Cody Rhodes has announced an ‘open challenge’ that will see him defend the new TNT Championship each week on AEW Dynamite.
The first challenger to the TNT Championship actually circumvents the Open Challenge stipulation. During Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Jungle Boy won a Battle Royal to earn a shot at the TNT title next week (June 3rd).
The final four participants in the Battle Royal were Jungle Boy, MJF, Wardlow, and Orange Cassidy. You can see footage from the Battle Royal here:
TNT Championship Open Challenge
The Open Challenge format creates some very interesting scenarios for the TNT Championship. Instantly, the belt has something unique that sets it apart from the AEW World Championship. It presents Cody as a ‘fighting champion’ and establishes the TNT title as a ‘workhorse’ belt that is defended frequently on television.
The Open Challenge format also presents the scenario of mystery opponents each week. Former WWE Superstar Zack Ryder, for instance, took notice.
AEW’s TNT Championship
Rhodes just became the inaugural AEW TNT Champion when he beat Lance Archer in the tournament finals at the AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view event on Saturday night. Boxing legend Mike Tyson presented the championship.
Fan reactions to the title’s design were mixed after it was presented by Tyson. Tony Schiavone had mentioned on the broadcast that due to the pandemic, the title wasn’t actually finished yet.
It’s a simple title belt design with a red strap and silver plates. The center plate has TNT in the middle while the side plates have a house on it, which is actually a replication of Ted Turners’ mansion.
