10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Cody Rhodes
3. Thronebreaker
The man currently penning Rhodes' creative was also the target of comfortably Cody's biggest WWE potshot during the former EVP's time in AEW.
'The American Nightmare' courted controversy from Camp WWE when, at Double Or Nothing 2019, he took a sledgehammer to a throne. Cody was wrestling brother Dustin on the night. It was the latter's first match since quietly leaving the market leaders months prior and a brutal, claret-soaked classic that still stands amongst the most acclaimed matches in AEW history - and Cody's 'Thronebreaker' moment kicked it off.
The imagery wasn't exactly subtle. Triple H had long used skull and (particularly questionable) iron cross motifs throughout his wrestling career and the sledgehammer was his signature weapon. At WrestleMania 22, he famously rose from the floor on his own throne, living up to the 'King of Kings' moniker.
Cody knew what he was doing at DoN 2019. AEW was formed as a WWE alternative, with a mission statement curated around scratching a sport-like itch Stamford's sports entertainment stylings never could. Anything perceived as a shot against the other side would pop AEW's base.
And pop the base it did.
Considering Triple H himself referred to AEW as a "little pissant company" at WWE's Hall of Fame ceremony less than two months prior, perhaps the clap-back was warranted. Nonetheless, it stands amongst the most memorable shots in the WWE vs. AEW promotional war.