11 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Double Or Nothing 2022

5. MJF vs. Wardlow

After all the drama of the past 24 hours, MJF did what he was always likeliest to do: he showed up and did business.

MJF hesitated to come through the entrance tunnel for just long enough to sow a few final seeds of doubt. But come through it he did, and "*sshole" chants enveloped him as soon as he hit the floor. Seconds later, Wardlow, entering to his loudest reaction since having his entrance music taken away by his now-former paymaster, brought Las Vegas to its knees. The man is on the cusp of something special. Batista "thumbs down" special.

In Jim Ross' words, MJF tried to "play every card in the deck." He was stalling before the bell and bailed out on Wardlow as soon as it rang. When the big man turned around, completely no-sold an ambush, then put MJF's head between his thighs for the Symphony's first movement, MJF was like a rat up a drainpipe.

Quickly, it became apparent MJF had nothing for Wardlow. The big man cut him off at every juncture. The inevitable Dynamite Diamond Ring spot came but a few minutes in but both Wardlow and Bryce Remsburg clocked it immediately. Seconds later, after failing to negotiate a bumper pay rise with his former bodyguard, Wardlow conducted his longest Symphony yet.

And that was that. Wardlow freed himself of the shackles.

An immensely effective piece of pro wrestling pantomime rather than a classic match, this set piece's brevity will only raise further questions on MJF's future. Let them come. Tonight, Wardlow looked like a megastar.