A full recap of the AEW Cody Rhodes Media Call for Homecoming, Amy Nemmity from WrestleJoy is on the call, and here is her recap.
Cody begins by reflecting on the last year with AEW, is very excited to return to Jacksonville for #AEWDynamite. Says he won't be commenting on rumors and speculation.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody says that they wanted to jump on Malakai Black as soon as they realized he was available. Says Tony Khan brought him in, acknowledging that they were able to bring something very special to Dynamite, talks about celebrity reactions to this match.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Q Louis Dangoor#AEWDynamite
Cody praises this match happening on Homecoming, not having to wait for PPVs. Loves that they get to have high caliber matches on TV. #AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on Malakai Black being influendced by Jake Roberts:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Everyone who has a layer of mystique has a little bit of Jake Roberts in them. He was SO good at translating a story & presenting himself differently. Is happy to hear of that connection.#AEWDynamite
Q Stephanie Francone
Cody talks about how incredible it is to have these legends in the locker room, sharing their expertise, that they jumped on board to come to a startup wrestling company. Praises them all in what they offer to younger generations. #AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody talks about coaching developmental wrestlers, right along with Jake Roberts, before they go up to Call Time. Highlights Brock Anderson and Lee Johnson as people they lend time to right now. #AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody talks about how thrilled he is to be a father to Liberty Iris, she looks so much like her mother, he's so excited to share the world with her, talks about the squeaky noises she makes as she gets older. Super sweet.#AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on talent acquisition and the roster as it stands:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
If there's a free agent that can move the needle and be something significant, I personally think you have to go after them. It can change the landscape, but it's business.
Q seascoops#AEWDynamite
Cody says there is a lot of room in AEW with Dynamite, Rampage, Dark, Elevation. As an EVP, the more the merrier. It's fulfilling for him personally to know that 3 years ago, not a lot of people believed in the Revolution. We set the table, now people can eat.#AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
#AEWDynamite Cody says there's a healthy touring schedule with east and west coast, and the UK, but the Delta variant has things in state of monitoring. Hopes they can make it there for the best fans in the world.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Q Stephanie Chase
Cody on Jericho/Gage
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
They were very clear on what they were going to do. It was advertised as a Death Match, and it was. Cody says he heavily considered a death match with Matt Tremont.
Does it have a place on TV?
Well, we were the #1 show on cable#AEWDynamite
Q @BR_Doctor
Cody says deathmatches won't be seen often, but is a part of the general wrestling buffet. Some wrestlers are more clean cut, more family friendly, kid friendly, and people who are into harder matches. Loved the main event. #AEWdynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on how Rampage will set itself apart from Dynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Says news will be out this week, but the show will be centered around the FIGHT, Mark Henry will be on commentary-
The canvas with the logo in the center will be returning for Rampage#AEWDynamite
Q Jim Varsallone
Cody talks about AEW Community, Mark Henry and Thunder Rosa and how proud he is to be able to give back to the communities they travel to, and is very proud of the work they've done. #AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on his goals in wrestling:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
First he just wanted to take his title that is dad had. Then, to be with The Elite, and along with them, Jericho, TK, etc., making such a big burst of life in the wrestling world. Credits the TEAM for bringing this to life.#AEWdynamite
Cody tears up, before all is said and done, I'd like my daughter to know that I NEVER GAVE UP. In an industry that can chew you up and spit you out, I never gave up. I carved my own path. I had the best dad in the world, I just want to be that for her. #AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on AEW Community, says that Paul Wight, Mark Henry, were all a part of community outreach. I've been banging on Cody's door wanting to do this. Politics aside, you can have a huge positive impact on someone's life.#AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on AEW Community Thunder Rosa with her social work experience, Shawn Dean with his military contacts… they're open to everyone and everything. Really wants to DO GOOD for communities.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Bussing in 600 children to AEW Homecoming tomorrow as well. #AEWDynamite
Cody says that EVERY town they go to, he can ask about what they can do. Lance Archer and Jon Moxley, many in the roster make suggestions, and they get to be involved in this charitable work.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
There's nothing like the power of wrestling. Let it be a force of good.#AEWDynamite
Cody on Bray Wyatt
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
The Wyatt Family and Rhodes family go way back, in NXT, etc.. He's an incredibly creative man, and when I see someone like that, I think back to how it felt to move on to a different place. He's a special talent.#AEWDynamite
Q Nick Hausman
Cody on the sold out United Center:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
For TK, it was a childhood dream to run the United Center. It's WILD that it became an instant sell out.
Says CHICAGO will always be a destination for AEW.
Is excited to work United Center, it'll be a new vibe#AEWDynamite
Q Connor Casey
Cody talks about the NOW Arena being special to him with the plaque with his face on it on the building.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Says CHICAGO is a home for them, regardless of arena. Is really excited to run UC, and that their younger wrestlers get to experience this. #AEWDynamite
Cody coaches 1-2 matches a night when he's at AEW. He likes to retroactively give notes & ask goals. Legends and luminaries give advice and feedback consistently on nearly every show.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Says Dustin Rhodes coaches the women every week, and they work HARD.#AEWDynamite
If you can get people to listen to you, to love you or hate you.. if you can build that connection where people are talking about you, that's a brilliant place to be with promos. You HAVE to be involved in your matches.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
-Cody#AEWdynamite
On Malakai Black vs Cody being Good vs Evil
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
I hear how the crowds are currently reacting. I'm not gonna go against that wave. Is happy for Black, but won't sacrifice who I am as a wrestler. No knee jerk heel turn. There's not a heel bone left in my body. #AEWDynamite
Q Izzy
Cody says he loves the fans in Jacksonville, and is really proud of bringing a match of this caliber back home to Daily's Place.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Tomorrow's a huge day for him and for AEW. #AEWDynamite
Cody says "I'm a Luke guy. I'm sure there will be some Darth guys in the crowd, and that's great. You do what you want to do. I have to stay true to who I am and I look forward to doing just that."#AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on the success in Chicago, bigger arenas in the future
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Says it's a personal goal to run stadium shows, like Arthur Ashe, and they're definitely at a point where they can talk about it. No plans yet, but a Woodstock of Wrestling would be 🔥
Q Sean Ross Sapp#AEWDynamite
Says Miller Park would be great for him personally, he'd love to run there someday.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
Cody on COVID protocols and Delta variants:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
We're always gonna go off state mandates. Health & safety is highest priority. Heavily encourage mask wearing, even without mandates.
Cody says GET VACCINATED PLEASE. This affects infants, elderly, everyone.#AEWDynamite
Q @JonAlba
Cody says that they receive daily updates on COVID protocols, updates on Delta, and CDC Guidelines. This has always been a concern for them, and will continue to be.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
No plans to change for All Out, will defer to state guidelines#AEWDynamite
Q @JonAlba
Cody on keeping the momentum of the last few weeks
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021
What's the most important part of keeping that momentum is keeping the focus on BUILDING NEW STARS. When people say it's impossible, he points to Darby Allin, how kids wear his shirts, etc.#AEWDynamite
Q Over the Top Rope
Cody loves Dark and Elevation because you get to see the process of development, the mistakes, the growth, the learning, and the bright light that these future stars can shine with. #AEWDynamite
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) August 3, 2021