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#3 AEW's Exalted One - Brodie Lee
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On the very first episode of AEW Dynamite following the pandemic, Brodie Lee debuted as the leader of the Dark Order. His introduction to the company revitalized the much maligned stable and established Lee as one of the top heels.
His aforementioned rivalry and Double Or Nothing 2020 match against Jon Moxley did a lot to build him up, but it was in the summer where he really took off.
Cody Rhodes was riding high as the inaugural TNT Champion. To make the title different from the AEW World Championship, Cody instituted an open challenge for anyone in the company or outside to face him.
Jungle Boy, Marq Quen, Ricky Starks and Eddie Kingston were among those who fell to Rhodes in some very good TV matches.
Brodie Lee eventually answered Cody's TNT Championship open challenge and destroyed the old belt in a statement to the champ. On the August 22nd AEW Saturday Night Dynamite, Brodie defeated Cody in dominating fashion to win the TNT Championship. The Dark Order laid out the Nightmare Family afterwards in one of the best endings in Dynamite history.
The rivalry between Dark Order and the Nightmare Family continued, with Brodie Lee defeating Dustin Rhodes to retain the TNT Championship on the September 9th episode AEW Dynamite, which scored over 1 million viewers for the show. Cody Rhodes returned a few weeks later to challenge Brodie Lee to a rematch.
Brodie Lee made this contest a Dog Collar Match and the bout proved to be one of the most brutal encounters in AEW history. The two men battered each other until Cody wrapped the chain around Brodie and hit two Cross Rhodes finishers for the win. This was the type of contest that earned everyone's respect and felt important to both men's careers.
Unfortunately, this became Brodie Lee's final match as he passed away in December. However, this led to the greatest episode of AEW Dynamite with the Brodie Lee tribute show. It was an emotional night that celebrated Brodie's life and career, as well as gave the performers and individuals who were his friends and his family, a chance to say goodbye.
