14 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (16 Oct)

8. All Rhodes Lead To Gold

Cody Rhodes
AEW

Though Cody didn't appear live on Dynamite, the show cut to a pre-produced vignette starring him, Brandi Rhodes, and a whole bunch of talking heads, all of whom put the man's journey, character, and upcoming AEW World Heavyweight Championship match with Chris Jericho over.

It began with Cody sat in the kitchen, zoning out as Brandi went over their insanely busy schedule. He was in a different place. His mind was on Full Gear. In her chatty face spot, Brandi called Cody the single most passionate person she'd ever mate, adding that as soon as he challenged Jericho, she knew she was going to lose him for a while. DDP got involved, because of course he did, saying Cody was as driven at 12 years old as he is today. Then they wheeled out Cody's mother who said that 'The American Nightmare' had escaped the problems associated with "being someone's son" by being himself.

MJF called Cody the face of the company, but conceded that not being World Champion really bothered him. "A legend will be born at Full Gear," he claimed, and Brandi signed off with the idea that Cody wouldn't rest until he beats Jericho.

This was a great production. While the concerns that this was focused on an Executive Vice President and not a non-staffer, the guy's a star, perhaps the biggest in AEW at the moment, to such treatment is justified. Slick, well-produced, and well-shot, let's hope we can expect more like this.

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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.