10 Iconic Wrestling Storylines Summed Up In A Single Frame

8. Chris Jericho Vs. Cody

Bret Owen
AEW

Cody Vs. Chris Jericho was the last time a wrestling match will feel as gigantic and as important as it did. You suspect the same would be true even if the world hadn't taken a turn into unchartered grimness.

It was a great premise and a great dynamic: the two dons of AEW's early pay-per-view cycle were scheduled to face off for Jericho's AEW World Title. Cody was the heart of AEW: a genuine saviour figure beloved by his fans for making expressive, great wrestling big time again. Jericho was, in Cody's fiery, now iconic words, the "succubus" who used the platform to reimagine it in his own, egotistical image. The new hero and the desperate (but formidable) jackass sold this as a super fight through incredible babyface promos, skits that were hilarious, but deep enough to hurt, and fantastic tweaks on old wrestling classics. One was a tense subversion of the contract signing, the other a super entertaining concessions stand brawl.

At its climax, Jericho, the irresistible jackass that he is, insisted that he couldn't be thrown out. He had a ticket, and to be a real jackass about it, he licked his head and stuck it to it. The imagery, if intended, was on the nose - but no less potent or earned.

This feud was the hottest ticket in wrestling in years.

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!