WrestleDream 2023: MJF def. The Righteous def. MJF(c) in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship
During the All In Zero Hour pre-show, Better Than You Bay Bay won the ROH World Tag Team Championship. At Rampage: Grand Slam on September 22, The Righteous (Dutch and Vincent) won a four-way tag team match to earn a title match at WrestleDream. However, two days prior at Dynamite: Grand Slam, as Cole came out to support MJF in his AEW World Championship match against Samoa Joe, Cole broke his foot jumping off the entrance ramp.
The following week, Better Than You Bay Bay initially announced that they would have to relinquish the ROH World Tag Team Championship, but MJF instead decided that he would defend the titles against The Righteous with a mystery partner to be named at WrestleDream.
In the opening stages, Vincent and Dutch delivered a ripcord lariat/basement flatliner combination for a two count. Dutch and Vincent then performed a Bossman Slam/Swanton Bomb for a nearfall. As Vincent attempted another Swanton Bomb, Wardlow entered from the crowd and powerbombed Dutch on the outside, allowing MJF to move out of the way and deliver a bodyslam to Vincent.
MJF then hit the Kangaroo Kick to Vincent and followed up with a Heat Seeker (with MJF’s feet on the ropes, unbeknownst to the referee thanks to Wardlow’s distraction), and pinned him for the win.
Full Gear 2023
On the September 27 episode of Dynamite, Jay White interrupted MJF. White claimed that he was ultimately responsible for MJF and Adam Cole’s friendship and subsequent teaming as Better Than You Bay Bay, as Cole had gotten injured in their match at the 2022 Forbidden Door, with Cole becoming involved with MJF after returning the following year.
White then claimed that he would take the AEW World Championship from MJF. The following week, White, along with Bullet Club Gold stablemates Juice Robinson and The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn), attacked MJF. White subsequently stole the AEW World Championship belt and challenged MJF for the title at Full Gear and MJF accepted.
Additionally, on the October 24 episode, The Gunns stated they wanted a match against MJF for the ROH World Tag Team Championship at Full Gear, which MJF accepted. On October 30, it was announced that MJF and Wardlow would defend the tag title against The Gunns during the Full Gear Zero Hour pre-show.
After weeks of refusing to help MJF from beatdowns, Wardlow finally saved him on the November 17 episode of Rampage before revealing he had reunited with MJF in exchange for a future AEW World Championship match.
MJF & Wardlow(c) def. The Gunns to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship on the Zero Hour pre-show
During the match, as The Gunns attempted the 3:10 to Wardlow, MJF intercepted them with a double DDT. The Gunns then delivered 3:10 to Wardlow only for MJF to break up the pin attempt. Wardlow later powerbombed and pinned Colten, thus allowing MJF and Wardlow to retain the title. Following the match, ardlow left MJF to be attacked by The Gunns with a chair on his leg several times. Medical personnel then tended to MJF.
MJF(c) (with Adam Cole) defeated Jay White (with The Gunns) to retain the AEW World Championship
In the main event, a returning Adam Cole came out to accompany the injured MJF as he defended his title. During the match, as The Gunns attempted to attack MJF again with a chair, the referee noticed and ejected them from ringside. MJF bit White in the face and delivered a Kangaroo Kick. White then performed an uranage on MJF for a nearfall.
As MJF placed White on the announce table, the table collapsed, but MJF still performed a diving elbow drop on White onto the remnants of the table. White then performed a dragon screw to MJF in between the ropes and an uranage for a nearfall. White then delivered a Complete Shot and a deadlift German suplex to MJF for a nearfall.
As White attempted the Bladerunner, MJF countered it with a schoolboy pin for a nearfall. MJF delivered a tombstone piledriver and a running cutter to the outside to White for another nearfall. White then applied the figure four leglock on MJF, however, MJF reversed it and White escaped. Unbeknownst to the referee, White collected the ROH World Tag Team Championship belt and struck MJF with it for a nearfall.
As White then kicked MJF’s leg repeatedly, the referee tried to stop White, after which, White stumbled and accidentally incapacitated the referee. As Cole then inadvertently slid the AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring to White, MJF delivered a low blow on White.
