At AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, Cody Rhodes returned to in-ring action for the first time since August when he faced Malakai Black in a heated rematch.
On the special “Homecoming” episode of Dynamite on August 4, Black defeated Rhodes and forcefully stopped him from retiring. On AEW’s debut show in New York City, Rhodes sought revenge, and he brought some help with him.
Brand Rhodes, who hasn’t been seen on AEW programming for months due to her pregnancy and subsequent delivery, accompanied her husband to the ring.
.@CodyRhodes is back…and so is @TheBrandiRhodes! It's Cody vs #MalakaiBlack NEXT – Watch #AEWDynamite: Grand Slam LIVE NOW on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/IIFXWkofg4
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 23, 2021
Brandi’s presence made a difference right away; she entered the rock and mocked Black’s signature seated taunt before she flipped him off.
Cody capitalized and brought the fight to Black, but a nasty strike to the head knocked him out of the ring and nearly ended the match. Back in the squared circle, Cody weakened Black with a chop block and a nasty dragon screw through the ropes.
A leg-breaker helped Cody maintain the advantage, but Black countered the Cross Rhodes. The former AEW TNT Champion went for a bulldog, but Black tossed him across the ring. Black countered another Cross Rhodes, but he hit it on his third attempt for a near fall.
Cody accidentally knocked Arn Anderson off the apron and left the ring to check on his coach. Anderson shoved him away and told him to focus on the match, so Cody got back in the ring. But Black ultimately spit black mist in Rhodes’ eyes and cradled him for the pinfall victory.
.@TommyEnd with the poison mist! #AEWGrandSlam #AEWDynamite #AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/5s61S8YXCp
— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) September 23, 2021
