10 Upcoming Wrestling Stories That Are Already Doomed

9. Adam Cole vs. MJF

The Rock Cody Rhodes
AEW

When MJF returned from his five-month AEW absence at Double or Nothing 2024, it was as a babyface seeking vengeance against a heel Adam Cole. In kayfabe, Cole and his Undisputed Kingdom group were behind MJF's absence, placing them in the Salt of the Earth's crosshairs at DoN, where he put a still-injured Cole down and announced his long-term AEW future.

Cole has been off AEW television ever since, still struggling with his ailments. Naturally, a reprised MJF feud is how he'd return. The trouble is MJF has since turned heel opposite the likes of Daniel Garcia and Will Ospreay. Cole returning as an immediate babyface would hurt the storyline, given it started with Cole turning on and betraying Max to close their long-running 2023 storyline.

To avoid this, AEW may seek to use DoN 2024 as a definitive end for MJF and Cole. Doing so would leave the threads hanging, however, which is unlike the Tony Khan-helmed group.

There's also the small matter of the divisive reception to the last few months of Cole and MJF's story, which leaned into an occasionally slapstick, Sports Entertainment presentation style, to a portion of the audience's chagrin. Those people aren't likely to receive the next chapter with open arms.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.