10 Things You Somehow Missed In AEW

2. The Dog Collar Match Teases

CM Punk
AEW

Victory lap time: your writer predicted the stipulation for the MJF Vs. CM Punk Revolution blow-off on January 6.

Both men and Tony Khan determined the destination and plotted, beautifully, the journey to arrive at it. Before taking an incredible twist with a complex, emotional exploration of modern stan culture, this was classic good guy versus bad guy stuff. The heel was a cowardly sh*t, and the babyface had to chase him around an arena just to get at him.

This fun holiday spot was a tip-off - a tone-specific comedy bit that doubled as an easter egg - as were the repeated references to Roddy Piper, who worked a blood-drenched war with Greg Valentine at Starrcade '83 under the stipulation. MJF claimed to be better than he was; Punk seethed at the suggestion. It was both trash talk and foreshadowing of the stip, and in addition to that, to arrive at the Dusty finish in the first match, MJF choked Punk out with tape to tease what would soon be wrapped around his neck.

In another great Dynamite hint, one detected elsewhere on Twitter, Punk used MJF's own scarf to trap him - mirroring the scene on March 6 - before a frantic escape was made.

 
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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!