10 Greatest Promos In Modern Wrestling History

2. Cody Rhodes Embodies AEW

Cody Rhodes AEW
Fite TV

If Jon Moxley had to save AEW's soul in 2022, Cody Rhodes birthed it in 2019.

Or he articulated it, at least. While he wasn't solely responsible for the group effort that led to AEW's formation, he was the self-anointed face of the Revolution. He whipped up the fanbase with his rhetoric to such an extent that he may well be responsible for the ongoing AEW Vs. WWE culture war. As exhausting as the modern online wrestling fandom experience is, Cody's work was crucial. As the cult leader, he made sure that the AEW base had something great and transformative to believe in.

On the go-home Dynamite before Full Gear '19, he sold his match with Chris Jericho as a war for the fledgling promotion's soul. Speaking with a tearful intensity, he refused to let something so special - something that granted the wishes of the fans and the workers alike - fall under the sway of that "carny succubus". He said he'd never again compete for the AEW World title in the event of his defeat. Building the stakes, a stipulation, a main event and an ethos, all in one promo, this was a masterclass.

No less an authority than the Rock put over Cody's "Rhythm, cadence, tone, intent, passion [and] execution" on Twitter. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that the promo should be taught in wrestling schools the world over.

At the time, Cody's jump to WWE felt unfathomable. This promo was why; he was All Elite Wrestling.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!