It takes quite a bit of generosity to give this an Up without a significant qualifier, but MJF's performance of the much-loved meme was so impressive that it only seems fair to meet in the middle.
Filmed seven days ago in the trainers room, MJF managed to recite-and-upgrade the legendary "Steiner Math" promo from 'Big Poppa Pump's TNA feud with Samoa Joe. This was better than cute and you know it - the Champion's line recital was flawless, contextual changes flowed with all the insanity of the original, and Adam Cole and Renee Paquette's reacting was almost as fun to watch as the main promo itself. There are funny bits and big laughs, and this was much more of the latter than just the former.
It is awfully fortuitous that Joe and Roderick Strong made the final as MJF predicted, otherwise none of this would have been relevant and 'The Salt Of The Earth's efforts would have been for nought. That's very 2023 AEW, but there's an awful lot to be said about wrestlers than can take those plotholes and/or critiques and deliver top drawer material in spite of them. Not for the first time, the AEW World Champion did it with ease.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
