Just "real quick", since I suppose Cody is probably the only wrestler in the company that somewhat bugs me at the moment (Triple H allusions aside)...
I'd say that his record doesn't really reflect the issue. It's wrestling. It's how he books himself as a character. I actually wouldn't even say it reminds me as much of Triple H as it kind reminds me a tiny bit of Hogan in WCW...
He's lost two singles matches in a year and if we're being technical, he's really only lost one. Let's remember: he lost to Jericho because MJF threw the towel in and then stabbed him in the back. Then, he lost dirty to MJF.
Not a problem. What is? He's a bit blatant in how he makes an effort to push his angles/match to the top of the card as far as importance goes.
First shot ever at AEW title: "If I lose, I will never challenge for the title again."
Won't even go into Butcher/Blade...or even the heelish weight belt rule-bending, brother.
MJF stipulations: Two of those segments main-evented Dynamite in the lead-up to the PPV. Good segments, but this was all while Mox was making his run up to Jericho. Ideally, this won't be a discussion, but if fans start getting the vibe that Mox is getting diminished in favor of The Elite, it'll be Punk's 434-day reign all over again.
Speaking of the MJF match: live band, valet Brandi, coach Arn, Stephen Amell, Downstait live, and an entourage for that entrance, but it's whatever.
TNT title match: We've got the debut of Jake The Snake and who's he looking for? It's Cody. Arn & Jake sit down to talk about...Cody. Jake attacks Cody's wife. Archer murders his brother. We've got Mike Tyson here to give the new title to...you guessed it.
...and him having that belt is fine. I'd never say that he isn't really good in the ring or over. With booking, he just gives off the vibe that he knows he's affiliated with guys that were The Elite before he ever linked up with them and he feels like he has to be over the top with bells & whistles. Even in his match with Darby, he has his wife getting shotgunned into the guardrail only for her to come back to give him water (why, breh?) and then they're both back again for the main event as he debates throwing in the towel for his bro.
Maybe Miley Cyrus is the better comparison. Solid talent with a fanbase that loves her and a family name that works well enough in her industry. "The Climb" or "Wrecking Ball" were his matches with Dustin and Darby...
...then he started twerking. Sure, he still pulled out a "We Can't Stop" at Full Gear and in the build to MJF, but no need for all the extras.