Austin and Colten then returned, they were tossed out of the ring by an interferring Wardlow. In the end, MJF then attacked White with the Dynamite Diamond Ring to retain the title and go a full year as AEW World Champion. The PPV closed with MJF being taken on a stretcher and in an ambulance while Cole shoved Wardlow.
World’s End 2023: Wardlow def. MJF(c) (with Adam Cole) to win the AEW World Championship
On the subsequent episode of Dynamite, despite Cole trying to convince him not to keep his promise, MJF said he would defend the AEW World Championship against Wardlow that night, but Wardlow declined as he instead wanted to face a healed up MJF in the main event at Worlds End in MJF’s hometown of Long Island, and MJF accepted.
In the opening stages, Wardlow delivered a powerbomb before letting MJF for a two-count. MJF then performed an inside cradle on Wardlow for a two-count. Wardlow then another powerbomb but MJF got his foot on the ropes. MJF later performed a Heatseeker on Wardlow for a two-count.
MJF attempted another Heatseeker, but Wardlow muscled him onto his shoulders. MJF then landed a sunset flip powerbomb to Wardlow while on his shoulders for a two-count. Wardlow attempted a third powerbomb, but MJF pushed him into the referee.
MJF then delivered an avalanche Death Valley Driver to Wardlow for a nearfall. MJF then asked Cole to give him his Dynamite Diamond Ring, but Wardlow used the opportunity and hit MJF with a fourth Powerbomb to then become the new champion.
After the match, Cole attempted to console MJF. The Devil’s Masked Men then appeared and attempted to attack Cole and MJF. The lights went out and came back on and Samoa Joe was sitting on a chair with the Masked Men. The Masked Men were then revealed to be Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Wardlow, with Joe then revealed as The Devil. Strong then hit a jumping knee strike to MJF and Joe locked MJF in the Coquina Clutch until he passed out while Cole watched in horror as the show closed.
The following episode of Dynamite began with Wardlow stating that he would be taking everything from anyone who tried to dethrone him for the AEW World Championship.
Also on Dynamite, The Kingdom (Strong, Taven and Bennett) expressed remorse for betraying Cole but taunted MJF and stated that he would never be coming back, claiming they did their friend a favor. Joe also stated that it was a pleasure doing business with Wardlow, but said that he would eventually defeated him to win the AEW World Championship.
Revolution 2024
Hook (with Chris Jericho) def. “Hangman” Adam Page, Swerve Strickland, Powerhouse Hobbs, Lance Archer (with Jake Roberts), Brian Cage (with Prince Nana), Magnus & Dante Martin in a All-Star Scramble match
In the opening stages, Dante delivered a suicide dive to Hobbs and Magnus performed a tornillo dive to Archer. Dante then hit a frog splash to Cage. Magnus delivered a cutter to Hangman for a two count. Magnus performed a double underhook backbreaker and a running double knees in the corner to Dante.
Archer then chokeslammed Magnus, while Swerve and Magnus performed stereo lionsaults to Archer. Hook delivered German suplexes to Cage, Archer, Magnus, and Dante. Hangman then performed a Buckshot Lariat to Swerve, but Hobbs broke up the pin attempt. Hobbs then delivered the World’s Most Dangerous Slam to Hangman on the floor.
Cage then hit a jumping knee strike and the F-10 to Swerve. Hook then delivered a sliding lariat and a Northern Lights suplex to Cage. Hook then performed a Judas Effect and a T-Bone Suplex to Hobbs and then delivered The Red Rum to Dante for the submission victory to receive a future AEW World Championship match.
Wardlow(c) def. Samoa Joe (with Mike Bennett and Matt Taven) to retain the AEW World Championship
Wardlow appeared at Dynamite: Homecoming on January 10, 2024 and was confronted Joe, Strickland and Page, who laid claim to the title. After Joe, Strickland and Page went undefeated through January and were placed first, second and third in the title contendership rankings, a match between the two was scheduled for the February 7 episode of Dynamite to determine who would face Joe the following week for the right to a title match at Revolution. Their match went to a 30-minute time limit draw; as a result, Joe in turn was named the sole challenger for Wardlow’s AEW World Championship at Revolution.
