This news may sound surreal, as Cody has been wrestling in Ring of Honor since June 2016 and is currently the ROH World Champion. But in fact Cody has been working as a free agent since his release from WWE in May 2016, allowing him to work for many different companies around the world and fulfill his bucket list of wrestlers he wanted to compete with. But since yesterday, Cody has officially become an exclusive member of ROH.
The ROH announcement is talking about Cody’s intense past year: “After an incredible run like no other this past year that saw Cody compete all around the world in promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, The Crash, APW, PWA Canada, and Northeast Wrestling just to name a few, The American Nightmare has decided to ink a domestically exclusive contract with Ring of Honor Wrestling.”
ROH General Manager Greg Gilleland added: “This deal is another big step in his career and a great step in the continued development of the Ring of Honor brand, delivering the best, real professional wrestling to a rapidly growing and the most passionate fanbase around the world.” Furthermore, Cody will also be able continue to work with NJPW who has a partnership with ROH and of which Cody is a member of their legendary stable, The Bullet Club.
The official signing of this contract will take place tonight at the ROH Television Tapings at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas that will air in October. The terms and length of the deal are unknown, but ROH is stating “it is the most generous offer in Ring of Honor history and Cody will be in an ROH ring for the next several years.”
A month ago, on Jerry Lawler’s Podcast “Dinner with The King”, Cody noted that ROH was not happy with the fact he was a free agent and he hasn’t signed a contract with them yet. He precised he signed for dates and even he likes Ring of Honor, he didn’t want to be an exclusive anywhere. ROH General Manager Greg Gilleland stated ever since Cody started in ROH the company has wanted him to an exclusive but respected his wishes to try out the rest of the industry. But like ROH quotes, “the hottest free agent in professional wrestling has had a change of heart.”
In the ROH announcement, Cody is answering about it saying: “I grew up in this business, I’ve seen its peaks and valleys…I know we are entering an unprecedented time in pro wrestling/sports entertainment and it’s time to put my flag in the sand. Joe Koff (COO of ROH) and his team put together such a generous offer…with some non-wrestling projects on the horizon that I hope to announce soon, and the potential of starting a family down the road…it was a perfect fit. Myself, Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, Matt and Nick Jackson…it’s the dream team…like the 1992 dream team. I have several goals in mind for myself and for ROH and I can’t wait to get started.”
Among the non-wrestling projects Cody is talking about are his appearances on the CW show ARROW, a collaboration with the Nocking Point Winery to create the first-ever wrestling wines and also his brand of American Nightmare t-shirts available at Hot Topics. Cody posted this tweet yesterday to confirm the news.
From the bottom of my heart…thank you to everybody who's ever bought a ticket to see me win…or lose pic.twitter.com/QNXZrRiHZY
— Cody (@CodyRhodes) September 24, 2017