8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (8 Dec)

3. Bret In Canada

How MJF would be received in Long Island was one of the biggest questions heading into last night's Dynamite. That he has always represented his homeland while relentlessly dissing other parts of the country suggested a warm response a la Bret Hart in Canada, and that's exactly what transpired.

MJF was largely received as a hero. Given a glossy video package prior to the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal, he luxuriated in the reaction and played up to the crowd padding his ego, but never once looked like betraying his true nature. Though he got pops for taking cheapshots during the match, he quickly retreated behind Wardlow before playing to the crowd. Then, after debating internally whether or not to "save" Dante Martin, he ran down, got into it with Ricky Starks, then joined the beatdown anyway.

Even in Long Island, MJF couldn't keep his true nature at bay. That's why this works. Appearing in front of an adoring crowd doesn't suddenly make you a babyface. MJF and his ego took the reactions, but he was still a piece of sh*t when he needed to be. Ask Dante Martin.

Max was great. As was his feud partner...