9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (5 Oct)
Ups...
9. A Genius Returns
MJF Vs. Wheeler YUTA was a tremendous television match, and MJF is phenomenal at making every bump count.
He never just lands on his back and clutches at it because he knows there's a story to tell across every available second. He knows, that as a heel - for now - people want to see him endure pain. Every bump he takes has a certain personality. Sometimes he clasps his hand in prayer the second before impact. Sometimes he falls flat on his arse, like a clown, because watching the jackass get hurt should be funny. Sometimes - later in the match when he needs to get more serous - he looks like he dies upon impact when getting smashed against the barricade. All are incredibly cathartic. MJF's bumps have more personality than several pro wrestlers.
He's also so good that he needn't even bump to command a standing ovation. His warp speed pin trade signature is that of which a pro wrestler dreams: a booming reaction for what is ostensibly a cardio work-out. Getting paid to go the gym, basically. His grasp of crowd psychology was also fantastic here.
YUTA was sensational here too - his fire and wit were such that he was never in danger of losing the support of the crowd, which felt all too possible a fortnight ago - but the trademark MJF match layout worked so well here.
He was an ar*ehole.
He ate sh*t.
This two-chord rhythm was so beautifully simple that he drew a super-dramatic "boo!/yeah!" reaction for the entirety of the match.
AEW is exponentially better off with MJF back.