MJF Sends Wardlow Packing On AEW Dynamite
Pinnacle head to pay Mr. Mayhem to sit at home until he's forgotten by fans.
Ever since Wardlow turned on Maxwell Jacob Friedman at AEW Revolution, questions have loomed large about what would happen regarding MJF's contract with Mr. Mayhem, as Wardlow doesn't technically work for AEW - he works directly for MJF.
Wardlow has asked to be released from the contract, but on Dynamite on Wednesday, MJF flatly refused. He noted that the contract is ironclad and pledged to make his former bodyguard's life "a living hell." MJF suggested that he could simply boss Wardlow around, using the old cliché about telling someone to jump and they ask, "How high?"
But then Wardlow stalked to the ring to get at MJF. Once about 10 security guards managed to hold him back, MJF revealed his plan: He's going to pay Wardlow to stay at home until the fans forget about him, whether it takes weeks, months, or longer. He then had the War Dog removed from the arena, presumably beginning his exile.
#MrMayhem @RealWardlow isn't taking kindly to @The_MJF's words here on #AEWDynamite! We are LIVE on TBS! pic.twitter.com/YabWr5z2KY
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 24, 2022
Wardlow won the AEW Face of the Revolution ladder match at the recent PPV, then finally turned on MJF when he refused to provide Friedman with the diamond ring during his dog collar match against CM Punk. Last week on Dynamite, MJF returned the favor, costing Wardlow his match for the TNT Championship and then pummeling him afterwards.
This breakup and feud has been simmering for a while now, so it's understandable that AEW might want to artificially cool it off slightly, which might lead fans to want him more in his absence. The banishment also could allow Wardlow to find ways to torment MJF from afar in the interim.
Regardless, this is just the beginning of this rivalry, not the end.