Cody Rhodes left AEW to return to WWE in March 2022 to rise to the top of the company and win the World Championship that eluded his legendary father. Or at least that was the plan.
The American Nightmare rode into WrestleMania on a wave of emotion and goodwill from fans around the world. On his way to the ring, the star stopped to kiss his wife and offer a cuddle to his young daughter, while Brodie Jr, the son of the late Brodie Lee, watched on from the front row.
Cody Rhodes pledged to end his story, but he surely wouldn’t have wanted it to come to this.
In the ring, Rhodes battled not only Roman Reigns, but Solo Sikoa, the wily Paul Heyman, and The Usos in a frantic final stanza. But despite his best efforts, in the end, it was Reigns who stood tall, while the stunned crowd watched on.
As fans tried to process what they’d just witnessed, a number of AEW stars including Sammy Guevara, Dustin Rhodes, and Powerhouse Hobbs took to social media to share their reactions. While Amanda Huber, Brodie Lee’s widow, said that Rhodes losing was the “wrong call.”
😐
— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) April 3, 2023
Wtf
— Samuel Guevara (@sammyguevara) April 3, 2023
Wowwwwwww
— “The MONSTAR” PowerHouse Hobbs (@TrueWillieHobbs) April 3, 2023
That was the wrong call.
— Amanda (@MandaLHuber) April 3, 2023
Cody Rhodes’ Defeat Planned “Several Weeks Ago”
In aftermath of Roman Reigns’ win, it has been reported that the decision to have him emerge victorious was taken “several” weeks ago. The same reports also stated that WWE sources denied Vince McMahon was involved in the decision-making process.