WWE rival AEW hints at Dynamite that dethroned World Champion MJF could be done with the league – and introduces a new addition.
The identity of the “Devil” has been revealed, MJF is no longer World Champion – now WWE rival AEW is teasing a new question hanging over everything: What will become of the dethroned young star?
After former friend and partner Adam Cole stabbed the struggling MJF in the back and cost him the title at World’s End, the former WWE star addressed the fans on the TV show Dynamite, introducing his new group and claiming: “MJF is gone – and he’s never coming back!”
Even before the show, AEW had also caused a stir by removing the profile of MJF – whose 2019 five-year contract with the WWE rival expires this year – from the league’s official homepage.
AEW Dynamite: Adam Cole justifies betrayal of MJF
For the record, MJF’s unlikely friendship with title rival Cole had transformed him from arch-villain to crowd favorite last year.
Cole, however, helped heavyweight Samoa Joe win the title against Joe over the weekend – and then revealed himself as the mysterious “Devil” who had haunted MJF in recent months.
At Dynamite, Cole now revealed the name of his new alliance of his own companions and old enemies of MJF (Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Wardlow), which he introduced as the “Undisputed Kingdom.”
Cole – still out of action with a serious ankle injury – announced that all of his new, old friends would soon be champions. He also outlined the scenario of MJF’s ex-bodyguard Wardlow setting his sights on the World Title – leaving it to Cole once he’s fit again.
Cole presents himself as a liberator from AEW
Cole’s motivation for betraying MJF was that it was time to free AEW from MJF’s damaging grip – and that he would only have done what MJF would have done anyway if he felt he no longer needed him.
In fact, it turned out that MJF would have needed Cole: It was only thanks to his friendship with him, thanks to the cult surrounding “Better than you, Bay-Bay” that fans would have discovered their love for MJF.
The friendship was actually sincere, Cole would have sacrificed his health for MJF – but in the end Cole couldn’t avoid the realization that he couldn’t rely on someone like MJF. Fans, colleagues and AEW boss Tony Khan would sooner or later be grateful that they were now rid of MJF.
MJF vs. Adam Cole II at All-In in London?
The storyline surrounding MJF’s possible end with AEW plays into the real-life concerns about MJF’s health that had recently arisen due to a serious shoulder injury – but also MJF’s expiring contract and his repeated flirtations with WWE.
However, as offensive as AEW has been about MJF’s departure, only the opposite can happen in the end: A return of MJF and a showdown with Cole seems like the logical scenario for AEW’s highlight of the year: the second edition of the mega-show All In at London’s Wembley Stadium on August 25.
MJF and Cole faced each other for the title at the premiere of the mega-event, and both should be fit again by the time the new edition takes place at the same venue.
The title, which has gone to veteran Joe for the time being, may be at stake again – which, as the Wrestling Observer reports, has been the plan for some time, regardless of MJF’s current injury problems
Deonna Purrazzo signs and debuts
Another title match of the future has been set up by AEW at Dynamite with the debut of a new addition: Former WWE talent Deonna Purrazzo made her AEW debut at home in New Jersey, taking on Women’s Champion Toni Storm by attacking her ally Mariah May
AEW boss Khan confirmed afterward that he has signed the former TNA / Impact women’s champ to a permanent contract.