10 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Apr 8)

3. Cody & Spears Outdo Themselves

Though disappointing to many, Cody and Shawn Spears' All Out clash remains the peak of the latter's AEW career thus far, with the former Tye Dillinger slipping into a lowly losing role on Dark within months of the big match. A shame for him, though he worked out of his boots to outdo the previous Cody tilt in a Dynamite main event that exceeded all expectations.

Spears fought like a man with something to prove. He levelled up, transcending recent bouts with jobber tag team partners in a good, solid, meat-and-potatoes pro-wrestling match, the likes of which Cody excels at. Both men laid their work in to a level befitting their history in a competitive tournament kick-starter with the right amount of animosity, story, and competitiveness.

Cody gave Spears a lot, allowing him to control much of the bout as well kick out of his double Cross Rhodes. 'The American Nightmare' prevailing was the right choice, though. He trapped Shawn in a Figure Four and with Spears in too much pain to get his shoulders off the mat, he was pinned.

The match capped a good night for Spears. There's no shame in losing to the company ace and that he was able to push him beyond 20 minutes is a rub in itself.