10 Most Badass Wrestling Threats EVER

9. ...And So Was This

Eddie Kingston
AEW

The Codyverse saga wasn't ideal.

It was a downgrade from Cody's sensational 2019, during which - and go back and watch those first Dynamite shows if this scans as hyperbole - he was considered the saviour of mainstream professional wrestling. A not inconsiderable subgroup of AEW fans had tired of his histrionics by 2021, and didn't understand (or wish to understand) that Cody performed situationally. It was ironic; Cody had insisted for years that wrestling characters should not be received with such a binary babyface/heel distinction, and when he finally managed to do so, the results were messier than they were transformative.

In a further irony, he has enjoyed another sensational 2022, in WWE, playing a trad babyface role.

There was a certain fascination to the Codyverse, and the run yielded several highlights - though the best moment arrived when his coach Arn Anderson wondered aloud what the hell he was playing at, which probably says a lot. His instant meme generator of a promo was incredible. Technically, mind, the threat was an anecdote. Arn said that in the hypothetical scenario of his being carjacked, he'd "pull out the glock and spill his brains all over the concrete," where Cody would meekly give up the vehicle.

Still, this worked as a threat to his charge: stop untying your boots and looking for sympathy like a bitch, or I'll give up on you.

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!