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AEW Dynamite: Cody Rhodes teases retirement after getting decimated by Malakai Black
Rhodes tried to leave his boots in the ring (Photo: AEW)
Cody Rhodes teased his retirement on AEW Dynamite this week – only to get laid out by Malaki Black.
The two stars faced off in the main event of Wednesday night’s Homecoming special, with the former NXT Champion effectively destroying Rhodes in a quick and relatively one sided bout.
In the end, Black Mass was enough to secure him the win in his first AEW match.
However, after the bell Cody made a passionate and emotional speech as he opened up on his decision to leave WWE three years ago.
He said people laughed when they heard what he and both Matt and Nick Jackson wanted to do with AEW, before hinting at his retirement.
He admitted to receiving offers for opportunities away from the company, and even suggested there had been some rows between the Executive Vice Presidents, which include himself, the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.
Cody said he would always love and be tethered to them, before symbolically starting to remove his wrestling boots – which has long been a tradition for retiring performers.
However, Black jumped back in the ring and picked up a crutch left by a ringside doctor.
He hit it over Rhodes’ back, leaving him lying on the mat as commentary speculated on his in-ring future.
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Of course, Cody is set to film the second series of Go Big Show, meaning he’ll likely be taking time off for now with his future hanging in the balance.
Whatever happens next, the former TNT Champion admitted in November 2020 that he already had an end date in mind for his in-ring career.
Opening up on his political aspirations, he said: ‘I’m 35, and I said I only wanted to wrestle for five more years. I would love to run for the Senate in the great state of Georgia. I want to help with the sphere of influence I have created.’
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