10 Most Over-HATED Wrestlers In The World Right Now

5. Cody Rhodes

Already a divisive figure in AEW (thanks to his chaotic booking patterns, WWE potshots, and more), Cody Rhodes' public scrutiny has become even more intense in the wake of his jump back to Vince McMahon's promotion.

Leaving AEW in February 2022 and returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38, Rhodes jumping ship has inspired visceral, emotional responses in those who feel left behind, betrayed, and upset by 'The American Nightmare' leaving a company he'd helped birth in the first place. Routinely referred to as a "hypocrite" and worse, Cody has dented his reputation amongst many of those who believed in him and AEW the most.

This is somewhat understandable. In the past, Rhodes had explicitly stated he wouldn't go back to WWE, whom he had never been shy of criticising, even on air. Cody once smashed Triple H's throne during a ring entrance. He loved AEW and the AEW fans, he said, and spilt pints of blood for the company during his time there.

But Cody Rhodes is a professional wrestler - and this is what professional wrestlers do.

Workers are always working. Perhaps when Cody vowed to never go back to WWE, he truly meant it. Either way, his circumstances changed, he made a business decision, and after rallying the AEW base with promises he didn't live up to in the end, he has moved on to pastures new. Expect him to say similar things about WWE now that he is back under Vince McMahon's arm.

It's what workers do.

Work.