'Heavy Disagreements' - WWE Champion Cody Rhodes Old Comments on Chris Jericho Resurface

Rhodes and Jericho were locked in a feud in early 2019 that boiled over when the latter started using Cody's father, Dusty, in promos. There was a blurring of the lines between kayfabe and reality which AEW bled into in their world title rivalry.

The former AEW executive vice-president took time to praise Jericho's acquisition after he became the inaugural AEW World Champion. He told The New York Post back in March 2019:

"Chris Jericho is always gonna be the same. There is a reason he's closed out a WrestleMania. He's very, very, very involved and he's very smart and very fair."

Rhodes added that the pair have disagreements which came to a head on-screen in AEW:

"I think heavy, heavy, heavy disagreements with me and Chris Jericho. I have a ton of respect for him, but we disagree on a great deal. But him coming to AEW is a huge endorsement, massive. This guy, I grew up watching him."

He continued by alluding to Jericho's popularity, especially from his WWE days:

"He's not wrong when he says he's the bridge between the fans we have and the fans we don't and I'm glad to have him [Jericho]. He's kind of a d**k, but I'm glad to have him."

Rhodes left AEW in February 2022 when his contract expired and he returned to WWE two months later at WrestleMania 38. He has since become a two-time WWE Champion and main evented Mania twice.

Jericho's contract with AEW is up at the end of the year and reports suggest he will likely have offers from WWE, AEW and other global companies. A return to WWE could see him reunite with Rhodes and this could come as early as January when the Royal Rumble takes place.

"Dissapointed" - Jericho on Rhodes' AEW Exit and WWE Return

Jericho gave his thoughts on Rhodes returning to WWE in April 2022 and he made clear he wasn't happy to see the AEW co-founder head back to the biggest pro wrestling promotion. He said on Busted Open Radio that same month:

"I was honestly disappointed that he left. But, I get it. I've done it many times myself. You know this, we've discussed the reinvention of Jericho many times. I mean, I left WWE in 2017 for basically the same reason why Cody left AEW, from what I understand. He just didn't think he was getting the – I don't know if it's the spotlight or the respect or whatever the word being, but you could kind of see the writing on the walls."

Jericho wasn't a mainstay in WWE before joining AEW as he too, took time away from the promotion, especially to front his rock band Fozzy. But he continuously reinvented himself, coming up with new gimmicks and stories while becoming a six-time WWE world champion.

He added:

"Obviously now, Cody is as bigger than he's ever been just by changing companies. And obviously, they did a great job in putting him over at WrestleMania, bringing him in at the highest of levels, and now it's up to Cody to do the dirty work shall we say and continue that momentum and get that job done. And can he do it? Absolutely. He's a very smart guy. He's a great performer."

Jericho has yet to work in WWE under Triple H's creative control, which could be an enticing factor in a decision he makes once his current AEW deal is up. He has already suggested he is keen to revive his feud with Kevin Owens if he does return, but possibly revisiting his AEW drama with Rhodes could be just as compelling to see.