AEW Dynamite Grand Slam - Star ratings for every match

Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes - AEW Dynamite Grand Slam

One of the most well-built feuds heading into AEW Dynamite Grand Slam was Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes. Black made a dramatic debut for All Elite Wrestling back at Road Rager in July, attacking Cody and Arn Anderson. He followed that up with the destruction of Rhodes at AEW Dynamite Homecoming before dismantling the Nightmare Family one by one.

Both men had superstar level entrances with Cody coming into the ring with Arn Anderson and the returning Brandi Rhodes. The NYC crowd became a major part of the story told in this AEW Dynamite Grand Slam contest. Fans were heavily in support of Malakai Black and booed Cody Rhodes out the building.

Black and Rhodes worked a pretty good matchup, but there was a little bit of overbooking that has become a staple of Cody's major matches. Brandi Rhodes sat in the same position as Malakai Black to flip him the bird at one point, while Arn Anderson botched a walk on the apron and was eventually knocked off by a colliding Cody.

Rhodes nearly struck the referee before Malakai Black used the distraction to spit poison mist in Cody's face and roll him up in a small package for the victory at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.

The outcome was a best-case scenario with Black continuing his undefeated streak. Although it seemed to set up a third bout, it might be time to change course and turn Cody heel after this one.

Star rating: ***