Report: AEW EVPs Believed To Have Been On Best Terms For A Long Time Prior To Cody Rhodes Departure

Upon the founding of All Elite Wrestling in January 2019, Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega were given positions as Executive Vice Presidents in the promotion working under AEW President Tony Khan.

While they started AEW as friends, reports of infighting between the EVPs emerged in early 2021 to the point where Cody Rhodes was no longer on speaking terms with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. Rhodes denied the rumours but there was believed to have been tension between the four men.

Those tensions dissipated prior to Cody Rhodes' AEW departure, though, according to PWTorch and everything backstage had been calm for some time. The four EVPs were even said to be "getting along well lately."

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter echoed similar sentiments, noting "the EVPs were getting along the best they have in a long time" and had been working on projects for the future as recently as last week. Meltzer also stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that Cody had a more business-like relationship with the other three EVPs while The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega are genuinely best friends.

That business relationship came to an end on Tuesday, February 15, though, as Cody departed AEW along with wife Brandi. The American Nightmare told the other EVPs that he was unhappy a couple of weeks ago, according to PWTorch, although they all thought he would still work out a deal with Tony Khan to remain with All Elite Wrestling.

A deal ultimately couldn't be reached, though, with differences over money and Cody's loss of booking power having been factors in the three-time TNT Champion's departure.

Instead of a future in AEW, Rhodes will return to WWE. He previously performed in Vince McMahon's company from 2006 until 2016.