Is Cody worth it?
 

Apart from the supposed coup of getting him from AEW, and the initial intrigue, is Cody bringing that much to the table to justify his supposedly inflated contract?


He wasn't much in his previous WWE run, and in AEW he was second to Jericho at the launch of the company, so what has really changed? Him claiming to be the best wrestler in an era where the in-ring product is secondary to the "ga-ga" is moot. Yes he is somewhat of an internet darling but as he settles in WWE that will ware off.

He talked about his father - okay, fine. Thats done now. In the long run, what does Cody offer?

ADRENALINE
IN MY SOUL
SHOVE IT UP YOURS CODY RHODES

Cody makes a fine billboard for the guys who left or want to leave.

I guess this is something that we will just see in time. I can't really speculate one way or another yet but is there any alleged details or number for this inflated contract? Serious question I'm curious about it because I don't keep up with all the news/rumors the way I used to

They have unlimited money.

I think I said it in the original thread. But when Vince wakes up one morning and wants him to be Stardust again and Cody doesn't have a choice in the matter, then what.

2.3 Million would suggest so!

Very early to tell but I think so, yeah. He’s got presence, comes across as a star, can do your media stuff. You can pair him with so many of their talents and get something halfway decent; there’s history with Orton, a natural feud with Reigns with their family history to draw from, a programme with The Miz would be easy to establish, vs McIntyre as 2 guys that left the company and rebuilt themselves, etc.

I think it’s down to WWE with how far they can take him.

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It’s at least worth it just to fulfil xrod’s TONYBAD kink.

In what way is crying about Bots a good thing?

in what way is crying about crying about bots a good thing?

in what way is crying about crying about crying about bots a good thing?

in what way is crying about crying about crying about crying about bots a good thing?

He answered the question before you asked it.

What is this, Jeopardy?

I think you are confusing your throwaway comments about posts on social media platforms. The throwaway comment I made relating to TK’s independent research into bots doesn’t actually exist. But don’t let that get in the way of your direct reply to something that wasn’t said.

THIS throwaway comment is about some dude’s post on Reddit and how Cody’s move back to WWE is at the very least worth it just to feed your insatiable appetite for TONYBAD content.

IF Bot xrod doesn't care about my throwaway comment, why respond to something I didn’t even say or infer? IF Bot xrod does care, why not just respond to that?

Or, you know, leave a throwaway comment that doesn’t merit a response as a throwaway comment that doesn’t merit a response?

As Destor said, he makes a great billboard. His debut was amazing, and if they continue to do it well, Tony is going to have no leverage when it comes to signing/retaining people. If you’ve got proper talent, why not go to the promotion with several times the global audience?

Theory: Most of the names who have their deals come up are going to choose WWE. Then, when the WarnerMedia deal with AEW is up, WWE are going to make a proper play for their slots.

You implying it is good solely for my "TONYBAD" content, but the joke of that post was Tony said his stupid independent research into bots was because he was coping with Cody leaving. The joke was about the bots, not a comment on Cody to WWE being worth it or not. My throwaway comment was just that, redirecting to Tony Khan's weird crowing, not actually arguing your CodyGood TonyBad post.

You twisted my throwaway comment just to create a counter argument to a post I made about Bald Revival Tweeting days ago. That kind of thought process would pop a few people here, but I am not a Fan of it.

This is if they make it to the end of their deal before they find their head on the Warner Bros. Discovery chopping block.

Cody in talks to play in Marvel Universe as son of a hero. Also Cody to debut new exquisite wine and liquors reality road show.

The sell would be more creative freedom, ownership and working a more wrestling style than ga-ga. AEW is the alternative (or close to it) that TNA should have been.

I feel as thought the wwe no longer holds my interest the way AEW does. Cody leaving was the only thing that made me watch wrestle mania highlights. The rest was the same old horseshit.

I was speaking to one of my only “out” wrestling fan friends before Mania (I suspect some of my other friends have at least a passing interest but we don’t talk about it), he’s been a WWE fan forever but he’s only watched the last 2 Manias and the Rumble in between. He’s into AEW now. I’m not sure that audience is big enough to get AEW to the point of perpetual motion like WWE

Nope.

