All In 2018 Results, Highlights, Grades, And Analysis
Nick Aldis (c.) vs. Cody Rhodes For The NWA Worlds Title
Earl Hebner is the referee for this match, which just adds to the special feeling for it. The crowd was so hot for this match as soon as the bell rang, and both men shook hands. Some basic grappling started the match, as you would expect in an NWA Worlds Championship Match. Both men exchanged chops, and a series of shoulder tackles until Cody hit a dropkick on Aldis. Rhodes hit a tope and drove Aldis to the floor.
Aldis took over soon thereafter with a few shots in the corner and a Fisherman’s Suplex, but Cody kicked out. Both men hit clotheslines on each other and went down. Rhodes hit a superkick and went for the Cross Rhodes, but Aldis got out. Both men hit a double cross body, and crashed to the mat. Cody went for a flying cross body, but Aldis hit an elbow that sent Cody to the floor. DDP came out checked on Cody. Davari shoved Page, and went into the ring and shoved Hebner. DDP hit a Diamond Cutter on Davari!
Cody Rhodes was busted wide open, and he rolled back into the ring. Of course, in an old school NWA title match, Cody would bleed. Cody missed a moonsault, and Aldis hit a fall away slam off the middle rope. Aldis hit a big splash off the top rope, but Cody kicked out. Aldis went for the Texas Cloverleaf, but Cody reversed and locked on the Figure Four Leglock. Aldis rolled through and got to the ropes.
Aldis hit a running powerslam on the mats outside the ring. Aldis rolled him back in, and hit a chop. Cody went for an Alabama slam, but it was slightly botched, and Aldis fell off. Cody sold it like his back was too sore. Rhodes then hit it successfully, but Aldis kicked out. Cody missed the Disaster Kick, and Aldis locked on the Texas Cloverleaf, but Rhodes made it to the ropes. Aldis hit a piledriver on Rhodes, and Cody collapsed in a heap. Aldis went to the top rope, and Brandi Rhodes begged him to not hit him. Brandi covered Cody’s body, and Aldis hit her with a flying elbow! Oh my goodness.
The fans are all over Aldis, booing him like crazy. Rhodes hit a Disaster Kick and a Cross Rhodes, but Aldis kicked out! Both men started exchanging punches, but Cody went for the Vertabreaker. Aldis dodged it. Aldis went for a sunset flip, and Cody sat down, pinning Aldis!
Cody Rhodes is the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion!
Result: Cody Rhodes
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5
This was incredible from a storytelling perspective. The emotions that Cody and Aldis took us through would have made Dusty Rhodes proud. This match was booked exactly like a Flair/Rhodes match in the 80s, and it was beautiful.