Welcome to an all new edition of Blogs Count Anywhere, the complementary blog to the ODPH podcast & 607TWS on Twitch! It has been an interesting week of news in Pro Wrestling, much plagued by a massive Winter Storm that forced many wrestling cards to change. However, we’re going to kick off this edition talking about one of the most anticipated matches in recent memory: CM Punk vs. MJF on AEW Dynamite.
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
Arguably, this has been All Elite Wrestling’s best storyline in recent memory. Punk, who was one of their biggest free agent signings in 2021, finally had an opponent that could give him competition on the mic. MJF, one of AEW’s original signings, has been waiting for a storyline like this since the “blink & miss it” title match with Jon Moxley. The build has been fun to watch with, IMO, MJF decisively winning the mic battles when they got into those battles. Outside of the war of words, it had been a decent build with Punk “winning” matches against MJF’s faction, The Pinnacle. However, one opponent (pictured below) might have a thing or two to say about their match’s outcome.
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
In a shock to most everyone, Punk & MJF had their first match against each other on this past week’s Dynamite instead of waiting for the next PPV, “AEW Revolution.” Would this match really happen? The answer was a loud YES as these two had a great match with plenty of time to tell a good story with. Even with a great swerve of a false finish, these two delivered on the hype set & the right guy won: MJF. There was no way MJF should have lost this match. As someone who AEW needs to be building around, a loss here would have been absolutely detrimental to one of your rising stars in the company.
The question now becomes where do we go from here? The easy answer is continuing the feud, which has many possible directions to go in. One other possible direction is to now have MJF finally get back into the title picture and face one Sammy Guevara for the TNT title. Could we see this and after “And New”, run it back with Punk? Either way, the story between Punk and MJF is far from over long term.
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
In other AEW news, Tony Khan has made some headlines in saying there is a BIG free agent signing debuting on AEW Dynamite on Feb. 9th. The internet is running with guesses from Jeff Hardy to Keith Lee. Honestly, I’m not sure who it could be. They’re going to get a high profile debut but after that, it will be interesting to see where they go from there.
No matter who it is, I strongly don’t see them jumping the line to a title shot over one Adam Cole (Bay Bay)! Cole made his intentions known on AEW Rampage that it’s time for him to get some gold like he has done in every other company he has been in. This move makes a lot of sense and keeps him out of a “FKA Undisputed Era” vs The Elite feud. Cole has arguably made the biggest impact from the other free agents signed around him in AEW. Why not get him into the title picture esp. against one Hangman Adam Page? I wouldn’t doubt we see this match at AEW Revolution on March 5th.
Photo Credit: Ring Of Honor
In Ring Of Honor news, The Briscoes have been announced as the first inductees to the ROH Hall Of Fame. When you think of ROH, the Briscoes are one of, if not, the first wrestlers fans think of when you say Ring Of Honor. Their tag team legacy started in 2002 & shows no sign of slowing down. For more info on the Briscoes, check out ROH YouTube on March 7th for a special talking about one of the best tag teams in pro wrestling history. Also, keep your eyes out on March 7th for the next inductee to the ROH Hall Of Fame.
Photo Credit: Xcite Wrestling
Fast Count to take this blog home:
WWE - Goldberg vs Roman Reigns has been made for the Elimination Chamber card on Feb. 19th. Honestly, I have zero interest about this match or card but let me know on Twitter if you’re excited about this match-up
GCW - 2 great cards after TheWrldOnGCW show happened this week with GCW Fight Club 2 & GCW: If I Die First. Both excellent cards that were subject to change becuase of the snow storm previously mentioned. Both are worth the time and money to check out!
Xcite - JonnyStock was another show plagued by the snow storm. Davey Richards was unable to make the show so the main event became Ace Austin vs. Cloudy. the replay is up on Twitch right now & all roads now lead for the 10th anniversary show on March 12th.
That’s all for this week. Hit me up on Twitter & let me know what’s your takes on the latest in pro wrestling!
As always, Thanks for reading!