All Elite Wrestling Executive Vice President “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes recently spoke with Busted Open Radio’s Dave LaGreca and Bully Ray about a number of topics, which includes the TNT Championship Tournament, the TNT Championship Title belt and how exciting it is for the title to be added to the AEW roster as well as the company itself.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“The thing that excites me about the TNT Championship Tournament the most, is that it’s something that came in a joint effort from AEW and TNT.” “This is something that – TNT has been really great – WarnerMedia has been really great about the inside of the show and all the research on what they’re seeing. They’ve been a wonderful, wonderful, partner. This is something they were interested in doing, and it went in line with what we’re interested in doing; having a premium championship on the show. For us to be able to share in their likeness, and to slap the TNT logo to signify the relationship that we have over the next several years, is really wonderful.”
Cody Rhodes then talked about everyone in the tournament being able to get a little glimpse of the TNT Championship Title belt they could possibly be winning somewhere down the road.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“All the guys in the tournament got a brief little glimpse of the belt itself. It’s a special looking championship belt.” “I’ve always wanted a title tournament like this, and to be in one now, is a wrestler’s dream.”
Cody Rhodes then talked about all the safety precautions and procedures AEW is taking to keep everyone in the company safe during these trying times brought about by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, but at the same time still trying to entertain the fans all over the world.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“One of the beautiful things about AEW since day one is we don’t have a central office.” “The core management is all over the place. We’ve got folks in L.A., folks in Canada, myself in Atlanta [and] Tony Khan is in Jacksonville. So, the quarantine element of what’s going on state-by-state, and complying with those regulations is easy when you can work from home, and coordinate from home for your weekly show, and then build one of your four pay-per-views.”
“As far as the content we have and what we’ve been able to do in Jacksonville most recently, I was really – I mean- it was step up city, in terms of those shows. I’m really impressed. When we first started, Brandi was very adamant that we have a medical team. I rarely swing by the trainers’ room. But, we also have a physio team – you know – all the perks of a high-end wrestling company. Of a major league wrestling company, you have to have those things for your athletes.
Cody Rhodes then talked about how their head doctor, Dr. Michael Sampson, has been a great addition to AEW and how valuable he has become to the company.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“So, she picks out Doc. Sampson. Who, you know Dr. Sampson, I believe? Doc. Sampson is famous for being the guy who saved Jerry Lawler’s life in Montreal, after his heart attack.” “And, Doc. Sampson to put it frankly, does not take s–t from anybody. He’s not a ‘Yes’ doctor, in terms of if you want things to go on if they’re unable to. So he set a really rigorous amount of guidelines and everyone was able to follow them. That was something I was very proud of that I’ll never forget.”
Cody Rhodes then talked about how they are doing everything they can to make sure that the wrestlers and talents who can’t make it to the television tapings can still take a part of it by being involved in interviews and promos, which are then aired or shown on the weekly segments.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“You know, you’re quarantined in a hotel, so we can keep the numbers under 10 at the actual arena.” “Then, you’re sanitizing a car steering wheel driving over to your [hotel] room. Then, the ropes themselves are being sanitized. You’re getting your temperature checked. You’re getting quarantine questions, that’s a page long. All of those things that were put in place were the right things to do. You have to limit the people that were perhaps older individuals, or people with immune illnesses of some kind. You have to limit them from being there or being present, because we don’t want to put them at risk. So, you’re getting a lot of interviews, remotely.”
Cody Rhodes then talked about Tony Khan truly being a leader and everyone in the company being impressed with what Tony Khan has done.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“It’s been an extreme challenge. But, you know, I want to be able to answer all the challenges. In this case, certain people have stepped up – Tony Khan more than anybody in AEW. Bubba will know what I mean, but man, he’s a wrestler in terms of having a strong mindset. He’s a different type of leader than Vince was. There are remotely different types of leaders. You can tell he’s in it for the long run with AEW, and that’s really promising.”
Cody Rhodes then talked about the first-ever episode of Dynamite not having an audience and what it felt like.
This is what Cody Rhodes said:
“It’s funny, I’m in the ring, and there’s no one in the audience at Daily’s Place.” “So, I’m looking out at the amphitheater bowl, and production had to be under 10 people as well. So, there’s only two cameramen in front of me. I can hear over the PA I’m getting the time cues it’s 7:55, and we’re five minutes till air. Then, I hear, 10-9-8-7. Next thing you know, the hard camera’s lights came on and there’s no audience, there’s no sound, there’s no music. And, it was just me talking directly – to what I hope to – was people at home. It really felt like this was a ‘Golden Age of Radio’ moment. It’s one of the most surreal and eerie [feelings] in a way, but also, one of those true moments for me as a wrestler.”
You can check out Cody Rhodes’ full comments here.
