10 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jun 24)

Downs...

2. Press Conference Falls Flat

Cody Jake Hager press conference
AEW

Putting Cody in a pre-match press conference ahead of his Fyter Fest collision with Jake Hager sounds like an easy win, particularly as the presentation aped mixed martial arts very closely, though this warmup segment failed to heap additional heat on a match that desperately needed it.

Hager didn't show up on time. This left Arn Anderson and Cody to field questions from Pro Wrestling Illustrated, with Arn suggesting Hager either doubts himself or is too stupid to show up and put on a brave front. Cody, meanwhile, talked about the TNT Championship representing hope, talking up last week's opponent (Ricky Starks), but with the usual fire he brings on the microphone. Hager then stepped through with his wife and faced off with Cody, pushing his fist against the champ's jaw. Catalina threw a glass of water in Cody's face and that was that.

This was weirdly flat, with Cody's promo failing to hit and neither man coming off any stronger for their participation. Okay, showing up late makes Jake look like an *sshole, but we knew that already.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.