AEW Double or Nothing 2019 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

In the most unsubtle knock on the competition to date, Cody Rhodes unveiled a Triple H-esque throne and proceeded to use a sledgehammer to smash it. It was symbolic of a new era, championed by the second-born as he prepared to end an era closely associated with his brother—and opponent—Dustin.

Confident, Rhodes mocked the Stardust character and took the fight to his older sibling, including a suicide dive. From there, he directed the fans to move and then sent his brother into the ring apron. A second time, Dustin slid through and delivered a kick. A senton from the apron flattened Cody as fans chanted "you've still got it!"

As Dustin built momentum, a cerebral Cody ducked out to the floor and teased walking away. A well-timed bit of interference from Brandi Rhodes at ringside allowed Cody to deliver a torture rack gut-buster and seize control of the contest.

Dueling chants broke out as Dustin mounted a comeback. He set up Cody in the corner for Shattered Dreams, but The American Nightmare, always alert, exposed the turnbuckle and sent his brother face-first into it. At ringside, Brandi blasted Dustin with the ring bell.

Referee Earl Hebner, having seen it, tossed her from the ringside area. When she refused to leave, Diamond Dallas Page emerged from the back and carried her, screaming, to the back.

His face bloodied from the bell shot, Dustin found himself on the receiving end of a relentless assault by his brother. Cody cut off a momentary comeback attempt and applied the Figure Four, a move his family members have been on the receiving end of many times. 

Dustin reversed the hold and Cody rolled to the sanctuary of the bottom rope.

A momentary delay in Cody using his weight belt allowed Dustin to grab it and use it on his younger brother's bare ass. A sunset flip bomb earned Dustin a strong near-fall.

Dustin's nasty superplex gave way to the final cut, but the elder sibling still only garnered a two-count as crowd excitement reached fever pitch.

Cody then delivered a low blow to set up Cross Rhodes, but he was still unable to put away his opponent. 

The competitors exchanged a series of blows before Cody executed a picture-perfect scissor kick and a mid-ring collision left both down. Cody recovered and delivered a modified Vertebreaker, and the referee began his count.

Moments later, Cody finally put away his brother for the most emotional victory of his career.

After the match, a crying Dustin was greeted by his brother, who requested a microphone. "You don't get to retire here. You don't get that because I have to ask you a favor." Cody went on to ask Dustin to join him as his partner against The Young Bucks at Fight for the Fallen. "I don't need a partner. I don't need a friend. I need my older brother."

An embrace followed and the arena erupted.

Cody defeated Dustin.

A bloody, violent and emotional match. An epic bit of storytelling from both stars, who clearly learned the art form from their father, Dusty Rhodes. It was a classic match with an even better post-match angle that saw the warring siblings reunite in a tearful embrace.

The match was outstanding, a story-based bout that was the opposite of everything else on the card to this point. Dustin bled buckets, putting over the idea that he was unwilling to stay down in the face of a determined Cody.

Cody's win was absolutely the right call, but in defeat, Dustin found rebirth as a performer still incredibly valuable to this young brand.

It was fantastic stuff from all involved, including spoiled brat Brandi, who could serve as a neat counterpart to her more business-minded, honorable husband.