5 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Homecoming (4 Aug)

by Andy H Murray

1. Blackstar

Malakai Black Cody Rhodes
AEW

Reminiscent of Brodie Lee's infamous TNT Championship squash of Cody Rhodes last year, Malakai Black's debut match succeeded greatly in immediately making him look like a can't-miss in-ring headhunter.

It was a reminder, too, that Rhodes is an incredibly giving performer. The vast majority of his AEW run has been about minting new stars, from his big-time bouts with MJF and Darby Allin to his excellent TNT Championship run, and this was no different. Cody understood the importance of making Black look like a killer on his maiden voyage, so he let the Dutchman destroy him in a lopsided shellacking.

Kicking out Cody's leg gave Black an easy target for the rest of the match. He took full advantage when Rhodes took a misguided trip to the top rope, kicking the bad leg from under him to send Cody flying through the timekeeper's table. Though Rhodes returned to the ring in time to beat the count, a spinning roundhouse kick awaited him - as did the shadow realm.

The bad*ss pin with a boot on the chest cemented a great night for Black, whose new Amenra-assisted ring entrance is perfect for him too. This couldn't have gone any better.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.