10 AEW Matches We Most Want To See

7. Michael Nakazawa Vs. MJF

Kenny Omega PAC
AEW

There is but one flaw in MJF's incredible, eye-catching act: he is too piss-funny to truly despise. He is the absolute best.

The broad wrestling audience participates in wrestling more than they immerse themselves in it. If the work is great, there is more of an inclination to respond as suggested to the narrative. But MJF is just too involuntarily funny, and it's telling that the hopeful Double Or Nothing spot, in which Jimmy Havoc and Jungle Boy marched him out of the arena, didn't receive a booming reaction.

Say, in 2020, MJF earns a shot at AEW World Champion Hangman Page, or wrestles him in a number one contender's match, whatever. If he cuts more of that absolute gold, the dynamic is sort of f*cked...

...unless he pulverises the stupidly charming Michael Nakazawa on the weekly TV show first, after the DDT legend lathers him in baby oil and puts him on his a*se. It's difficult to reconcile AEW's cast of comedy characters with its serious, sports-oriented mission statement. Using comedy as a vehicle with which to drive main event matters is a less taxing solution.

As for the MJF Vs. Hangman match...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!