10 Ups & 7 Downs For AEW In 2020 (So Far)

5. 10 Lashes

MJF Cody
AEW

Cody's brand of melodrama occasionally yields disappointment. Double Or Nothing is the prime example of this: his bout with Lance Archer wasn't bad, but was overbooked in the extreme, blighted by its excessive bells and whistles where previous 'American Nightmare' matches have been enhanced. It could have done with some trimming, both in terms of length and layout.

No, Cody isn't a perfect pro-wrestler: but he is capable of crafting perfect moments, as witnessed in the 10 lashes segment with MJF.

This was an angle without flaw. It was a brutal, gutwrenching, and torturous ordeal, during which the viewer felt the full weight of every snapping blow from MJF's belt. The villain was mean and overbearing; the victim was in hell. Cody's emoting, selling, and sense of struggle as he writhed in agony and continue struggled to his feet, never once backing down, evoked unreal sympathy, and the end result was the most emotional segment the sport will produce all year.

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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.