AEW: 5 possible opponents who could challenge Cody for his TNT Title

5. vs. Darby Allin

I noted I was shocked but pleased to not see Allin in the battle royal that Jungle Boy won because it helped sell the injuries from the hellacious bumps he took at Double or Nothing. I also said it’s probably too soon to return to Cody-Allin match.

Well, if we give Allin another week or so off television to sell his injuries and another few weeks to build victories, there would probably have been enough time that passed for people to reinvest in a Cody-Allin match. The stakes in their third match was a spot in the finals of the TNT Championship Tournament; this match would be for the actual championship. The stakes are higher, usually a selling point.

We also know through their first three matches that these two have great chemistry and understand how to exploit each other’s strengths in the best possible ways. Their previous match was highlighted by each using unique counters on each other’s moves, playing off of their knowledge of each other’s styles. This was topped by Cody taking the Coffin Drop from Allin only to roll Allin into a pin using the momentum of his fall. It was a well-executed finish.

The story for Allin, of course, is would he finally be able to top his personal hurdle, his stumbling block, his albatross that is Cody? His record against Cody is 0-2-1, with the draw being their first match. If he’s able to topple Cody, you have a young babyface champion that nearly every AEW fan seems to adore. If he fails, does he delve down the path of brooding cynicism and turn heel, or does he embark upon a journey of self-actualization that sees him earn another shot at Cody?

For Cody, part of the story depends on when he might face Allin. If he faces Allin after a month or so, it’s just another challenger Cody has to defeat, albeit one who knows Cody as well as any other opponent.

However, say Cody faces Allin three or four months into a reign where he’s defended the title every week. That’s 12 to 16 consecutive weeks of championship defenses. That has to take a toll both physically and mentally. Would Cody still be as sharp as when his reign first started, or would Allin be able to take advantage of a fatigued and weary Cody who leaves himself open when he may not have otherwise?

For a workhorse title, Allin might seem an ill fit considering his seemingly reckless style. However, maybe having to defend every week causes Allin to undergo a shift in style that focuses on achieving victory while elongating his career (and title reign).

The possible stories for a rekindled rivalry leave me intrigued.