9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jan 27)

5. Red Velvet Steps Up

Shaq called Cody Rhodes out during the AEW Dynamite Awards show, telling him to name a time and place for their showdown. This led to 'The Prince of Pro Wrestling' responding on Dynamite, with Red Velvet stepping in for the absent Brandi.

It'll be Shaq and Jade Cargill vs. Cody and Velvet at Revolution on 7 March. The match hasn't been announced yet, but it seems a dead cert and the substitution makes sense. Velvet has an existing relationship with the Rhodes family, is a Nightmare Factory trainee, and has gotten into it with Cargill several times lately. The right choice in the right spot.

As nice as it was to see Velvet getting some microphone time here, Arn Anderson was the segment's highlight. Telling the story of the time Dusty Rhodes hot-footed out of an arena after a 30-minute war with Tully Blanchard just so he could witness Cody's birth, Arn said that if 'The American Nightmare' chooses to wrestle on 7 March, he should do it without regret. Opportunities to capture the public's attention in ways like this don't come along often and there's a lot of time between Revolution and the birth of Cody's own child. Time to dive in.

Also one of the most impactful (and underrated) talkers in the business, only Anderson could have delivered this promo, given his history with the family.