• Tony Khan Reacts To Cody Rhodes Feeling Disrespected In AEW
Before WWE SummerSlam 2025, Cody Rhodes appeared on The Bill Simmons podcast and said the following about his AEW departure:
“There’s clearly bad blood, but there’s also clearly respect and love. In the end, the way I see it is, if I felt disrespected ever at WWE, that’s one thing. That’s a company that was built… that’s the Yankees. That’s the flagship of it all. If I ever felt (at WWE) that I was a number on a sheet, maybe, but feeling disrespected at something I built with my friends. That we built. Feeling disrespected there, I wouldn’t stand for it.
Brandi and I both, I’m so blessed to have her. It was one of those where it was, f**k it. ‘I did way more here than you think, and you’re going to find out the moment I’m out the door.’ I don’t believe in the cold-hearted backstabbing type of revenge. The greatest revenge on Earth is success.
I felt like we were sitting on something wonderful. Something great. A huge, potentially, what I was doing with The American Nightmare, as a bad guy, as a good guy, something in between. We’re sitting on some magic. If I’m not going to do it in the house that I literally, with Matt, Nick, and Kenny built, then buddy, I’m going elsewhere.”
During an interview with Case Lowe of Q101, AEW President Tony Khan addressed Cody’s comments:
“He does a lot of interviews and I think when you have to say so many words so often…he works so hard, he has such a big schedule. To his credit, I bet he does hundreds of interviews a year.
I’m not sure I agree with that, but I also would give him the benefit of the doubt, I’ve heard him say a lot of positive things too. For somebody that doesn’t work here and that’s involved in a competitive promotion, he’s usually pretty gracious with the things that he says.
I’ve seen him since he’s been gone and it’s always been very positive and good. I have only good things to say about him and his contributions here.”
• Tessa Blanchard Gets Engaged To Fellow Wrestler (Photo)
Tessa Blanchard (daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard) and Esfinge have confirmed they are engaged. Blanchard revealed the news on social media, sharing photos from the proposal. She posted the images on Instagram along with a caption referring to her partner as someone who came into her life at the right time:
“A love that God put in my path.”
Blanchard is currently signed with TNA, while Esfinge wrestles for CMLL. The announcement came on January 1st, marking the start of the new year with the personal milestone for the pair.
