5 times former AEW star Cody Rhodes fired shots at WWE and its superstars

Cody Rhodes announced his departure from AEW earlier today and there are now rumors that suggest he could be heading back to WWE.

The former Intercontinental Champion initially left Vince McMahon's promotion back in 2016 and it was his passion and desire that led to the formation of AEW in 2019. Rhodes has been one of the biggest stars in the company and alongside his wife Brandi was considered to be the power couple of AEW.

During his time in AEW, Rhodes took several shots at his former company and many believed he would never return. The following are just a handful of some of the most interesting shots that Rhodes has fired at WWE and their roster in recent years.

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#5. Cody Rhodes fires a shot at WWE by destroying a throne - Double or Nothing 2019

Cody Rhodes and AEW put their names on the map at Double or Nothing in 2019 and Rhodes made sure he drew first blood.

After Triple H referred to Tony Khan's promotion as a "Pissant company" during the 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony, several stars decided to respond following the comments, including the American Nightmare.

Rhodes' entrance en route to his match against his brother Dustin Rhodes saw him walk to the ring, be handed a sledgehammer by his wife Brandi, and then go on to blow up a throne.

Triple H is someone has become known for holding a sledgehammer and sitting upon a throne as The King of Kings in WWE, so this was a clear shot at The Game.

Whilst speaking to Chad Dukes on 106.7 back in 2019, Rhodes confirmed his reasons for the stunt.

"The decision to blow up the throne was my decision alone and doesn't reflect on AEW at all. It was something I had thought long and hard about, and I, honestly, think it came from more of a personal standpoint than the company firing that first shot. And that's gonna be something that, I don't know how many more of those I get in me, because as I become more ingrained in the AEW business side, as an employee and as one of the executive vice presidents, I don't get as many, 'Oh, well he's just a dumb talent doing dumb things" - (H/T ComicBook)

This was the first in a long line of shots that Cody Rhodes took at WWE on AEW TV throughout his time in the company.

#4. Cody Rhodes calls out WWE for their booking of Fandango

Fandango was released from WWE back in 2021 which came as quite the surprise to the WWE Universe since he was once considered to be the next big thing.

Fandango and Rhodes crossed paths during their time in the company and the former star had a number of thoughts regarding his release.

Whilst speaking to Brandon Walker on the Rasslin Podcast last month, Rhodes slammed WWE for their botched booking of Fandango.

"I mean no disrespect to this person but do you remember Fandango? Everyone in the crowd was going nuts for Fandango. It was insane but somewhere along the line it fell back into humor and it fell back into an ironic wrestler." said Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes himself was a victim of the creative team during his time in the company which led to him wrestling as Stardust for several months. Cody is one of several stars who know first hand about the process in WWE, which is why he was able to comment on it publicly.

#3. Cody Rhodes takes a shot at WWE with his Ellis Island promo

When AEW was still brand new back in 2019, Cody Rhodes was able to make quite the name for himself. While cutting one of the best and easily most emotional promos of his career, Rhodes went on to fire shots at Chris Jericho ahead of their match at Full Gear along with his former employers.

Whilst cutting the promo, the former WWE Superstar described AEW as Ellis Island for pro wrestlers where they can experience freedom, which was considered to be a shot at WWE and the lack of freedom that the company allows its superstars.

It's also worth noting that from 1892 until 1924, Ellis Island was America's largest and most active immigration station, with more than 12 million immigrants being processed through the island at the time.

It's likely that this is the reason why Rhodes chose Ellis Island as the location in his metaphor for AEW, considering what the company has been able to become in such a short amount of time.

#2. Cody Rhodes takes a shot at Roman Reigns failing his drug test

Cody Rhodes has always been an outspoken star and after leaving WWE back in 2016 it appeared that he had quite the ax to grind.

One star who was coming through the ranks in WWE at the time was Roman Reigns. Following the former Shield member's suspension for violating the company's Wellness Policy, he became quite the target.

In a since-deleted Tweet, Rhodes responded to Roman Reigns' violation after the current Universal Champion fired shots at him regarding his time in the business since his WWE departure.

“I thought that tactical vest was just covering up a failed drug test, but it was covering up envy.”

Both men have since taken shots at each other several times over the years, with Reigns taking several shots at AEW as the main face of WWE.

The company has changed since Rhodes's departure more than six years ago and if the former champion is set to make his return, it may be to a place he no longer recognizes.

#1. Cody Rhodes takes a shot at WWE changing Gunther's name on NXT

Several of the biggest prospects in the business have come through WWE over the past few years, including WALTER. The Austrian star became the latest in a long line of stars to have his name changed by the company earlier this year.

Whilst the WWE Universe erupted on Twitter after it was confirmed that WALTER would now be called Gunther, former star Cody Rhodes also decided to share his thoughts on AEW Dynamite.

Rhodes cut a promo about several former superstars and noted that the likes of Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly had come from developmental, whilst also noting that AEW is not in the business of changing people's names and referring to Gunther as "Gunther McGillicutty."

Rhodes obviously knows from experience how hard it is to reclaim a name from WWE, having fought with the company for several years for the rights to use the name Rhodes, something that he was finally able to take back a few years ago.