>>19083004a lot of people think it has to do with brandi and how nobody wanted her around.
cody himself is also a massive self mark and he wanted to be the guy while playing this classic whitemeat babyface but the AEW audience just did not want him like that.
there's also the idea that his goal all along was to return to WWE in a higher position on the card.
so when WWE comes calling and says, we'll make you the champion and you can keep the babyface thing you've been forcing, even if they don't hire your wife back at least you get some of the other stuff.
i'm not sure where cody was making more money. he's definitely paid well in WWE but in AEW he was a founder, he was corporate, and it was when AEW was hotter so i don't know.