Cody Rhodes Defeats Nick Aldis For The NWA Worlds Title At All In 2018

Although Cody Rhodes vs. Nick Aldis wasn’t the main event of All In 2018, this was the most built-up match on the entire card, and this NWA Worlds Title match certainly delivered with a memorable finish that had just about everyone in the arena cheering.

Coming into this match, Cody Rhodes was the major underdog. Nick Aldis had held the NWA Worlds Title for 267 days after ending Tim Storm’s reign at the top in memorable fashion. With about 30 pounds on Cody, as emphasized during the All In 2018 weigh-in, the title seemed like Aldis’s to lose.

The match began with Aldis simply imposing his will on Cody, as the smaller “American Nightmare” could not cope with Aldis’s strength and size advantage. He bullied Cody around the ring, who was visibly bleeding (blade job or not, this is part of the story they were telling) by the time he re-entered the ring after receiving support from Diamond Dallas Page. (Page’s cutter on Shawn Daivari was another highlight in this match.)

There were so many legends there for this match, but what stood out was the fact that Cody had his dog Pharaoh and his wife Brandi Rhodes, who tried to sacrifice herself at one point, in his corner. On his own show, fighting for the title his father helped make prestigious, this match was personal for Cody. It was about honor and sportsmanship for both of these competitors, but it meant so much more for Cody.

When Cody hit Aldis with a Cross Rhodes after Brandi sacrificed herself, the fans stood on their feet. And when Aldis kicked out at two, you could see crestfallen faces in the audience. This arena was 100% behind Cody, who was scratching and clawing against the bigger, badder Aldis.

In the end, it was Cody who countered a Cross Rhodes attempt from Aldis, countering a sunsetflip into a roll-up a la the British Bulldog during his memorable victory in Wembley over Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship.

It was a brilliant finish to a great story, which is typical of Cody’s matches. This wasn’t necessarily an exhibition in wrestling prowess, but it was an exhibition in story-telling and wrapping up a match with a big-fight feel. My hat is off for both of these men, especially for what they achieved to make this match feel like a spectacle. So much so, in fact, that they didn’t need the main event.

Cody is now the NWA Worlds Champion, but he is a marked man. Because Aldis won’t go lying down easily after dropping the title. He’ll want his revenge as soon as he can get it.