Cody Rhodes

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cody Rhodes entered professional wrestling not just as a competitor, but as an architect of the modern independent movement. Following his departure from WWE in 2016, he wrestled on the independent circuit and for major promotions like New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and Ring of Honor (ROH) under the mononym Cody. During this era, he won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship after winning it at All In in 2018. That event marked a historic turning point, becoming the first show promoted outside of WWE or WCW to sell 10,000 tickets in the US since 1993. This success directly catalyzed the formation of AEW in early 2019. As an executive vice president, Rhodes helped steer the company's creative direction while competing on its main roster, establishing a culture that prioritized athletic credibility and high-stakes storytelling.

In Their Own Story

The lights dimmed at Full Gear 2019 as Cody Rhodes stood opposite Kenny Omega in a match that would define AEW's first year. This was not merely a contest for supremacy; it was the culmination of a vision Rhodes helped build from the ground up alongside Tony Khan and other executives. The crowd roared as he executed his signature maneuvers, blending the technical precision learned during his time with Al Snow and Ricky Morton with the charisma inherited from his father, Dusty Rhodes. Although he eventually lost the match to Omega, the bout solidified AEW's reputation for delivering world-class wrestling immediately upon launch. Mike Tyson personally presented him with the belt, a moment that cemented his status as the face of the new promotion during its critical growth phase.

Reader's Guide

Cody Rhodes' journey through All Elite Wrestling began in early 2019 when he co-founded the company and served as an executive vice president. He adopted the mononym Cody during this period, having previously held championships in ROH, NJPW, and NWA. This victory established a new tier of competition within the promotion, designed specifically for their television partnership with WarnerMedia. His tenure as champion was interrupted by legal disputes that forced him to revert to using his full name, Cody Rhodes. His departure from AEW was finalized in early 2022, paving the way for his return to WWE later that April.

Did You Know?

• Cody Rhodes co-founded AEW and served as an executive vice president from 2019 until his departure in early 2022.
• He won the inaugural AEW TNT Championship on the May 23, 2020 episode of Dynamite, with former boxing legend Mike Tyson presenting him with the belt.
• Before forming AEW, Rhodes promoted 'All In' in 2018, which became the first non-WWE/WCW event to sell 10,000 tickets in the US since 1993.
• He is a two-time AEW TNT Champion during his tenure with the company.
• Rhodes legally changed his surname to 'Runnels Rhodes' as a teenager before eventually dropping it for the mononym Cody during his independent run.

Origins and Inaugural Tournament

In September 2019, shortly before All Elite Wrestling launched its flagship program, Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes hinted at a future television championship while prioritizing existing titles. By early 2020, amidst speculation about a secondary belt, the promotion officially announced an eight-man single-elimination tournament on March 30 via their YouTube series. The competition commenced in April with the final slated for the Double or Nothing pay-per-view. This victory established a new tier within the company's hierarchy, fulfilling the vision of a dedicated television title requested by WarnerMedia for their TNT network partnership.

Reigns and Championship Evolution

Cody Rhodes' tenure as champion was defined by an aggressive 'open challenge' policy, where he defended the title nearly weekly against various opponents, including independent wrestlers. During his second reign in late 2020, a legal dispute with WWE forced him to lengthen his ring name from simply 'Cody' to 'Cody Rhodes.' His third title victory came on Christmas Day 2021 against Sammy Guevara at a Rampage special, setting up a rematch for the Battle of the Belts event. However, Rhodes missed that scheduled defense due to COVID-19 quarantine protocols, leading to an interim champion scenario where his brother Dustin faced Guevara. The situation culminated in January 2022 when Guevara defeated Rhodes in a ladder match on Dynamite to become the undisputed champion.

Tribute to Brodie Lee

The history of the TNT Championship is deeply intertwined with the tragic death of its second holder, Huber, known professionally as Mr. Brodie Lee. Following his unexpected passing in late December 2020, AEW honored him by retiring the specific red-strap belt design he had used during his reign.

Brand Identity and Status

Named after the TNT network following a direct request from WarnerMedia, this championship was designed to anchor AEW's television presence on that specific channel. Even as programming schedules shifted with Dynamite moving to TBS in early 2022, the title retained its original name rather than being rebranded; instead, a separate women's TBS Championship was created. Company President Tony Khan has consistently rejected the notion of this belt being a 'mid-card' or secondary title, insisting it is a top-tier championship held by stars. Despite this internal stance, the title experienced rapid turnover between 2022 and 2023, earning the nickname 'hot potato' from journalists due to its frequent changes in hands.