Wrestle Review: AEW Double or Nothing 2019

#8 Brothers in Arms

Redeeming their atrocious WWE Fastlane match, this one is proof AEW knows what it is doing

Cody/w Brandi Rhodes vs. Dustin Rhodes

For all the hold to hold excellence of wrestling, what really makes a match immortal is its storytelling and there's none better than the classical brother versus brother.

From the onset with his throne breaking statement to WWE, Cody and Brandi arrive with heel smarm but there's something more.

From the red-tinged face paint of his burdened old man schtick it seems Dustin is in over his head, yet still more remains in him.

Pure and perfect storytelling this one as Cody once more channels his sneaky heel self to put his brother out the pasture, yet there is more.

By virtue of showcasing a certain emotive restraint and by the never say die attitude of a Dustin seeking a form of salvation, the two craft a biblical masterpiece.

Bleeding buckets Dusty fight back, but Cody is just as relentless in vanquishing his brother and by proxy his demons of a past era that haunts his generation of wrestlers.

It's the perfect story for a second generation son to stick his hat on, one Dustin has failed to elevate from as well. It also gives the narrative impetus for the match to become more than cocky young prodigal son versus underdog elder one. Cody elevates his classic game while Dustin winds back the clock in unbelievable fashion.

The complexities of the characters merge into a Shakespearean like melodrama and tragedy, ending on an unbelievable hopeful note as our two characters (not heroes or villains) hug it out as brothers.

Result: Cody hits a final Cross Rhodes to win and cement his legacy

Rating:

4.5 out of 5 (A near perfect score!)