10 Exact Moments 2022 Changed Wrestling Forever

Another AEW-to-WWE defection that seemingly altered the landscape forever in early 2022, Cody Rhodes' jaw-dropping decision to not re-sign with the company he helped create has likely changed the way All Elite stars view a run in the world of Sports Entertainment going forward.

Before The American Nightmare rocked up at WrestleMania 38, produced one of the loudest pops in the event's history, and was subsequently presented like a bona fide star during his wars with Seth Rollins, it largely felt as though WWE wouldn't waste any opportunity to bury a performer arriving from a one-time rival.

But Vince McMahon definitely felt there was money to be made in pushing the returning Rhodes to the moon, and despite being cut down so soon into his comeback run, the early signs pointed to the grass sometimes actually being greener away from the hottest company in town.

And it's this entirely unexpected development and the way Cody has been protected post-AEW split that has provided Tony Khan and the gang with an almighty headache.

The idea of MJF kissing goodbye to AEW during the bidding war of 2024 once seemed like little more than a way to generate cheap heat. Post-American-Roller-Codester ride, though? It could become a painful reality for WWE's biggest rival...