Predicting The First 10 AEW World Champions

3. Cody

AEW Chris Jericho
AEW

The above image represents what Cody's first AEW World Championship reign would ideally be, and it has nothing to do with f*cking The Revival.

Cody should only hold the strap for a cup of coffee. He's a company executive whose situation differs from Kenny Omega's in that 'The Best Bout Machine' is one of the most electric performers on the planet. This makes a lengthy Omega reign much easier to swallow, though Cody's AEW performances so far have been those of a showman par excellence.

Current AEW storylines appear to be setting Cody up for a long-term MJF programme. They're "best friends" at the moment, with Friedman leaping to his mentor's defence in the ongoing Shawn Spears storyline, but it's f*ckin' MJF. Of course he's going to betray 'The American Nightmare' at some point.

Cody and MJF will clash many, many times before this proposed bout. In this scenario, their rivalry will be reprised for a major World Championship storyline concluding with Cody taking the gold in a moment reminiscent of his NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship triumph over Nick Aldis. Pure pantomime brilliance.

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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.