8 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Worlds End 2023

2. MJF Can’t Beat The Odds

AEW Worlds End 2023 MJF Samoa Joe
AEW

Somehow, All Elite's finest weren't done with the magical storytelling after the TNT bout.

MJF and Samoa Joe were arguably in a rough spot at Worlds End, because they had to follow two red hot matches (Copeland vs. Cage and Moxley vs. Kingston) and end the night on a high. Remarkably, despite also having to weave in Max's shoulder injury, they accomplished their goal. That speaks volumes of both men.

Some will be disappointed to see MJF's record-setting World Title reign end this way, but it happened logically. Friedman fought hard. However, the shoulder pain proved too much for him against a dangerous killer like Joe. It's important to note that Max didn't tap out at the end - he passed out. There is a difference.

Seeing Joe grind MJF down and eventually take his belt with a trusty hold was stunning. Top marks go to the production team for capturing a seemingly horrified Adam Cole around ringside too. MJF's supposed "best friend" could see the title slipping away.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.