C.S.

Cody had one of the first truly great matches in AEW - if not the first - and it's still a top five or ten match in the company's history.

Sincerity mixed with over-the-top wrestling bluster is the best kind of promo possible. He's leagues ahead of most on the mic, which isn't something I would've said six years ago or even three years ago.

I'll take Cody's sincerity over Omega and Bucks' wink and nod too cool for the room speaking style that's grating at the best of times.

If you love Cody, you love this promo. If you don't, you don't. I do. Either way, we can all agree that we don't want a three-month Rollins feud. Update: Wasn't expecting a handshake. Awesome!

The fans are chanting. Sounds pretty enthusiastic to me.

McAfee with the best Stunner sell ever, spitting out beer on the way down!

First we got Gable vs. Gable. Now Austin vs. Austin!

How the hell was Theory-McAfee better than Edge vs. AJ? I don't know, but it was. Wish this had more time and that less time.

THIS is a decent use of those silly cheerleaders.

Odd take. Theory is pretty good himself. Remember, Bubba, he's only 24 years old. He hasn't even entered his prime yet.

Miracle maybe, but I didn't love it. If that's his best WrestleMania match outside of Boneyard, it kind of proves my point.

TBH, AJ has yet to have a truly great match at WrestleMania (not counting the Boneyard Match, which was great but a different animal entirely).

I remember they were planning to at a SummerSlam or something. I can't remember why it never happened.

These pre-shows are a complete waste of time. NXT Day 1 and Day 2 should be what the pre-show slots are used for. No one even remembers Stand and Deliver, and it was yesterday.

Can't argue with this.

The water okay in France? Your idea definitely would have won an award though. The Dave Meltzer Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic of the Year Award.

Considering that Jericho was openly mocking the EVP title as "mark" shit and saying he asked for extra money instead because he realizes there's only one boss in reality, I can understand why Cody wouldn't consider being an EVP a bargaining chip when it's a ceremonial title at best, and he was having - in his own words - personal issues with others he couldn't get past. At this point, with a new baby, he may as well chase the money and original dream of becoming the first Rhodes to win a World Title in WWE. He can always go back to AEW, and - don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise - he would be welcomed back there with open arms after a few years away. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and all of that...

Yep. As much as we all love AEW, even Owens beating Hangman Page for the World Title wouldn't have been as big as this - and that wouldn't have happened anyway.

I don't care what anyone says - MOTY!

Not seeing how this is any different from half the main events WWE has put on. Stone Cold's still got it.

KO is main eventing WrestleMania. Can't ever take that away from him.

I want Charlotte in AEW, not because I think AEW would benefit, but because she desperately needs a change of scenery and anything different would be better than what we're getting now. Would be interesting seeing her somewhere where everyone won't bend over backward to please her.

Cody thinks of the big picture - buying up trademarks, etc. - and has contacts outside the business that are invaluable for a startup seeking continued consistent growth. He's also, easily, by far, the most knowledgeable and creative of the EVPs. Kenny and Bucks may be "more exciting" in the ring, but Cody has the best creative wrestling mind of the bunch. Tony Khan's excuse that AEW doesn't need Cody because All Out was fine without him is particularly boneheaded. You know who else wasn't there? The current World Champion "Hangman" Adam Page, and no one is going to argue that AEW would be "fine" without him. Anyway, Cody says it was a personal matter that led to his departure - whatever that means. Good read here: https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/cody-rhodes-wwe-wrestlemania-38-interview-1235221061/

There was a bit of a slow stretch, but that was ultimately a very good match. AEW letting Cody go was definitely a mistake. Hopefully Cody returning to WWE isn't also a mistake. So far so good...

End of Days is legit the most protected finisher in WWE, so this is one Mania finish kickout that actually has impact.