AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes recently met with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi to discuss possible signings for AEW. Rhodes named two former WWE talents as great free agents.
“I think there are two free agents on a lot of people’s radar, who are Miro (Rusev) and Matt Cardona (Zack Ryder),” Rhodes said. “Obviously, those free agents should be on any radar. They’ve literally made money. They have television experience. They have high-profile experience. They have locker room experience. The professionals far outweigh the drawbacks.”
“Those are two great free agents. I’m not going to go so far as to say that if I had to sign someone, it would be both of them I would sign. But I think they are great free agents. I think if they have a passion for professional wrestling, they are going continue to be successful. “
While highlighting Miro and Cardona, Rhodes noted that Dynamite it’s just a two-hour show, and there are plenty of AEW roster members who haven’t gotten a full boost yet. He said that while the competition may be good, he wants things to be fair for everyone.
“Here’s the trick. We only have a two-hour show,” Rhodes noted. “And much of our list has yet to be fully realized or seen. I want to make sure I honor people like that. If you bring in a free agent, that means someone is going to lose a place. That’s just the reality of it. .
“In my cold, capitalist nature I don’t really care about that, because that makes everyone else step up their game. But you do want to do it fairly and responsibly. The best fighters, no matter where they come from, you’re going to want in your program. “
Rhodes was asked if Kurt Angle was also on AEW’s radar. Rhodes praised Angle and his matches outside of WWE and speculated on Angle’s passions outside of the fight, especially after his retirement after WrestleMania 35.
“Kurt is amazing. I had three games with Kurt when I left WWE,” said Rhodes. “That’s a very special fighter. However, I’m not sure if he wants to keep doing it. I look at someone like that and see what his interest is beyond just being a fighter. When you’re that multi-faceted. And you have an Olympic background, just I’d like to know where their passion levels are beyond the ring. “
Tessa Blanchard no longer has a contract with Impact Wrestling, and early reports indicated that WWE had an interest in signing Blanchard. Rhodes admitted that he is unfamiliar with the details on Blanchard’s current situation, and said those discussions are more for his wife and AEW Chief Brandi Brandi, AEW Executive Vice President Kenny Omega and AEW President and CEO Tony Khan.
“I don’t know much about the current situation with her and Impact,” Rhodes admitted. “Tully, her father, is at AEW. That’s more Kenny Omega, Brandi and Tony creating the growing and evolving women’s division. They’d be more looking forward to that. She was part of All inside for us. And anyone who was part of All In has a place in my heart.
“On a personal level, I always want all second and third generation fighters to have the best experience. He is very, very talented. I am sure it is something that Kenny, Brandi and Tony have discussed.”
.
