Tony Khan would tell you with no one else around that MJF is the heart, even though he wouldn't admit it. He brought him back after he ruined the company. He's back in the main event scene because of it. When MJF is at the center of it, Aew is at its best.
One-half of the company's soul can be found in MJF. He's the dark one. We don't know if Jon Moxley is the light side or Hangman Page is the dark side, but we know he'll be okay in time. It's a good choice. Mox won't accept anything less than what he will put his body through. He is worthy of respect.
It means that MJF is the brain. In his case, it means no corner he won't cut, no devious maneuver beneath him, as long as he's at the top. Moxley will find a side door if he walks through hell to get what he wants.
No great moment in any company has come without the two extremes facing off at each other. Bryan and The Authority. MJF last night brought AEW back to what it does best and what it will be doing in the future.
If you missed it, or just want to see it again, last night's excellent Dynamite was centered on a promo segment between MJF and William. It was seven years ago that MJF was auditioning for a job at WWE, and he was told by Regal that he would have a job if he was old enough.
The promo doesn't do justice if it only shows the timelines on a screen. The fact that MJF has competition for his best promo at this level tells you everything. The sense that all was lost and nothing mattered, the bile it caused to toss out any sense of decency or morality in his rise to the top, it was basically wrestling pathos distilled to its essence. It's the best. If you have time, watch it. MJF blamed Punk for his nihilism and was ready to cast his entire persona and actions as a result of the event. That is how heels see the world and that is what MJF is responsible for.
There aren't many people who could stand in that spot after MJF's promo. He blew him off a long time ago to make him what he could be. MJF had cut every corner and planned his way to the top instead of fighting like Moxley did. The stakes for their match were huge. Will MJF rise to the occasion and turn face and actually fight through hell to be what he sees himself to be? Will the glimpse of the peak cause him to think about what got him here in the first place? Who is going to find out first?
This is what AEW has always done best, long-term stories. It isn't that AEW or Tony Khan lost their bearings in the last year or so. Being the "big buzz" company where there was a new arrival every week was needed to establish itself as a real alternative and destination. The more people that showed up on AEW, the more it seemed like the place to be. Something with a true foundation would last. The buzz and pops make it look set for a long time.
As Khan collected more and more toys it all got a bit confused. It's a new company and has allowed some stumbles. The roster got bloated, too many had to get on TV, and there was less and less time to do what made the company great.
Hangman overcoming his lack of belief and seeing his friends for what they really were as he defeated Kenny Omega for the title are some of the most memorable matches of AEW. What Punk really is and how Punk created him is laid out by MJF. Mox came out on top in the Light vs. Dark feud. Last week, when Orange Cassidy won the All-Atlantic title, he showed that he can be as serious as The Bastard, and that he can be as good at it. It takes time to cite history and allow the wrestlers to paint a picture. It is more difficult to do when you are trying to cram so much into tv.
Being the new guy, being the hot new club, and now finding the next chapter is what AEW has to do. It is possible to go back to the place that everyone wanted to come to first. Even if it's just recently released or constantly underused wrestlers like Johnny Gargano or Tommaso Ciampa are getting big exposure, it's still WWE that's trying to gas itself up recently on new appearances, even if it's just recently released or constantly underused
The AEW will return to textured stories. It's the best at it. There were more seeds split last night. It is possible that Swerve In Our Glory will return to The Acclaimed.
It's not flawless. Eddie Kingston is needed by the company in some way. What is happening with the title right now? Why doesn't Joe threaten someone's life every week? Something like this would be great for Storm. Two weeks ago, this felt pickier than it does today.
Throughout AEW's existence, the darkness has been built. Mox has righteously done things. The show and company have a heavy anchor. The company's soul is at stake in a lot of ways.
What is simple is usually the best. Clean stories and great matches. There is nothing better than letting them cook to the right temperature. Aew is back to basics.
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