10 Wrestling Moments That Couldn't Live Up To The Hype

10. Cody Vs Shawn Spears (AEW ALL OUT 2019)

An average match that couldn't live up to sensational hype, the showcase clash for Shawn Spears (and, tacitly, Cody's desire to be the company Ace he has gradually grown into) ended where it began - as a mistake.

August 2019's ALL OUT was the last AEW pay-per-view of the pre-Dynamite era, with the setups for major matches coming through prior events and the company's often-excellent YouTube platforms. At June's Fyter Fest Spears annihilated 'The American Nightmare' with a chair to the head. The scene was an ugly reminder of wrestling's past before a grim reveal that the (gimmicked) chair had bust Cody's dome wide open.

Spears had seethed at a throwaway remark from Cody that he was a "good hand, player coach figure", justifying the assault and a newfound bond with legendary Rhodes rival Tully Blanchard. An exceptional promo from Brandi Rhodes elevated the programme beyond the original horror, and Cody had seemingly gone full Dillon from Predator in going and being the son of a b*tch to get this thing over.

But his worked remarks were right. Spears is an excellent hand and presumably a great player coach, but their contest's overthought structure revealed a certain insecurity about it translating to a featured role. In comparison to the Tully reveal or Brandi's words - seriously click that link and let it kick the f*ck out of you - it just didn't hold up to scrutiny.