The end of MJF’s AEW World Championship reign could have been much different had injuries not derailed the promotion’s initial plans.
MJF’s record-breaking reign came to an end at AEW Worlds End in December 2023 at the hands of Samoa Joe. The night went from bad to worse for the ‘Scumbag’ of AEW as after the match he was attacked by the Devil’s henchman, revealed to be Wardlow, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Roderick Stong. The Devil was revealed to be Adam Cole who due to his leg injury did not get physical on the night.
MJF and Adam Cole
There had been plans for Cole and MJF to wrestle each other in late 2023, Fightful Select reports, with the reveal of the Devil obviously planned to happen earlier than it did. Cole had even been considered for a possible title victory over MJF but that did not happen due to his injury. The two did face off in the main event of AEW All In inside Wembley Stadium in a match where MJF retained.
A Future Match?
At AEW Double or Nothing 2024, MJF returned to TV and confronted Cole with both men getting physical in their segment. While this led many to speculate that a match would be happening soon, Fightful reports that a match is far from a reality. Cole is “not near” an in-ring return and all those involved wanted a way to blow the feud and turn off in the meantime until that can happen.
The creative plans shared with those in AEW are said to be “out of left field” but they are confident things will work out very well. At Double or Nothing, MJF made clear he’s staying with AEW and has cemented his status with the company with a tattoo.