In the end, as Joe was looking for a Muscle Buster, Wardlow countered it into a powerbomb. As Wardlow was looking for another powerbomb (as in the Powerbomb Symphony), Joe rolled up Wardlow for a two-count, and immediately delivered a lariat. As Joe was looking for the Coquina Clutch, Wardlow escaped and delivered a lariat of his own before performing a Powerbomb Symphony to retain the title.
After the match, Joe offered Wardlow a handshake only to be attacked from behind by Bennett and Taven. Wardlow then joined in, revealing The Kingdom’s allegiance had switched from Joe to him. Adam Cole was then seen watching from the stage in disgust before leaving.
Dynasty 2024: Wardlow(c) def. FTW Champion Hook (with Chris Jericho) in a FTW Rules Match to retain the AEW World Championship
In the opening stages, Hook delivered a Judas Effect and a T-Bone suplex to Wardlow. Hook delivered a German suplex to Wardlow on the floor. Wardlow delivered a Powerbomb to Hook onto a trash can. Wardlow attempted a superplex, but Hook countered it into an avalanche T-bone suplex through a table for a two-count.
Hook put the trash can on Wardlow’s head, smacked it multiple times with a kendo stick and then delivered another T-bone suplex to him for a two-count. Hook delivered another northern lights suplex, but Wardlow responded with a lariat. Hook attempted RedRum, but Wardlow reversed it into a another lariat and then a Swanton Bomb for a two-count.
Wardlow hit another powerbomb on Hook for a two-count. After Hook gave the middle finger to Wardlow, he responded to hit him with a third powerbomb to retain the championship. Following the match, Jericho and Adam Cole tended to Hook while The Kingdom celebrated with Wardlow.
Double or Nothing 2024: Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) def. Wardlow(c) (with The Kingdom) to win the AEW World Championship
Following Revolution, Strickland accumulated wins throughout March to rise back up in the contendership rankings. Following his victory over Christian Cage at Dynasty, it finally positioned him as the number one contender for the AEW World Championship, and the title match was scheduled for Double or Nothing.
During a confrontation with The Kingdom on the May 8 episode of Dynamite, Swerve’s Mogul Embassy stablemates would turn on him as a result of his condemning The Elite for their actions against Tony Khan.
In the opening stages, Strickland attempted a suicide dive, but Wardlow caught him and delivered an F-10 onto the announce table. Strickland performed a Fosbury Flop, but Wardlow responded with a spinebuster onto the concrete. Wardlow performed a Tijeras and a lariat for a two-count. Strickland delivered a German suplex to Wardlow for a two-count.
Strickland delivered a rolling flatliner for a two-count. Joe then delivered a headbutt to Strickland and then the Swanton Bomb for a two-count. Strickland then delivered the House Call, a 450° splash and a Swerve Stomp to Wardlow for a nearfall. Strickland attempted to hit Wardlow with the title belt, but Wardlow avoided it and attempted a powerbomb.
Strickland escaped by snapping Wardlow’s arm and then hit the House Call for a two-count. Strickland delivered a sunset flip powerbomb and then the Swerve Stomp for the three-count, ending Wardlow’s reign at 148 days, and making Strickland the first African-American world champion in AEW.
After the match, The Kingdom attempted to ambush Swerve only for Adam Cole to make the save. Cole then cut a promo saying that he shouldn’t be out there, he should be hanging with MJF, instead of being here. Nobody had any idea how much they have been through, and they are the best of their generation, claiming both have a little devil inside all of us. Cole was impeded with a video of a man’s house, including the Dynamite Diamond Ring, MJF’s Burberry scarf and a poker chip.
The lights then went out and MJF’s music hit, marking MJF’s first AEW appearance since Worlds End in December 2023. MJF made his way to the ring, low-blowed Cole and delivered a brainbuster to him, turning heel. MJF then said that he gave Cole his trust and he would never do so again as it made him stupid and weak, blaming his not seeing Wardlow, Joe and The Kingdom’s plot on him.
MJF then pulled out his own devil mask. MJF then said ” No one is on the level of the devil. This stupid, goofy, grotesque, mask, and everything else it symbolizes can go straight to hell”. MJF then tosses the mask in the crowd. He said that he has been betting on himself since day one, and in regards to his contract status, MJF showed a tattoo on his calf that says “Bet on Yourself” with an AEW casino chip, and then says he isn’t leaving AEW.
The End.
Credit: Reddit user DGenerationMC
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