WWE/AEW: 5 best promos of 2019

1. Cody’s Hard Times

Cody’s babyface run for AEW has been a godsend to the wrestling industry and far better than anyone expected, even in considering Cody’s pedigree. Not trying to blow too much smoke up his bum, but the way Cody has perfected his role in such jaw dropping fashion has been nothing less than impressive.

Cody cut a lot of tremendous promos under the AEW banner this year and the number one spot could have been occupied by any one of them, including a more recent one toward MJF or even his post-match promo against Dustin at Double or Nothing. However, this promo from the sixth episode of Dynamite was just too perfect to deny.

Cody’s promo not only evoked the same energy and emotion that his father created decades prior with his infamous “Hard Times” promo, but it’s in many ways a perfect antithesis to Hard Times as well.

While Dusty tried to sell how he earned the right as a poor man to challenge a rich man like Ric Flair, Cody tried to sell how despite growing up with money, he’s earned his place as someone “undeniable” in this industry. He doesn’t come off as selfish or egotistical as a heel, but perfectly humble and self aware of where he stands as both AEW’s top booker and the next challenger to the AEW Championship.

He starts off as perfectly reserved, then bursts out with passionate anger the more he tries to get his point across.

It’s brilliant and the best wrestling promo that I have seen all year round.