How AEW Are SECRETLY Telling A Genius Long-Term Story

by Michael Sidgwick
Chris Jericho Cody
AEW

Jericho has a dual remit in AEW: to legitimise the company and himself, as a true main event Ace, and to build its future. He has attempted this with Scorpio Sky, he is attempting this with Jungle Boy, but it's against MJF where the true, pay-per-view money match lies.

It is a spiritual successor to the phenomenal Jericho Vs. Shawn Michaels WWE programme of 2003, and we know from Jericho's WWE run that he is keenly aware of the power continuity holds in long-term storytelling. It differs because, where Chris Jericho grew to resent the comparisons to the Heartbreak Kid in 2003, in 2020, MJF can accuse Jericho of ripping him off to remain relevant; in another telling moment, at Bash At The Beach, Jericho used his title belt to lash Moxley's back.

Where did he get that idea?

But then, Jericho removed his weight belt to lash Cody at Full Gear, so where did MJF get the idea? Where did you get the idea? No, where did you get the idea...?

All of this conspires to create a perfectly-orchestrated, complete sense of parity between Jericho and MJF, which will, when the bell rings, create also a sense of complete unpredictability and immaculate drama. Who wins a match between two wrestlers that cannot be separated?

The programme is nowhere near close to erupting on your screen, but already, AEW have created one hell of a video package.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!