In a recent discussion on the “Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast with Jon Alba, AEW star Matt Hardy expressed his perspective on Cody Rhodes’ early tenure in the company, highlighting what he believes to be a significant mistake made by the foundational talent.
Cody Rhodes, a former WWE Intercontinental Champion, transitioned into a prominent figure in the wrestling world after leaving WWE in May 2016. Joining forces with The Elite, he played a pivotal role in the formation of AEW in 2019, becoming a key star in the promotion.
During a notable feud with Chris Jericho and the Inner Circle, Rhodes made a bold declaration at the 2019 Full Gear pay-per-view. He vowed never to challenge for the AEW World Championship again if he failed to secure the title from Jericho.
Matt Hardy shared his viewpoint on Cody Rhodes’ decision to limit himself from world title contention in AEW. Hardy suggested that Rhodes aimed to set an example, assuring both the locker room and fans that his position in the company’s management would not result in biased booking favoring him.
Check out Hardy’s comments in the video below:
However, Hardy argued that this decision was unwise, as a considerable portion of the audience desired to witness Rhodes’ character thrive as a top star and champion.
While acknowledging Cody’s effort to avoid making the show about himself, Hardy emphasized that the decision was handicapping. He pointed out that Rhodes, as one of the most popular figures in AEW, could have been involved in compelling storylines and rivalries, potentially generating more excitement and revenue for the promotion.
In summary, Matt Hardy believes that while Cody Rhodes had good intentions by voluntarily removing himself from the AEW World Championship picture, the decision ultimately limited his potential contributions as a premier player in the company.
