AEW Double or Nothing: Results, Grades, and Analysis

Cody Rhodes (w/ Brandi Rhodes) vs. Dustin Rhodes

As Cody made his entrance, a throne with Triple H’s logo on it, representing the Attitude Era, sitting there. Brandi Rhodes gave Cody a sledge hammer and he destroyed the throne to a roar from the crowd. Dustin Rhodes made his entrance in red and black gear, with his face half painted to a great pop from the crowd. This one is going to be a complete war.

As the match started, the crowd chanted “Dusty” and Dustin got emotional. Both men locked up as the crowd chanted Dusty’s Favourite to taunt Cody. Cody did a cartwheel and did the Stardust pose as Jim Ross called Cody a worldwide star. That was great timing. Cody hit Dustin’s drop down uppercut and sent Dustin to the floor. Cody hit a suicide dive, driving Dustin to the floor.

Cody tried to get the cans in the front row to move, before throwing Dustin back in the ring, to boos from the crowd. Dustin hit a 619 off the apron, and a flipping dive off the apron onto Cody before hitting a bulldog in the ring and 10 punches in the corner. Dustin, at 50, still looks like he has a ton left in the tank.

Cody rolled to the outside and ran into the crowd. Cody grabbed a bottle of water, and as Cody distracted Earl Hebner, Brandi hit Dustin with the bottle of water. Cody started to work over Dustin’s legs with a dragon screw. Dustin went for a shoulder block in the corner, but Cody floated over and hit a powerslam. Dustin kicked out.

Cody continued to work over the leg, as Dustin has to be feeling that after his double knee surgeries earlier in the year. Dustin hit the ropes and hit a series of hard clotheslines before hitting his Goldust uppercut. Cody ran into the corner and hit the turnbuckle. Dustin setup Cody for the Shattered Dreams to a pop from the crowd. Cody took off the turnbuckle pad, but Dustin noticed it and threw it into the crowd. As Dustin ran, Cody hit a drop toe hold, driving Dustin head first into the buckle.

Cody dumped Dustin to the floor, and he got speared by Brandi! Earl Hebner got in Brandi’s face and ejected her from the match. DDP came out and picker her up and took her backstage! Dustin came up bleeding on the floor. Cody wiped his brother’s blood on his chest, and went for the pinfall, but Dustin kicked out. Dustin went for a haymaker, but Cody missed.

Cody continued to beat on Dustin, and Dustin bled everywhere. Dustin went for another uppercut, but he was blinded by the blood. Dustin is just a mess. Body hit a curb stomp, but Dustin kicked out. Cody went for a sledgehammer, but Dustin ducked and hit a powerslam. Cody kicked out. Cody dropped down and hooked the legs and locked on the Figure Four leglock!

Dustin refused to give up, but it works on his injured legs! Dustin tried to hard to turn it over and finally managed to, while blood was pouring down his face. Cody escaped by going to the ropes. Cody took of his weight belt that says “Attitude Killer” and Hebner took it away from him. Dustin grabbed the belt, pulled down Cody’s pants, and whipped him with it. Dustin then hit a Code Red, and the Cody kicked out!

Dustin put Cody on the top rope and went for a top rope superplex. It almost went wrong, but it Dustin recovered at the last second. Dustin hit the suplex neckbreaker and got a two count! Cody went for the Curtain Call, but Cody low blowed him and hit the Disaster Kick! Cody hit the Cross Rhodes, but Dustin kicked out to a roar from the crowd.

Both men stood up and exchanged strikes. Dustin hit a headbutt and a Cross Rhodes of his own, but Cody kicked out! This match is so awesome. Both started exchanging punches as Cody continues to get more and more heat from the crowd. Both men collided in the middle of the ring, but Cody still managed to kick out.

Cody went for Din’s Fire and nailed it! Cody is refusing to cover him though and broke Earl’s count. Cody hit Cross Rhodes again, and got the pinfall. Wow. Incredible match.

Result: Cody Rhodes

Rating ***** (5 Stars out of 5)

I’m speechless. This was amazing. This was an 80s style brawl with both men giving it their all. Cody left the ring in tears, and Dustin was left in a bloody heap. Is this the end for Dustin Rhodes? I certainly hope not after that performance. However, if this is the end, there is no better way to go out. Dusty would be proud of his boys.

Cody cut a promo saying “You don’t get to retire here. I need to ask you a favour. In front of God and the whole world. Before AEW was a thing… I put my name down for a match for next month. It was myself and a partner of my choosing. Me and a partner against the Young Bucks. Dustin, I don’t need a partner. I don’t need a friend. I need my older brother.” Cody said this in tears, and both men hugged. Next month, we get to see Dustin and Cody Rhodes teaming up to take on the Young Bucks. Just amazing.