AJ Styles is calling out Cody Rhodes.
On January 17, Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported that Cody was a free agent and had been working without a contract since the end of 2021 when his deal expired.
Cody confirmed the report in a segment following the most recent episode of Dynamite, too.
"It's paradise, right? There are so many elephants in the room. This is an insane week in wrestling. People think that the Sean Ross story is BS, it's not. I'm working here without a contract. I'm not even on payroll anymore. I'm working here on a handshake deal. That is 100% legitimate, I swear on Pharaoh's life," he said.
Speaking with Wrestling INC. Daily, Styles commented on the news of Cody's handshake deal and said he doesn't see why he can't be at the Royal Rumble considering AEW allows their talent to work independent dates.
"I don’t know about that," Styles began by saying. "Cody, I am going to call you out man, I don’t know about that one. Because, you’re able to do independents while working for AEW, right? So what’s the difference?”
As for whether or not he'd like to see the former WWE Superstar in the Rumble, Styles said, “Of course. Who wouldn’t?”
One star who will be passing through the forbidden door tomorrow night is IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James. Styles, who performed for IMPACT from 2002 to 2014 commented on James' presence at the Rumble and how he feels seeing WWE do business with his former employer.
“I think it’s great, I really do. I think it’s exciting to see Mickie come back and who knows, is she going to wear her championship, I don’t know? But it’s cool that we are able to do that. If we can do more of that, that would be great, but I am afraid, and I could be wrong on this, that door may open one way, which is fine. This is a big step, if you think about it. I am looking forward to the women’s Royal Rumble because of it," Styles said.
AJ is set to compete in the Men's Royal Rumble match. The full card for the event can be seen here.
Fightful will have live coverage of the Royal Rumble on January 29 beginning at 7 p.m. ET with a post-show review immediately following its conclusion.
