11 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jan 1)

5. Hurdle After Hurdle After Hurdle

MJF Wardlow
AEW

Dynamite's other big pre-advertised angle was MJF announcing the stipulations for his upcoming match with Cody, and, well... they're pretty outrageous.

MJF will wrestle Cody at Revolution (29 February), the heel announced, but only if 'The American Nightmare' can resist the urge to lay a finger on him between now and then. A tough one in itself. Then, MJF compounded his rival's predicament by stating that he'd also have to face the burly Wardlow inside a steel cage, as well as getting down on all fours and taking ten lashes from 'The Salt of the Earth's' belt, because Maxwell Jacob Friedman, if you hadn't already realised, is a complete piece of sh*t.

"As the leather of my belt repeatedly rips off your skin, each scar will be a reminder for the rest of your days that I am Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and I'm better than you - and you know it," MJF said, capping a typically excellent promo from AEW's most obnoxious heel.

This is a classic feud layout, with the arrogant villain throwing down hurdle after hurdle for the babyface to leap over. Each stipulation feels like a great way to keep the duo apart for two months. On top of this, we're finally getting a Wardlow match! Let's see what this big beefy boy can do.

Advertisement
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.