10 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jan 22)
3. Get In The Sea
MJF was served a big plate of comeuppance for the first time in his AEW career last night, as Cody and The Young Bucks teamed up to throw 'The Salt of the Earth' in the swimming pool after a typically goading promo.
It was no less than he deserved. MJF was rubbing the no contact stipulation in Cody's face, playing the bell-end as he offered 'The American Nightmare' the stick, then dropped it, before booting it away when Cody reached down. Of course Cody couldn't attack MJF, but his buddies could. The Young Bucks attacked from behind, MJF went for a dunk, and the crowd loved it.
This was MJF's fault - and that's primarily why it worked. Wardlow wasn't on the cruise. Assuming the stipulation would keep him safe, MJF had his muscle stay at home and train for Cody rather than showing up. If the big man was there, it's hard to imagine The Elite being so brazen, and Friedman sure as hell won't leave him at home again.
Yes, The Elite were kind of d*cks here, but the Bucks have always been d*cks. This worked, resonated with the live crowd, and left MJF with a lesson learned. Don't leave your meat shield at home.