By Geno McGahee
AEW Dynamite kicks it off with a great promo for the Darby Allin – Cody Rhodes TNT championship tournament match. Darby calls Cody a “corporate sheep” and it was just so good all around. They know exactly how to hype their matches, borrowing from the world of boxing and MMA with their dramatic approach. It’s just great.
Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone are hosting again and just doing a great job in their role, leading to the Rhodes-Allin match. AEW just understands how to build drama and excitement. Both Allin and Rhodes are very easy to root for.
Allin and Rhodes have a great match with Rhodes hurting his knee along the way. Allin takes advantage of it and is playing the role of the villain a bit, using dirtier tactics. The character of Allin is really great. At one point, he goes to attack Cody outside of the ring but Cody dodges and Brandy Rhodes is taken out accidentally from Darby. The “Ass Man” Billy Gunn helped her backstage. I’m glad he gave up his old wrestling tights. I know he was an ass man, but that was too much ass on display.
Britt Baker was on the outside of the ring and took a cheap shot at Cody with her shoe, for no apparent reason, and it was hilarious. Baker is one of the best heels in recent history. She’s very funny and good as a wrestling villain.
Darby used his Cody’s own finishers on him, including the Cross-Rhodes and figure four, but was unable to get the victory with either attempt. Brandy returned to the ring, hurting, and handed her hubby a bottle of water but Darby was able to smash it on his head.
The tide turned and Cody got some momentum going, landing the Cross-Rhodes, but Darby kicked out. He then tried the coffin drop but got knees in his back. Darby would run and land his coffin drop and go for the 3 count, but his pin fall placed his own shoulders down and Cody would win 1-2-3, in a great match.
