A combustor defining an axial centerline, the combustor comprising: an end cover; an aft frame; a combustion liner extending between the end cover and the aft frame and defining a combustion chamber; at least one fuel nozzle extending from the end cover and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; an outer sleeve spaced apart from and surrounding the combustion liner such that an annulus is defined therebetween, and wherein the outer sleeve defines at least one aperture; an airflow blockage extending at least partially through the annulus, wherein the airflow blockage is one of a crossfire tube, a flame detector, an igniter, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or an axial fuel staging injector; and a wake energizer that is disposed forward of the airflow blockage, the wake energizer defining at least one passage that is angled with respect to the axial centerline of the combustor, wherein the airflow blockage creates a flow wake within the annulus, and wherein the at least one passage of the wake energizer is configured to inject a stream of air forward of the airflow blockage to diffuse the flow wake within the annulus, characterized in that the wake energizer defines a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, a forward surface, an aft surface, and side surfaces, wherein the wake energizer is mounted on the outer sleeve and extending radially outward from the outer sleeve, wherein the radially inner surface is contoured to correspond with the outer sleeve, and wherein the at least one passage of the wake energizer is aligning and in fluid communication with the at least one aperture of the outer sleeve. an end cover; an aft frame; a combustion liner extending between the end cover and the aft frame and defining a combustion chamber; at least one fuel nozzle extending from the end cover and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; an outer sleeve spaced apart from and surrounding the combustion liner such that an annulus is defined therebetween, and wherein the outer sleeve defines at least one aperture; an airflow blockage extending at least partially through the annulus, wherein the airflow blockage is one of a crossfire tube, a flame detector, an igniter, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or an axial fuel staging injector; and a wake energizer that is disposed forward of the airflow blockage, the wake energizer defining at least one passage that is angled with respect to the axial centerline of the combustor, wherein the airflow blockage creates a flow wake within the annulus, and wherein the at least one passage of the wake energizer is configured to inject a stream of air forward of the airflow blockage to diffuse the flow wake within the annulus, characterized in that the wake energizer defines a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, a forward surface, an aft surface, and side surfaces, wherein the wake energizer is mounted on the outer sleeve and extending radially outward from the outer sleeve, wherein the radially inner surface is contoured to correspond with the outer sleeve, and wherein the at least one passage of the wake energizer is aligning and in fluid communication with the at least one aperture of the outer sleeve.