Dustin Rhodes surprised everyone by capturing the vacant AEW TNT Championship in a four-way match, marking his first title win in AEW at age 56. He wasted no time proving himself as champion by successfully defending the title against Roh Pure Champion Lee Moriarty in the opening bout of “AEW Collision” on Saturday. Despite an early aggressive start from Moriarty, who used various holds to target Rhodes’ knees and feet, Rhodes managed to escape several near submissions. After a tense back-and-forth, Rhodes seized an opportunity when Moriarty momentarily lost focus, securing the victory with a quick roll-up pin.
Immediately following the match, Kyle Fletcher appeared and challenged Rhodes for the TNT Championship. Rhodes accepted, but set the stipulation that the match would take place in a Street Fight during the July 31 episode of “Clash” in Chicago. At the time of the defense, Rhodes had held the title for 15 days, with this being his first successful defense.
Fan Take: This news is significant for AEW fans as it highlights Dustin Rhodes’ resilience and ability to remain a formidable competitor despite his veteran status. The upcoming Street Fight match sets the stage for an intense and unpredictable encounter, promising exciting developments for the TNT Championship and fan engagement in AEW.
