On July 22, 2020, at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, Cody Rhodes faced off against Eddie Kingston in a violent confrontation aired live on TNT during AEW Dynamite. The match, centered on the Cody Rhodes TNT Title Match, was marked by brutal physicality and a unique no-disqualification stipulation, allowing the use of dangerous weapons such as thumbtacks.
Eddie Kingston entered the arena with an intense promo, contrasting his hard-lived journey with Cody’s wrestling pedigree. Calling out Cody’s background, Kingston declared,
and I had to survive, I had to grind.
—Eddie Kingston, Wrestler. He challenged Cody, asserting that he was a grown man in the business and claimed he would take the title by force. After negotiating terms with Tony Khan and Cody agreeing to a no-disqualification match, tensions ignited before the bell even rang.
Match Progression: Physicality and Strategy Highlight the Contest
Kingston immediately attacked Cody aggressively, creating a fierce battle that spilled outside the ring. Both competitors exchanged intense strikes and high-impact moves, including Cody’s signature Disaster Kick and a top-rope missile dropkick. Despite Cody removing his belt as a weapon, Kingston’s persistent knee injury became a focal point of the match‘s narrative.
Kingston’s struggle with his left knee led to setbacks, but he did not hesitate to use underhanded tactics, including a legal low blow, exploiting the no-disqualification rules. The match escalated when Kingston introduced a bag of thumbtacks, tossing them in the ring and powerbombing Cody onto the sharp spikes. This gruesome moment left Cody bleeding but not defeated.
Cody responded by applying a figure-four leglock, targeting Kingston despite resistance. After a grueling 13 minutes, Kingston tapped out, allowing Cody to successfully retain the TNT Title in a match defined by resilience and brutality.
Additional Highlights and Promos Build AEW Storylines
The show featured several other noteworthy events. Jon Moxley issued a hard-hitting promo ahead of his scheduled matches, emphasizing his toughness in the wrestling world full of deceivers. Meanwhile, MJF faced Griff Garrison in a match that showcased MJF’s dominance and psychological tactics, securing a victory after intense aggression—including the use of a Heat Seeker finisher.
Backstage segments and promos further set the tone for ongoing rivalries. Brit Baker addressed her recent nose surgery caused by a violent attack from Hikaru Shida and reinforced her status as a resilient role model within the women’s division. She made a point to emphasize her determination to comeback stronger for the upcoming All Out event.
Escalating Feuds Lead to Physical Brawls Throughout the Arena
AEW Dynamite also saw Ricky Starks attack Darby Allin from behind, leading to a chaotic scene where Jon Moxley came to Allin’s rescue with a barbed wire bat, forcing the heels to retreat. This collision sparked anticipation for a tornado tag match featuring Darby Allin and Moxley versus Brian Cage and Ricky Starks.
In the tag team division, a wild brawl broke out when The Young Bucks faced Butcher & The Blade. The match extended beyond the ring, utilizing props such as freight trailers and concession stand barriers. The Young Bucks leveraged their speed and creativity to secure a dramatic victory after intense table spots and signature submission holds. The physicality and continuous momentum were praised as exemplifying high-quality tag team wrestling.
Dark Order and Brodie Lee Influence AEW’s Ongoing Storylines
Lance Archer and Jake Roberts appeared backstage, expressing frustration with their unused status, hinting at possible future conflicts within AEW’s roster. In the ring, Hangman Adam Page defeated Alan Angels, despite interference by members of the Dark Order faction. Post-match, Brodie Lee praised Page but admonished him for perceived weaknesses, offering an ominous alliance that Page cautiously declined.
Subsequently, Dark Order ambushed Page in an overwhelming attack that was ultimately thwarted by FTR and a late-arriving Kenny Omega, setting the stage for future tag team title matches involving Omega and Page against Dark Order.
Notable Tag Team Matches and Unexpected Returns Shake the AEW Universe
Chris Jericho and Jake Hager teamed with Santana and Ortiz to battle Jurassic Express, consisting of Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt. The match was filled with high-energy offense and dramatic moments, including interference from Serpentico, who unveiled himself as Sammy Guevara, marking a surprising return. Jericho secured the win with his Code Breaker finisher.
This event further developed the tensions between factions and set up future encounters featuring Best Friends aligned against the Inner Circle faction.
Significance and Future Directions Following AEW Dynamite’s Explosive Episode
This AEW Dynamite episode showcased a volatile array of storylines and confrontations while spotlighting Cody Rhodes’ gritty defense of the TNT Title in an unpredictable environment marked by thumbtacks and unrelenting violence. The match reinforced Cody’s dominance yet left unresolved tension between heel and face roles, keeping fans uncertain about his trajectory.
Other matches and promos layered depth onto several AEW narratives involving faction warfare, injury comebacks, and faction alliances that threaten to reshape the wrestling landscape. Notably, Sammy Guevara’s return as Serpentico adds complexity to the Inner Circle saga, raising questions about loyalty and future conflicts.
As AEW progresses toward major events like All Out, the developments from this episode promise heightened intensity and critical storyline resolutions, particularly concerning the TNT Title and tag team divisions.