If you’re WWE, it makes absolute sense to make Cody a big deal for them. It gives them that edge for any other AEW wrestlers who have always had “WWE Champion” as their end goal. These guys all grew up and got into the business to one day get into WWE, so even a lot of the die hard AEW originals may still one day want to make their way over.

Cody being presented well and succeeding gives everyone in AEW the thought that they can do the same. Even if WWE then hires 5 more AEW guys and treats them terribly, the 6th will still think “but maybe I can do what Cody did”

It’s going to be interesting to see where a lot of the AEW guys end up as their contracts expire. Say what you want about their product, the one thing they can’t guarantee is exposure on the level of WWE. A name I was thinking about earlier is Kenny Omega.

AEW 4 lyf, right? Now they’ve got a bunch of bigger names and arguably better workers (even if you like Omega’s style). Danielson, Punk and Joe spring immediatelty to mind. And Omega’s style seems to clash with Punk’s “Bret Hart” philosophy.

Omega’s deal is up in early 2023. WWE can drape a Rumble debut, a match with Styles at Mania, a big program across the summer and then talk about bringing Jericho in for Hall of Fame induction and retirement match against Omega at Mania 40. If Omega has concerns about going in, a program with Styles and Jericho tentatively laid out could ease that. If you believe WWE really wants to rip the soul out of AEW, they can make these sorts of promises.

I don’t think anyone in AEW is actually safe from their tendrils now they’ve got a taste for actually giving AEW guys big stage moments.

I dont think WWE needs or wants 90% of AEW's roster.

90% of AEW's roster is people WWE already had and released :rofl:

They don't. But that 10% at the top is definitely on their radar.

Agreed.

MJF seems to want to go to WWE and thinks they're gonna offer him a huge crazy contract when his contract is up. I doubt they think he is worth as much as he thinks he is worth but there is no doubt in my mind he will end up there.

I wanna wait and see a little more what he does on his own now, but I feel like Wardlow is the guy they will want the most. MJF too though to be the next Miz.

I dunno if MJF will ever want to go to WWE for real.... he seems to want to "live the character" and I doubt WWE would want him to go around swearing and being a jerk to little girls at autograph signings and such....

I don't doubt that he would use possibly going to WWE to try to get more money out of AEW though

As young as he is I think MJF would def go over there for a few years to make some money, get some exposure, and learn what he can from some of the guys there. I think he would possibly move on after that though as I can see him not being happy there for the long term.

He could realistically go over there for 3 or 4 years, work with AJ/Edge/Orton/Miz just to name a few, develop a TON, and still be out before he's 30.

Oh God, the thought of a WWE-neutered MJF is depressing as shit.

Yeah, MJF in WWE would be tragic.

I think he’s in a strong position and “playing both sides”. He can go to WWE and get PAID, he can use WWE to get a better deal out of AEW, and he can play off the “pro WWE” talk as being in character.

That's exactly what I see happening...he will end up there at some point it is inevitable

WWE would give MJF way more exposure. When he goes there, I’m sure he will have failsafes in place to give himself the best chance of not being much else besides authentic MJF. They’ve broken that ground with Cody now. MJF will have it so he can be MJF.

If he signs for 5 years with them, he’ll be 32 when his deal is up. He’ll be one of the most famous wrestlers in the world and will have all sorts of opportunities lined up. Or he can just stay in AEW forever making fun of Sammy Guevara or whoever.

Feel like that needs to come with an *. We’re a week into Cody being back in WWE, a guy that started his career there and comes with all the ties through Dusty. Still a long way to go and lots of room to fumble the ball. MJF is a hot property but there’s no such thing as a “sure thing” in WWE.

Yeah, WWE is really good at creating failsafes to ensure things that got over elsewhere stay just as cool under their watch. What was I thinking.

Sure. It is very early. But they’ve crossed some MASSIVE lines to do the effective thing. Conversely, there’s a ceiling on everything you do in AEW. He can’t be a sure thing there.

I'm just disappointed he can't get his "revenge" on Samoa Joe.


I can just taste that premium grade sarcasm. And agree with it.


My opinion on Cody, MJF, and anything going foward in WWE can be pretty well summed up in the same sentiment: it all really depends on Vince.

