5 most influential AEW stars of 2021

#4. Cody Rhodes has been a polarizing figure for AEW fans

Cody Rhodes has been in and out of the lineup in AEW due to outside projects. He focuses on his reality show and the Go Big Show when he's not wrestling. Rhodes could have had more going on in the ring but chose to balance those outside projects with a part-time routine. He also became a father recently, so his focus hasn't been 100% on in-ring action.

That changed with his "return" from hiatus. He battled Malakai Black and Andrade before announcing himself as the next challenger for Sammy Guevara and the TNT Championship on Christmas Day.

Giving yourself a title match is a sign of a heel performer. Some fans didn't like how he just announced himself as the next challenger. He is not even a part of the top-five rankings.

During most of 2021, AEW fans booed Cody heavily. It's precisely unknown why most fans booed him, but they did so nonetheless. It could be because he left for other projects. It could be because he usually puts himself over almost everyone in feuds.

He may have lost the first match but even against stars like Black and Andrade, Cody ended up winning the feud. Part of the reason for the boos could be his reluctance to accept a heel turn. Whatever the reason may be, the fact that fans boo Cody Rhodes when he's supposed to be a huge face in AEW is a sign of his influence.

If fans didn't care about a character or wrestler, they simply wouldn't react. When Cody comes out for a match, even against a heel, he is usually booed more than the heel. Some fans don't want to see an EVP go over other stars. Perhaps other fans simply don't enjoy Rhodes or his brand of pro wrestling.

Whichever way it is explained, however, Rhodes is a polarizing figure in AEW. The fact that so many people want him to turn is a sign of his influence on the brand.