10 Secret AEW Storyline Details Hiding In Plain Sight

8. Cody's Literal Exit Interview

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AEW

Stretching the premise slightly, this wasn't a storyline detail; this was Cody Rhodes conducting an exit interview with himself.

It was however loaded with intriguing details lurking, yes, in plain sight. Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp had reported that Cody was working in AEW without a contract, but most thought little of the news because it was so inconceivable that a founding AEW EVP, who had slung rather a lot of sh*t in WWE's direction, would actually return to WWE.

Re-watching the promo is fascinating, equipped with the knowledge that he actually did.

He revealed that he had received a contract from Tony Khan, but not the one he wanted. It was a contract for a TNT Title rematch with Sammy Guevara, and not a new multi-year extension on lucrative terms.

The most fascinating retrospective wrinkle is in his strange insistence on bringing up CM Punk's infamous 'Pipebomb' promo. "Someone told me to save this promo, but I honestly don't know if I'll get the chance," Cody said. "Honestly" was right; he never did, and the content was fascinating.

The opening shot in a feud that never happened, Cody took credit for doing that which Punk wanted but never could: dramatically changing the industry for the better.

The more conspiratorial among us might think that Cody, struggling against crowd sentiment, was all but saying that the adulation extended to Punk was owed to him.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!