Cody's ceiling is as high as they deem it to be. If he's going to be booked as the guy who eventually dethrones Roman, and I mean really booked with a laser focus that way, they will beat any horse to death to make that happen. At the same time, if he's going to be treated similarly to the idea of being "punished" or "ribbed" like Dusty was, they're going to do that. Cody's downfall in AEW - for all the talents that he has - was him disappearing up his own ass, and THAT is one thing WWE will put some limiters on. Outisde of that, if the WWE is going to treat him like a star without the literal one in facepaint, or try to make an example out of him for their own egos to show up competition they act like they don't even acknoledge is all on the company. Remember, its not like it is above them to fuck with entire careers just to be petty.

With MJF, his upsides are amazing: he's young, fantastically talented on the stick, and very good in the ring. But, because it's WWE, his downside is his size. It's something that WWE can get fixated on to a fault: see how they tried to shaft Danielson, how they continute to clown Chad Gable, gave Pete Dunne a complete makeover, etc. The only person who seemed to avoid this trap has been Finn Balor, and even he disappeared into the midcard in a sea of plenty of other people larger than him who also disappeared into the midcard. And I don't count Ricochet, because he is there to fill a niche in the relentless quest of the company to "create" another Rey Mysterio through sheer marketing.

As deserving and capable as he is, there is only a minute chance that he'd ever become a World Champion. Especially in Vince's lifetime. I just keep hearing [imperonation of Vince McMahon voice] "... but he's just so TINYYYYYY!!" which would make him either try to make him a manager for some homegrown immoble meathead he could wrestle circles around given the chance, clown him up into a total comedy gimmick chasing the 24/7 title or whatever incarnation of the Cruiserweight belt they may or may not still have kicking around in NXT, or give him the Hade Vansen treatment so we can all cry about what could have been.

MJF is not Cody.

Cody fits right in with WWE because he never really stopped being a WWE guy. Thats why he stood out amongst the indyriffic people he worked with. MJF could not get away with half the stuff he does in AEW, if he were in the WWE.

You don't have to wonder what he'd be like if he went there, as we've already got that. Hes called The Miz.

It's a pretty big blow to AEW and Tony Khan.

You can tell by how delicately Tony Khan is managing the narrative that this hurts him.

That in itself is probably worth it to Vince.

Then if now Vince makes a Main Event star out of Cody Rhodes then WHAT do you think guys like MJF, Darby Allin, Jungle Boy, Orange Cassidy & Private Party.... the REAL future stars of wrestling are going to think? Guys who have been somewhat pushed out by the recent and ridiculous influx of all the ex-WWE talent acquires?

The future is not Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson, CM Punk or Jeff Hardy.

They're all fucking great but they are not the future 5-10 years from now.

That is Vince McMahon's play.

AEW needs to start pulling the trigger on guys like MJF, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy or the WWE will use that leverage when their contracts are up.

The only homegrown talent they have pulled the trigger on is Hangman Adam Page and to be frank, I think they've dropped the ball on that BIG TIME. The AEW title is now secondary to whatever ex-WWE superstar signs with AEW this week. Just lost in the shuffle.

We’ll see. I disagree with that assessment. They brought Cody back with his independent/AEW presentation for a reason. They want talent to stop leaving their promotion, and they want the guys worth having to jump. They are going to be pretty good to anyone they decide to hire. That’s my prediction though. Maybe I am wrong and LolWWE.

Cody was smart to return to WWE.

I don't think AEW will survive another five years under the unstable and manic leadership of Tony Khan.

I think the next TV deal negotiations will be interesting.

I think you can cut it either way. I also think we are all mostly in agreement with what would be the sensible route to take, we differ on “benefit of the doubt”.

Personally, I can’t move past “I can’t trust WWE to get it right” due to the overwhelming evidence that supports it, whereas I think you’re more inclined to give them the benefit.

I think Cody’s current presentation works for WWE for the very reason you state, but I’d wager some (maybe all?) of that is what Cody wants and most likely has in his contract. Will they want to continue to licence his theme in 3-6 months time? Maybe that’s part of his deal but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that change. I think if Vince had it his way he’d want to put his fingerprints all over Cody, in the same vein as all the needless name changes we’ve had for NXT call ups.

It’s fine - preferable even - if I’m wrong on this.

