Wrestle Review: AEW Revolution

The First Chapter

Cody/w Brandi Rhodes and Arn Anderson vs. MJF/w Wardlow

With a highly intense build-up, it was obvious that MJF and Cody's bout couldn't live up to such mega expectations. Though MJF called it Cody's final chapter, this in many ways feels like the beginning of a lengthy rivalry. Booked in the imitable style of a Dusty Rhodes feud, this was a solid first chapter but as I mentioned, it just fell short of expectations.

There was something off from the beginning of the contest, despite Cody's garish tattoo and MJF's equally garish tan job. The heat of the bout translated with the two men throwing bombs early on, in particular paying homage to the lashing of Cody. That included the referee hilariously, though illogically, giving Cody the leeway to whip MJF. Parts of it however just didn't translate at the moment, from Wardlow's minimal interference to Cody's missed shot at him that hurt Arn Anderson instead.

The production team also failed to properly catch MJF use his AEW Diamond ring to knock out Cody, and that crafted a big problem to the connective tissue of the bout. Similarly the inability to justify how MJF started to bleed also felt off. Even then, MJF rose to the occasion once more with his heel work, exposing and even biting Cody's injured toe.

Maybe there's more in these two men and hopefully next time the territorial circus style of Cody's matches pays off. For the next chapter, there's potential, for a first chapter there just needed to be a smidge more.

Result: MJF steals the win with his AEW Diamond ring to pin Cody and win the match!

Rating:

Edited by Rick Ucchino