10 Moments That Will Shape Wrestling During The Next Decade
4. Cody Wins The AEW Championship
When this happens during this decade, it will have two significant impacts.
The first is that it will be the final chapter in Cody's epic journey to becoming a world champion. Sure, Cody has held the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, but this is going to be different. While claiming the Ten Pounds of Gold was an emotional moment for the former Stardust, capturing the AEW Championship will be the defining moment of his career. It will also be the first major divide in the AEW fanbase.
Two of AEW's fundamental promises were to the provide fans with a product they can buy into and to develop believable storylines fans trust AEW to stick to. When MJF threw in the towel for Cody, in his AEW title match against Chris Jericho at Full Gear, that was it. Cody made the stipulation himself; if he fails to defeat Chris Jericho for the title, he will never challenge for AEW's top prize again. If there are plans for Cody to claim the title at any point, they are going to have to book it perfectly.
Even if his title push is a masterpiece in storytelling, there will still be repercussions from Cody winning the title. While many want, arguably, the industry's best baby face to succeed, this will be the first time AEW goes back on one of its storyline stipulations.
If Cody is to claim the AEW championship, he had better be ready for some resentment from a small section of the AEW faithful.