AEW’s Decline Attributed to Cody Rhodes and CM Punk’s Departures

AEW has truly come far in the past five years since its inception but there are quite a few nagging issues that still plague AEW even now. In fact, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk’s AEW exits are blamed for AEW’s decline as well.

Tony Khan and AEW are preparing for their upcoming events in the United Kingdom, including a Dynamite episode in Cardiff and the All In PPV in London. They have also announced next year’s All In event in Texas. However, AEW is facing challenges when it comes to a decline in ratings and ticket sales for live shows.

In 2021, CM Punk’s debut in AEW was groundbreaking event but he was ultimately fired by AEW last year and he went back to WWE. Cody Rhodes would leave AEW back in early 2022 after spending almost three years there and being one of the central figures of the promotion.

While speaking on Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray talked about the reasons behind AEW’s current struggles. He identified two major factors contributing to the promotion’s difficulties: the departure of CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. Bully Ray emphasized that AEW’s performance metrics are declining, and these departures, along with other issues, have significantly impacted the company’s overall situation.

”There is not one metric in AEW that is heading north. They’re heading south. One of the biggest hits that AEW took was … [CM] Punk leaving. I believe the two biggest factors in AEW right now [are] the departure of Cody Rhodes and the departure of CM Punk, tied in with a lot of the other issues the company is having.”

Cody Rhodes admits his AEW run had a terrible ending and CM Punk still supports AEW despite how he left the company. Regardless, AEW’s current slump can be attributed to many factors but Rhodes and Punk’s departure certainly stand out.

What’s your view on CM Punk and Cody Rhodes’ AEW exits being attributed to the company’s decline? Do you feel AEW would have been better off with them still being part of the company? Sound off in the comments section below!