9 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Apr 22)

3. Cody Sets The Tone

Cody AEW
AEW

Gone was Jake 'The Snake' Roberts this week, replaced in his cold open spot by Cody, who cut a strong, tone-setting diatribe to kick the night off right.

This was all about the TNT Championship tournament. Surrounded by video screens, 'The American Nightmare' put all his potential opponents over, then found himself questioning his own identity. He claimed that one can't be future endeavoured and not show the endeavour to rebound, wondering if he broke Triple H's throne because he was afraid of sitting it, adding that "complacency is the ally of the top guy." A flicker of doubt from a generally confident character, suggesting self-awareness.

A good promo rather than a great one, Cody's segment was AEW once again using the cold open to great effect, making the TNT Title Tournament feel like an important deal. This wasn't an egomaniac hogging the spotlight for himself but a guy shining a light on everyone else and the belt itself - as it should have been.

Advertisement
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.