CODY RHODES VS. DAMIEN SANDOW

 Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow were having a decent tag team run as the Rhodes Scholars so of course, it came time to split them up and see who would take off. At the previous month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view Damien Sandow betrayed Rhodes to win the World Heavyweight Championship challenger contract. Cody stole the original briefcase and threw it into the Gulf of Mexico, leading to Sandow bringing out a leather-effect briefcase which suited him more anyway. So really Rhodes made a moment and did Sandow a favour. Cody also cut off Sandow’s attempt at cashing in his contract, if he had waited a few seconds Sandow wouldn’t be Mr Money in the Bank anymore, but emotions won over.

Before the match Paul Heyman ensures Brock Lesnar’s victory over CM Punk tonight.

Damien Sandow makes his way out first and I can’t believe this is the first of his matches I’m reviewing. Sandow compares himself and Rhodes to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and Batman and Robin, both had a leader and a lacky. He says tonight he proves Cody Rhodes was the sidekick. Speaking of Rhodes, he makes his way out and Cole is quick to let us know Cody shaved the mustache.

Jerry “The King” Lawler, Michael Cole and John “Bradshaw” Layfield are on commentary for this match. Lillian Garcia is the ring announcer

CODY RHODES VS. DAMIEN SANDOW

WWE SummerSlam 2013 (18^th August 2013)

  They lock up and Cody Rhodes is backed into the corner, he blocks a right hand and connects with some of his own but Damien Sandow is quick to reply with kicks to the midsection. Rhodes is knocked down with a right hand but he sends Sandow’s head into the turnbuckle.

  Damien Sandow is sent across the ring and he staggers out into a backdrop. Cody lifts Sandow for a suplex but drops him face first, covering for a nearfall. Damien Sandow headbutts Rhodes in the midsection as he gets to his feet and sends Cody over to the apron. They exchange right hands but Sandow’s seen Karate Kid sweeping Cody’s leg so he falls from the apron. By the way, Charles Robinson is our referee. Damien Sandow sends Rhodes’ kidneys into the side of the ring, then sends him back inside and starts targeting the lower back with forearms in the corner. Sandow hits a suplex and covers but Rhodes kicks out at 1. Sandow drives his knee into Cody’s spine and pulls his arms back, I’m sure there’s a name for it. Cody Rhodes makes it to his feet and sends Sandow back into the corner, breaking the hold but Sandow connects with another forearm to the lower back. Cody Rhodes catches the clothesline, but the CrossRhodes attempt is countered. Damien Sandow knees Cody in the midsection and hits the Russian legsweep to set up the Elbow of Distain. He covers but Rhodes kicks out at 2.

  Damien Sandow targets the lower back with strikes before putting Cody in a modified cloverleaf, forcing his knee into Cody’s back. Cody Rhodes is able to roll to his back and kick Sandow away but takes a forearm shot to the back of the head before he can recover. Sandow grinds Cody’s face into the mat. Sandow climbs to the middle rope, but Cody cuts him off with forearms and headbutts. Cody Rhodes hits Sandow with the Muscle Buster! Holy fuck I forgot he pulled that out occasionally. He drapes his arm over Sandow for a weak cover and Mr. Money in the Bank kicks out at 2. Cody walks into a kick to the midsection as they make it to their feet. Sandow runs into a clothesline and a back elbow, the right hand knocks him down, but there was some hesitation. Damien Sandow reverses an irish whip but ducks early. Cody drops to his back and strikes Sandow, backing him into the ropes. Sandow backdrops Cody over to the apron but eats a bionic elbow, Cody Rhodes measures Sandow before hitting a springboard dropkick back into the ring.

  Damien Sandow is draped over the top rope and Rhodes kicks him in the “lower midsection” but Sandow ducks the Disaster Kick. Damien Sandow sends Rhodes into the middle rope with a drop toehold and hits a swinging neckbreaker for a 2 count. Cody reverses the irish whip and ducks, Sandow goes over for the sunset flip but Cody sits down for the nearfall. Cody Rhodes hits a Disaster Kick that sounded suspiciously more impactful than it looked and covered, but Sandow kicks out at 2 again. Cody Rhodes is getting frustrated, he charges at Sandow in the corner but hits the ring post with his shoulder. Sandow rolls Cody up but only gets 2. Cody Rhodes slips out of the back of a scoop slam and grabs a waistlock, Sandow runs to the ropes and sends Rhodes away but Cody is back on his feet and he racks Damien Sandow across the back. Cody hits the CrossRhodes and that’s enough for the win.

WINNER: CODY RHODES

This was a good match, I liked the story going in and the positive to the tag partners breaking up trope is that a lot of the time we get good matches from it. Sandow’s work on Cody’s back and kidneys when he was in control was perfect 1980s style, make a target and stick to it, and he was able to fight off a lot. The Muscle Buster alone was worth watching the match, but everything surrounding it worked too. [***¼] 6.75/10