MJF discusses Cody Rhodes' departure from AEW.
The friendship between the two stars is well-established, as Rhodes is often credited for bringing MJF to AEW when the company was starting out. "The Salt of the Earth" was initially paired with Rhodes as an ally, but they were later locked in a heated rivalry. "The American Nightmare" left the company earlier this year and went on to sign with WWE.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, MJF discussed Rhodes' exit. First, he noted that there's plenty of tribalism in the wrestling world and pointed out that plenty of greats, such as Terry Funk, didn't stay in one place for the duration of his career. He made it clear that he understands Rhodes' decision to do what was best for himself.
"A lot of people are very into tribalism these days in the world of professional wrestling. It’s cute. I dig it. It’s the same as having a favorite MMA star or favorite football team or baseball team. If you look historically at our industry....Terry Funk, massive, major star in professional wrestling. Did Terry Funk only wrestle for one company for the entirety of his career? No, he was traveling. He would go to a territory, pop the territory huge, and when he felt it was time to hang his hat there, he went on to the next one. He did that multiple times throughout his career. He wrestled for pretty much every premiere wrestling promotion in the world. Terry Funk, like me, was a massive draw. I do not blame Cody Rhodes for his decision. Cody Rhodes did what was best for Cody Rhodes. MJF does what is best for MJF," he said.
When asked, MJF stated that the locker room didn't cheer when Rhodes left, but they did see it as an opportunity to step up. He noted that wrestling is a wheel; when big stars depart, others have the chance to capitalize.
"Not favorably in the sense, ‘Yay! Cody is gone.’ Favorably in the sense that, we’re all professional wrestlers and what happens when somebody leaves is, it opens room for opportunity for another person to step up to the plate. That’s wrestling. It’s cyclical, it’s a wheel. As someone who has the highest wrestling IQ in the history of the business, I can tell you, when big names leaves, big names step up. That’s just how this business work. People who were friends with Cody were sad to see him go on a personal level, but this is a competitive sport. People want that spotlight and people stepped up to the plate," MJF said.
Helwani later brought up the way Rhodes famously wrestled through a torn pectoral muscle at WWE Hell in a Cell. MJF called Rhodes' performance grave, and when asked, he made it clear that he would have handled the situation differently.
"Incredibly brave. Absolutely not. Here’s what would happen. I would ask for my money. I’d go into the ring, then I’d lay down on my back. Technically, I competed," MJF said.
In the same interview, MJF discussed his absence from the company and his subsequent return. You can check out his comments here.
MJF recently referenced Rhodes in a promo on AEW Dynamite. You can see what he had to say by clicking here.
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