10 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite: Blood & Guts (May 5)

3. Cody Scores Revenge, But...

QT Marshall Cody Rhodes
AEW

QT Marshall vs. Cody Rhodes was a good bit of business, as every Factory match and angle has been since the group came together, and another hoot from a stable quickly overcoming the misplaced cynicism thrown towards Marshall leading his own faction following the Nightmare Family split.

The match itself was a fun, well-worked affair with a clear face/heel dynamic, though it would have benefitted from stricter officiating. "Referee's discretion" only goes so far when Bryce Remsburg is confiscating Cody's belt then standing and watching as QT uses his own, allowing Arn Anderson to punch Marshall, and letting Red Velvet hold the heel back for Rhodes to wail on him. Still, the base notes were there. Cody worked with fire and thunder, bringing the heat to Marshall, whose shortcutting heel work and surprising power made him a nice foil.

Rhodes putting Marshall in the Figure Four after refusing to use the move in their previous exhibition match showed how far these people have drifted from each other. After Marshall tapped, Anthony Ogogo's appearance, gut punch, and victorious pose signposted Cody's next move.

The Factory vs. Nightmare Family feud delivers fun television wrestling every single week. It's quietly one of the best things in the promotion right now.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.