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 . <EOS>