is that I do next. But like I said, I’ve never felt more at home than wrestling for that title in front of a crowd like that,” Rhodes added.
