5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (23 Mar)

3. Wardlow, Shelved

MJF AEW
AEW

The latest development in the twisting saga of MJF and Wardlow was perfect.

Still holding the keys to Wardlow's destiny, MJF promised to take everything from a man he claimed to have given everything, shelving his employee forever. From now on, Wardlow will be paid to sit at home. When you sign a deal with the devil, it is iron-clad, MJF explained, and though Wardlow raged against a dozen security guards on the outside, there was nothing he could do to avoid a decision passed down by the guy signing his paycheques.

Moves like this will ultimately lead to a bigger payoff down the road. Wardlow is going to find a way to get out of his MJF contract, because of course he is, but the grim reality of his kayfabe situation is that as of right now, he is utterly screwed. In MJF's mind, there's nothing Wardlow can do. He's going to leave the big man gathering mothballs until the entire world has forgotten about him.

This, paired with the seeds planted for another CM Punk match and MJF's not-entirely-convincing assertion that The Pinnacle is still a thing, made for another money segment from one of AEW's biggest money players.

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.