Well he'll never be Dusty. But really no one could be.This means he’s not over though. That’s why Cena beat everyone and Roman. Top guy supposed to make you interesting, not the other way around.
Cody’s problem was Dusty’s biggest weapon, the lisp. Cody has fake delivery cause he took acting lessons to hide his lisp. Every word he speaks sounds like a politician, slow and deliberate.
Cody got over initially because he worked with a legit injury in WWE's most dangerous match and won. Then he came back and won the Rumble. It was perfect booking and all Cody had to do was cut good babyface promos about chasing the title. He did this in AEW and got crazy over too then cut himself off and ruined his run.
He really is the only top guy in a long time I can think of that got over organically that the company didn't try to tamper with or ruined with bs.
The fans are with him now but my concern is if he can keep things interesting weekly.
If Cody can run with the title through the summer and things still feel hot then that's all the validation needed for him as the guy.