AEW's whole point was to force WWE to get good. After Roman stopped working the ratings into a seething shoot, and Triple H and TKO took command, there was no point in AEW's continued existence. It was a pressure group, and pretty much anyone besides the Yung Cucks and Tony Khan were keenly aware of this. Cody was also aware, hence the sledgehammer shot which worked to put publicity on HHH and on himself.