10 Things You Somehow Missed In AEW

6. MJF Foreshadows Major Storyline

AEW Ghostbusters
AEW

The actual programme did not begin until after All Out 2020 - before which MJF deftly foreshadowed it.

During his presidential address promo - one of the very best cut throughout the pandemic - MJF promised to rid AEW of its unruly brawler of a World champion (foreshadowing also the unique layout of the eventual match). He also wished to rid the promotion of its crowd-pleasing spot monkeys, further expressing his desire to reimagine AEW in his own technically-minded image, and he wanted to do it for "25 years".

He then encouraged the audience to do "do the math".

He is 25 years younger than Chris Jericho, and their entire saga of a programme was premised on the idea that MJF was going to take his spot and better his legendary run, which ultimately led to the retirement stip at All Out 2021 - meaning this feud was laid out intricately well over a calendar year in advance and plotted with an endlessly intriguing mystery that enchanted fans with rare, actually worthwhile debates.

Would MJF take over the Inner Circle?

Would he lead his own splinter version of it (he did mention a "wolf pack" on the September 8, 2020 Dynamite)?

Or did his ambiguous words relate in some way to a certain other development teased throughout that year?

On the subject of which...

 
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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!