Ladies and gentlemen it is now 2020, New Year’s Day! But more importantly it’s Wednesday, which means WWE NXT and AEW Dynamite tonight! Jordan Huie of the Overtimer here, to give you the previews for everything All Elite as usual~! It’s a special night of course, AEW Homecoming, and they’ve perhaps stacked tonight’s card more than ever before for the occasion! There’s plenty to talk about, so let’s dive into the previews! I already covered one match that’s essentially an AEW Fyter Fest rematch, though is more of a make-up match really. But this one is a direct callback to that night.
Cody vs. Darby Allin
At the aforementioned Fyter Fest, Darby Allin, still largely an unknown at that point, came into the biggest match of his career to date against Cody and put on a star-making performance. This was capped off by him managing to go the distance, with the bout ending in a 20-minute time limit draw. Ever since then, Darby has been expressing his want to get another shot at the American Nightmare. And Cody for his part has made it clear that he agrees a rematch is necessary. But it was held off for quite a while.
AEW Dynamite Preview (1/1/2020) Cody Rhodes vs. Darby Allin | All Elite Wrestling
However once his former protege and now mortal enemy MJF sicced the mercenary team of the Butcher and the Blade on Cody, Darby saw an opening to make it happen. He became Cody’s partner on the grounds that if they won, the match would happen. Cody agreed and together they infact managed to overcome the menacing tandem. Thus, the match was set for AEW’s Homecoming show on New Year’s Day.
Now that we’re here… I’m a little conflicted as to where this one will go. Taking Cody to the distance has been more or less Darby’s signature moment, and having Cody win would theoretically take that shine away. Still, with such a big angle ongoing, is this the right time for Cody to take a one-on-one loss?
But ultimately, I don’t suspect Cody/MJF will happen until AEW Revolution at the very end of February. Between now and then, he can afford a singular big loss, he can bounce back. Darby on the other hand has been looking for an actual signature victory for a while and it’s seemed pre-destined that Cody will be the one he gets it over. It’s the logical conclusion of this angle that it happens eventually, and tonight’s a special night after all… I’m gonna say Darby Allin gets the upset.
