AEW Booms/Duds: Cody Rhodes vs. Darby Allin could be the most storied rivalry

Boom: what could end up being AEW’s most storied rivalry

Heading into last night’s match, Cody held the edge over Allin 1-0-1. Their first match at Fyter Fest saw the breakout moment for Allin as he threw his body around at Cody’s behest yet survived just barely for a 20-minute draw.

Their second match on Dynamite had Cody pick up the victory more decisively in what was another competitive match.

Each match saw Allin improve and nearly figure out the advantages of Cody’s years of experience and technique. Was he able to solve the “Millennium Puzzle” so to speak last night?

This was another great match between the two, which is expected at this point considering their previous two encounters. We also saw a different side to Allin than we have thus far in AEW: the technical, methodical, limb-targeting tactician.

After Cody tweaked his knee trying to matrix his way out of a pin, Allin immediately hit a chop block and began working the left knee. He eventually targeted both knees, applying a kneebar and figure four during the match.

Playing into the tactician role, Allin hit Cody with a Cross Rhodes in an attempt to win and why not? He’d tried everything else through two and a half matches (at that point). Cody kicked out, but this other side of Allin was a nice change.

Cody tried his best at repaying the favor by attempting a Coffin Drop only for Allin to lift his knees. He then set Cody up for his own coffin drop, which he hit.

Yet, he still lost. Cody used the force of the maneuver to basically crucifix pin Allin, who in turn was trying to apply his Last Supper pin (a great touch to make it more believable). If the match were scored on points, Allin was winning until the pin, so this helps protect Allin as he lost to a leverage pin while looking to apply his own leverage pin.

Cody faces Joey Janela next week, though I’m not necessarily sure if there will be a storyline reason for Janela facing a top-ranked wrestler seemingly out of nowhere. I hope it’s something more than “Janela challenged/insulted Cody.”

An aside: what was the point of having Brandi return during the match to hand a bottle of water to Cody? What purpose did the water bottle serve?

While many correctly predicted the final match that will take place at Double or Nothing, I’m not sure if Cody or his opponent necessarily needed to be in this tournament. However, I do see two outcomes. One, Cody wins and has a John Cena U.S. Championship Open-esque run to elevate the title.

Two, his opponent becomes the inaugural TNT Champion, and Cody embarks on a long redemption story to an eventual World Championship match in 2021.

Speaking of his opponent at Double or Nothing…