8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Full Gear 2020

2. The Ace, Dethroned

The excellent job AEW had done of framing Cody as the guy to root against in the build to this was carried into the ring, as 'The American Nightmare' played a perfect, arrogant foil for his challenger.

As Rhodes and his Nightmare Family made a huge song and dance in the ring during the introductions, Allin was all alone on the outside, hunched over a barricade - a picture of focus. Darby, decisively, was the underdog. This was already the case before the pay-per-view, but the imagery ensured there was no doubt in the audience's mind without the promotion having to hit viewers over the head with it.

Cody was aggressive and bullish, but cocky, taking his eye off the ball to taunt Darby several times. This led to admonishment from a furious Arn Anderson on the outside. Still, 'The American Nightmare' appeared to be in complete control from the moment he launched Darby onto the ramp out of a Hammerlock. Allin's arm was crushed beneath his body, giving him something to sell and Cody a limb to work order, yielding brilliant, subtle touches like Darby having to use both arms on a roll-up because his leading limb was too sore for a more conventional pin.

AEW has spent months establishing that Cody's cockiness could someday come back to bite him. Here, it finally did. His gloating and frustration at being unable to fell a man he has already beaten twice got the better of him, and Darby eventually took a star-making win via securing Cody's shoulders for the three-count following a series of rolling pins.

Pro-wrestling need not be complicated - and this was perfect. One of the best matches AEW has ever delivered on pay-per-view.