Oh yeah, I agree with that. I totally get not giving them benefit, but even though the Cody thing is new and fresh, it’s been done to such a degree that the WWE doesn’t normally do things that I think it does reveal something.

But hey, you’ve got the smarter game, because if you’re surprised at least it will be pleasantly.

When it comes to MJF: By the time his deal comes up, we’ll have a much better idea of how things are going with Cody. Maybe with Ambrose and Omega too. Jericho and The Bucks could be there too. There will be more on the table, unless he can get out of his deal sooner.

Oh definitely, but I do tend to live my life that way; expect the worst, hope for the best.

I will say, I’m excited to watch Raw tomorrow morning to see what’s next for Cody, what they have for Edge’s new deal, what’s next for Owens (Ezekiel?), what’s next for Seth, how (WrestleMania) Backlash starts to shape up.

Shame that I’ll be watching illegally and not counting for anything, but still.

I think there is a major factor being ignored when talking about Cody paving the way for other AEW people to join WWE, and that is that Cody already was a WWE guy. Maybe him going back might show Jericho or Moxley that it might work out going back, but I don't know if it is going to influence/encourage the people who do not have a WWE background.

If somebody like MJF goes to WWE, that would be much more relevant for the AEW Wrestler who might be considering trying to make the move.

Vince was against bringing in Impact wrestlers for years. I don't see him having much interest in many AEW originals unless they are younger like MJF.

I mean I didn’t go into as I thought the mention alone was implicit enough not to have to.

Yeah, I was agreeing with your point. Not everything needs to be contentious.

Wait. Since when?

The WWE background thing is a cogent point, but I don’t think it’s actually going to be that big a deal for guys if they “qualify” for WWE. They’re also going to have Cody vouching for or against people and their work/attitudes, etc. AJ Styles came in as virtually the perfect package for them.

The biggest shocker is that Cody didn’t go back to a WWE presentation, or a new version of such. They trusted whatever decision-making process has gone into him fashioning himself. And sure, that will be a case-by-case basis. A guy might return to their WWE name or presentation if it makes more sense to do it that way (or they have no faith in the outside WWE presentation). But it’s very easy for me to imagine WWE seeing value in a guy who can talk as naturally as MJF, to the point where they could certainly give him carte blanche to talk about the things they want him to talk about the way he wants to (in a PG context — which isn’t as damaging to him as people are going to make out).!

Can already imagine the promo on The Miz now:

“People see a lot of similarities between us. I don’t think we could be more different, bud. I’m not from some fat, dumpy part of the mid-west. I didn’t run to Hollywood — because I can actually cut it in New York. And I didn’t marry the first 10 that ever touched me. That’s right, honey (turning his attention towards Maryse) — you used to be a 10.”

If he’s planning to release albums or whatever, or he wants to do some sort of talk show, etc. — he can negotiate that into his contract to keep the investment in him up by being more than just a lippy wrestler. Hell, he’ll also have Cody there vouching for him, and apparently Cody’s found a way to grab some rope. He’ll advocate for bringing him in and doing it their way so that his first program out the door is with Cody, who knows how to work with him, will let him carry his end of the talking, etc.

It’s starting to make sense why Cody and MJF only did the one match before moving off and doing other things, never to really cross paths again. They might be saving it.

Wait, so Cody and MJF had a match!?! Because I was under the impression that…

The bots are glitching badly.

But even then, AJ had to "scrub" himself clean of TNA by bathing in a ROH return and relatively short NJPW stint. Even though he's the exact same talent he would have been, those moves made him seem like a bigger deal in the eyes of WWE. If he would have just tried to jump from TNA to WWE, he would have most likely either been ushered into developmental, or told to pound sand. He wouldn't have gotten a surprise Royal Rumble entry and instant main roster spot. Especially at a time where they were still pretending TNA didn't exist. Instead of saying "a hot talent from Japan" and surprisingly acknoledging he was a former IWGP World Champion (same later with Finn Balor), they would have pretended he was just some newcomer who just started wrestling yesterday and pushed him into the WWE Random Name Generator in spite of him being AJ Styles since back when WCW existed and he was tagging with Air Paris.

I think AJ’s overall experience helped him, but I don’t think he needed to “scrub” off TNA. What helped him most was being able to deliver in the spot.