MJF did exactly what he said what he would do.
AEW World Champion MJF and Samoa Joe headlined AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam on September 20. Joe, the reigning ROH World Television Champion, challenged MJF for the world title. MJF, a New York native, had the hometown advantage, as the crowd was firmly in his corner. One of these fans was featured in a pre-match video, which was a clear parody of a classic Bret Hart advertisement.
"Go get him, Champ!"
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 21, 2023
Watch #AEWDynamite #AEWGrandSlam LIVE ON TBS!@The_MJF pic.twitter.com/4qpoZxCPMW
Joe overpowered MJF throughout the bout, and the champion was also battling through an injured neck. Joe honed in on the weakness by slamming MJF onto the apron and piledriving him onto the exposed floor. MJF kept fighting, and he busted out every weapon in his arsenal, including the Kangaroo Kick and the Dynamite Diamond ring, in an effort to overcome the odds. Joe nearly scored the win with a Muscle Buster, but MJF kicked out.
The challenger was also on the verge of victory when he trapped MJF in the Coquina Clutch, but Adam Cole ran to ringside and cheered for his friend. His presence fueled the champion, who fired up and, after trading low blows with Joe, choked him out with some tape. Joe passed out, so the referee called for the bell.
On exposed concrete, Samoa Joe piledrives MJF to the floor!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 21, 2023
BUT SOMEHOW, THE #AEW WORLD CHAMPION KICKS OUT!
Watch #AEWDynamite #AEWGrandSlam LIVE ON TBS!@The_MJF @SamoaJoe pic.twitter.com/HcxD95hjG9
MJF retains the #AEW World Title, and Samoa Joe shakes his hand! Wow!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 21, 2023
Watch #AEWDynamite #AEWGrandSlam LIVE ON TBS!@The_MJF @SamoaJoe pic.twitter.com/zEiK8CcBdR
After the match, Joe shoved Cole, and MJF stood up for his tag team partner. MJF and Joe then shook hands, and after doctors checked on MJF, he celebrated with Cole to close the show.
Click here to catch up on our coverage of AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. For a full review, check out the post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.