In something nobody saw coming, MJF vs Samoa Joe looks to be the next big feud in AEW.
After defending the ROH Tag Team Championships against The Dark Order, Samoa Joe interrupted Adam Cole and MJF’s celebrations as he made his way to the ring for his ROH TV title defense against Shane Taylor.
Samoa Joe shoulder barged MJF on his way to the ring, which enraged the AEW Champion. He rushed the ring despite his injured neck, attacking the ROH legend from behind.
However, Samoa Joe managed to catch MJF in a guillotine choke, wrenching on his injured neck as the crowd gasped in horror.
The pair were then separated by security, although it seemed clear that the fight was not over.
It seems clear from this interaction, on pay per view no less, that Samoa Joe vs MJF is the next big feud to carry AEW into the post-CM Punk era.
There’s a good chance that Joe replaced CM Punk in this feud – given that CM Punk held the “Real World Championship” before he was fired, and even beat Joe last week at AEW All In.
Samoa Joe could be in line for an AEW Championship title shot, although how he gets there is currently up for debate.
Tony Khan announced a tournament to find out MJF’s opponent for AEW Grand Slam 2023. While Roderick Strong is considered the favorite, it looks like Samoa Joe would be a better winner to take on MJF for the AEW Championship.
Alternatively, they could hold off on MJF vs Samoa Joe until Full Gear 2023, on the one-year anniversary of MJF becoming the AEW Champion.
Samoa Joe has never wrestled MJF before, making this a first-time matchup for the 44-year-old former ROH Champion.
On the same show, Samoa Joe defended his ROH Television Championship against Shane Taylor.