Cody Rhodes Teases WWE Royal Rumble 2022 Appearance After AEW Loss

Cody Rhodes strengthened his position as the most chaotic worker in pro wrestling by loosely teasing a WWE Royal Rumble 2022 appearance after last night's episode of AEW Dynamite.

Rhodes wrestled Sammy Guevara in a TNT Championship unification bout on the show, losing the ladder match after being struck with the original and interim straps and falling all the way to the mat. A celebratory moment for Sammy, but not necessarily Cody, who spoke of this "insane week in wrestling" during his post-match interview.

Speaking on the recent Fightful report stating that Rhodes is currently a free agent following his AEW contract's expiration, the three-time TNT Champion claimed he wasn't even on the company's payroll anymore (h/t Cageside Seats):-

“There’s so many elephants in the room. This is an insane week in wrestling. People think that the Sean Ross [Sapp] story is bs — it’s not. I am working here without a contract. I’m not even on payroll any more. I’m working here on a handshake deal. That is 100% legitimate, I swear on Pharaoh’s life. if you want to know how serious things got."

Said "crazy week" is likely a reference to Saturday's Royal Rumble show. Rhodes was linked with a surprise appearance in WWE's signature over-the-top-rope battle royal as soon as Fightful's story broke, though the idea that a company executive currently involved in two separate television shows on AEW's home network would appear for Tony Khan's biggest competitor was always fanciful.

Continuing, Cody again teased the idea that his future is up in the air:-

“But I can tell you this. I have never felt more at home, then under those lights, wrestling for the TNT title. A title that will never, ever, ever be secondary because of matches like that. Old school promoters will tell you, the title could make the man or the man can make the title. At this moment we don’t know which is which. Very proud of Sammy Guevara. I absolutely wish I could go home to my baby girl, to my other — my family, and say, ‘Hey, the TNT champ once again.’ A belt that was synonymous with my name, doesn’t look like it’s gonna be just about me. Brodie, Miro, Darby, Sammy, myself. I’m slow when it comes to rematches, but maybe I won’t be so slow getting my rematch for this one."

He wrapped things up by talking, once again, about this "insane week" while reaffirming how at home he felt on last night's Dynamite:-

“For now, gonna take a beat, get with Arn — Arn’s been there for my whole career. I’mma think about it. Again, an insane week, where I have heard the most wonderful, crazy things from all walks of the wrestling world on what it is that I do next. But like I said, I’ve never felt more at home than wrestling for that title in front of a crowd like that.”

Expect the worker in Cody to keep milking this for as long as he possibly can.