Wardlow Is Going To Turn On MJF In AEW. The Question Is When?
MJF & Wardlow have become one of the most recognizable acts in AEW. Fairly soon after AEW came onto TV, MJF hired the services of Wardlow. In very “Two Dudes With Attitudes” fashion, Wardlow is the Diesel to MJF’s Shawn Michaels, only if Michaels was ten times more despicable and disgusting. Just like any duo like this, there comes an inevitable break-up. So far, after over two years of partnership, the two have been kept together – but with rising tensions and time not slowing down, it is only a matter of time before they implode.
AEW Have Done A Good Job In Building Up Wardlow
AEW’s booking of the pairing has to be applauded due to sticking by the act and resisting temptations to pull the trigger too early. Their tensions started early on, and they have been quietly simmering ever since, with layers being added every so often to build up the story. Even though fans know full well what is to come eventually, the fact that AEW has held off on it thus far is only building more and more anticipation and tension.
The company has been given plaudits for their ability and restraint to allow longer-term stories to play out over time and to not hotshot face or heel turns, and instead have the wrestlers go through gradual character and personality changes, like real people. A potential downside to this could be that AEW misses the mark on when to have Wardlow turn on MJF. If the story goes on for too long, fans could lose interest, and it may not have the desired effect.
In recent months, it feels as though AEW is ramping up the focus on Wardlow. He has been squashing opponents, much to the enjoyment of the fans, and he has been lapping up chants of ‘one more time’ and obliging the audience, much to the dismay of his teammates in The Pinnacle. In addition, MJF has been treating Wardlow much worse, using the contract between them as leverage. This has been a clever device, as it manages to build sympathy for a face that is much more physically impressive and dangerous looking than the heel. This dynamic is sometimes hard to pull off, but a contract is a great tool.
If AEW Wait Too Long, They Could Miss The Boat On Wardlow’s Turn
The current direction in the short run isn’t entirely clear. MJF has made remarks about the TNT and AEW World Championships, though has pointed out that if Wardlow were to win a title, he would have to hand it over to MJF, per the stipulations in their contract. This could be an interesting direction, with Wardlow winning the TNT Championship, and either refusing to hand it over to MJF, or else finding a way out of his contract, whether that be by winning a match against MJF, or fighting many other obstacles to try and earn a concrete AEW contract, as opposed to having one through MJF.
AEW likely have a plan in mind, but waiting another full calendar year could be overkill, especially if they wanted to have the turn take place in the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royal, for example, or by having the pair finish as the final two in that match and being made to face each other the following week. There are plenty of options, but there is world title potential in someone like Wardlow, especially with the momentum that will come from leaving the side of MJF. It could be wise to wait until MJF is World Champion, and push Wardlow to the moon by dethroning him. There are a plethora of avenues, and AEW has earned the trust to do the turn at the right time, and all the fans can do is wait in anticipation.
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