5 Intriguing "Outside" Challengers For AEW TNT Champion Cody Rhodes

Unfinished belt design aside, it's good to finally have a secondary title in All Elite Wrestling. The modern-day equivalent to a classic Television title (the red strap indicates as such) gives AEW's expanding roster something else to battle over, with veteran Cody Rhodes anchoring the championship picture, likely for some time to come. And given the idea that the title will be defended on a weekly basis (starting with a defense against rising young talent Jungle Boy), this opens the door for some potentially-intriguing match-ups.

The openness of Cody's "open challenge" is something AEW apparently intends to explore, as they search for the freshest possible match-ups to build the championship's credibility. While we'll certainly see the expected AEW talents vying for it (MJF, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, et al), the idea that the belt is open to any and all comers, including those outside the company, means there are many possibilities for challenger.

So who from outside AEW would I like to see come in and challenge for Cody's TNT belt? Here are a few of my top picks.

Unfinished belt design aside, it's good to finally have a secondary title in All Elite Wrestling. The modern-day equivalent to a classic Television title (the red strap indicates as such) gives AEW's expanding roster something else to battle over, with veteran Cody Rhodes anchoring the championship picture, likely for some time to come. And given the idea that the title will be defended on a weekly basis (starting with a defense against rising young talent Jungle Boy), this opens the door for some potentially-intriguing match-ups.

The openness of Cody's "open challenge" is something AEW apparently intends to explore, as they search for the freshest possible match-ups to build the championship's credibility. While we'll certainly see the expected AEW talents vying for it (MJF, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, et al), the idea that the belt is open to any and all comers, including those outside the company, means there are many possibilities for challenger.

So who from outside AEW would I like to see come in and challenge for Cody's TNT belt? Here are a few of my top picks.

5. Matt Cardona

Long Island's native son already threw his hat into the ring, via a tweet that followed Cody's proclamation on Wednesday's Dynamite. If AEW were to bring in the woefully-underutilized baron of the Broskis, having him challenge Cody wouldn't be a bad start.

Plus, a featured match between the two is a nice flash-forward. Headed into WrestleMania 32, Stardust and Ryder were treated like afterthoughts by IC champ Kevin Owens, reflecting each man's tier status at the time. Battling for the TNT belt marks a sweet life for Zack and Cody (well, I thought it was clever).

4. Nick Aldis

The NWA Worlds Heavyweight champion is one of the most complete performers that's not bound to the latter-day big two, or to New Japan. Through his eloquent, confident promos, and his crisp wrestling style, Aldis feels like a Nick Bockwinkel for the contemporary world.

He and Cody do share a history, having exchanged the "Ten Pounds of Gold" in 2018, including in Cody's emotional victory at All In. A fine technical struggle between the two, given a good amount of time and space, would lend legitimacy to the brand new belt.

3. Aron Stevens

While AEW may soon be reaching critical mass in terms of acquiring ex-WWE personnel (especially with plenty of delectable choices to pick from in that last wave of cuts), it might be far too tempting to have The Rhodes Scholars face off one on one in prime time.

The former Damien Sandow has experienced a bit of a renaissance in the NWA, where the current National champion's sense of humour, heel mannerisms, and ring presence have given him a needed refresher. Maybe Cody could wear a stick-on mustache for this one, for old time's sake?

2. Kota Ibushi

Some of Cody's best outings in New Japan came against the veteran high flyer, particularly at Wrestle Kingdom 12, as well as their worthy sequel from that year's Wrestling Dontaku. Imagine the buzz that an Ibushi appearance could create, especially in a featured title bout.

Getting New Japan full-timers to come over, of course, would be a little tricky, so it's hardly a guarantee that this match could ever happen without there being some sort of political give-and-take. But this list is about hypotheticals, and hypothetically, this would rule.

1. Miro

The "Bulgarian Brute" ranks up there with Cardona as one of the more intriguing releases from WWE's "Black Wednesday", and it's going to be interesting to see where the former multi-time United States champion ends up after mid-July. Could AEW be in his sights?

There's also the interesting parallel of Miro answering an open challenge, seeing as his US title loss to John Cena at WrestleMania 31 spawned Cena's weekly open challenges for the belt. That reminds me: was that five years ago already? Jeez, time flies, doesn't it?