Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes proved AEW can tell compelling stories

Saturday night, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) aired their first pay-per-view event, Double or Nothing. For the most part, the promotion delivered something new and unique.

There was no doubt AEW could generate intrigue or showcase their distinct style of wrestling. However, there was some question surrounding the kind of stories they would be able to tell without a weekly television show. Well, Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes proved the promotion is capable of presenting engaging stories just as well as anyone else.

Coming into the weekend, the match between the Rhodes brothers seemed like the centerpiece of AEW’s first outing. The generation vs. generation tagline was not only fitting, but it also added another layer to their rivalry.

Their showdown garnered positive reactions in the arena and online. The match went a little over 20 minutes and every second felt impactful. From Cody’s controversial entrance to Dustin’s evocative “crimson mask,” it will go down as the most memorable bout of the night for many fans.

There was a clear advantage because most mainstream wrestling fans know who the Rhodes family are. So, they strategically crafted a story around Dusty Rhodes’ legacy and the established continuity around his sons’ relationship, going back to their time in WWE. It was a smart move to use their family’s notoriety to tell a story about two men, who took drastically different routes to live up to their father’s name.

Before the opening bell, Jim Ross said, “You can tell a lot about a fight, gentlemen, by looking at the fighters’ eyes.” The Natural, clad in demonic looking red and black makeup, looked befuddled and almost sheepish. The bravado he displayed in his promo leading up to the match was absent. On the other hand, his younger brother appeared to be in his element. When the crowd started to cheer “Dusty,” he seemed even more confident.

Cody acted as the de facto heel with a massive chip on his shoulder. The American Nightmare has so much to prove to the wrestling industry, himself and, most importantly, his brother. Dustin was more of an underdog, who mounted a last-ditch effort against the leader of a new era. The Natural already cemented his legacy in pro wrestling.

There was a point in the match where Dustin pulled some different moves out of his repertoire, and it clearly surprised Cody. His brother wasn’t as predictable as he expected. He was facing a seasoned veteran, who could adjust on the fly. That’s when the dynamic between them started to change. Cody took control of the match after Brandi got involved and became increasingly aggressive throughout.

So much so, it set up an incredible shift in momentum later. When Dustin finally started to mount his comeback, the match exceeds all expectations. It was the best he has looked in the ring in years, and he effectively elevated showdown past a grudge match. He slowly won the crowd over and subsequently earned the respect of his younger brother.

They exchanged each other’s respective version of Cross Rhodes, but it wasn’t enough to keep either opponent down. The remainder of the match was a grueling test of will, with each competitor answering with their best shot.

In the end, Cody rolled out the win after the three count, looking notably less defiant. He was visibly dejected as it seemed his victory didn’t feel as good as he thought it would. As a result, the Rhodes brothers settled their differences and left the ring together.

It may not have had high stakes like the main event or inventive high spots, but Dustin Rhodes vs. Cody was memorable because they told such a riveting story. There was plenty of actions to keep the audience entertained but the story Cody and Dustin told in the ring will stand the test of time.