Punk vs MJF appreciation thread

[ChitownKnight]

I thought the match was fantastic and it def gave MJF a huge rub giving Punk his first loss in f***ing Chicago. Also Punks Pepsi Plunge was dope!! I hope he’s not hurt from that

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

One of AEW's best TV matches to date, and given they've had a stretch of TV Matches that have included Bryan/Hangman twice, Cole/Orange, Sting/Darby vs The Acclaimed, Cody/Sammy, etc. AEW's been delivering very well lately and you love to see it.

[Mozenrath]

Arguably the biggest win of MJF's career.

[holyshida]

Great match. I think the right result. MJF is winning the title this year and his promo on the Dynamite after he wins the title is going to be one of the can't miss moments of the last decade.

[Bang Bang Bart]

Feb 3, 2022 1:40:28 GMT -5 holyshida said:

Great match. I think the right result. MJF is winning the title this year and his promo on the Dynamite after he wins the title is going to be one of the can't miss moments of the last decade.

And the dude who takes the belt off of him will be the biggest babyface ever.

[GuyOfOwnage]

I said this in the Dynamite thread, but f***ing incredible match. The psychology, selling, the storytelling...everything was just off the charts. I don't know how they're going to top this at Revolution. Somehow, though, I know they will, and that'll be worth the price of admission alone.

[Killah Ray]

Incredible match. I just wish the Pepsi Plunge was saved. I think it should be his Burning Hammer and barely used unless it’s the ultimate finisher.

[Mid-Carder]

MJF has reinvigorated my love for wrestling.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

NJPW would get crazy money from me if MJF had a run in the G1 Climax. His ring work is pretty overlooked, because he’s so known for his mic work and he’s in a company with a lot of spot happy people so the way he effectively breaks down his opponents over the course of the match goes sometimes unnoticed. MJF vs Sanada or Okada would be bonkers.

[Abdullah]

I’ll readily admit that I have a leaning for any of MJF’s matches with any of the pillars. There have been a flow and seamlessness to those that’s really invigorating to watch.

This was very different and, in its own way, just as rewarding. At times, while I was watching, I really wondered if Punk couldn’t keep up in such a long match after so many years away. But I think, as much as anything, that was part of the story that was being told. I walked away really impressed with the psychology and the pacing and the way they incorporated the hometown crowd.

I walked away hoping that wasn’t the end of the feud, though it likely is.

[smokinvokoun86]

I thought it was a fantastic match. I’m actually really happy that MJF is now slowly getting his due as an in ring worker, because he used to be seen as just strictly a great promo. But I think he had the in ring chops to be a main eventer as well.

And I also think this was Punk best match in AEW, they both brought it big time.

[Malibu Albino]

Feb 3, 2022 7:11:46 GMT -5 Abdullah said:

I’ll readily admit that I have a leaning for any of MJF’s matches with any of the pillars. There have been a flow and seamlessness to those that’s really invigorating to watch.

This was very different and, in its own way, just as rewarding. At times, while I was watching, I really wondered if Punk couldn’t keep up in such a long match after so many years away. But I think, as much as anything, that was part of the story that was being told. I walked away really impressed with the psychology and the pacing and the way they incorporated the hometown crowd.

I walked away hoping that wasn’t the end of the feud, though it likely is.

AEW has a tendency to “end” a feud for the time being before coming back to it at a later date to wrap it up. They’ve done it with Kenny/Hangman, Buck/Lucha Bros and Cody/Darby among others. If this is the end of the current Punk/MJF feud I can guarantee this is not the last match they’ll have. That goes double for MJF/Darby.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Feb 3, 2022 6:03:55 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

NJPW would get crazy money from me if MJF had a run in the G1 Climax. His ring work is pretty overlooked, because he’s so known for his mic work and he’s in a company with a lot of spot happy people so the way he effectively breaks down his opponents over the course of the match goes sometimes unnoticed. MJF vs Sanada or Okada would be bonkers.

MJF vs. Yano is the money match

[Kalmia]

I thought it was an excellent match. Slowly paced but deliberately so, it was engaging and I really bought that Punk was injured in several places. Great selling job from him and great heeling from MJF.

I also love that the match was so long and dramatic without any blood. I'm not against blood in matches, but AEW does rely on it too frequently to add drama sometimes.

And I think the Dusty finish added to it all. How many Dusty finishes have AEW done in 2.5 years? It's in single figures. When they're used that rarely they're really effective.

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Man has two wins over CM Punk... in one match.

[Deleted]

I wasn't a fan of the Dusty Finish since they did it not too long ago with the MJF/Jericho match at All Out. And the actual finish of "ref distraction - MJF hits a punch with the diamond ring" has been the ending of seemingly every big MJF match for close to two years now and it's starting to get old. Beyond that though it was great - expertly worked and paced.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

MJF has to be the guy to take the title off of Page. Not Revolution but Double or Nothing would be a great spot.

[Deleted]

It was a love letter to Punk vs Jimmy Rave, specifically the match at the ROH Third Anniversary show and I loved it. That Punk and Danielson are leaning so much into their ROH run is awesome to me. At its best, AEW is made for 2005 message board nerds and I'm thrilled to have a product for me.

[ASYLUMHAUSEN]

Feb 3, 2022 2:03:26 GMT -5 Killah Ray said:

Incredible match. I just wish the Pepsi Plunge was saved. I think it should be his Burning Hammer and barely used unless it’s the ultimate finisher.

I think the psychology behind it was amazing though….like, Punk had to go deeeeep into his bag of tricks and by the time he did he was too beaten down to take advantage of it fully.

Just…brilliant all around. And a true “HOLY SHIT!” moment.

I know he’s more meme than man at this point, but if that doesn’t get 6 from Meltzer I don’t know what’s real anymore.

[polarbearpete]

Haven’t watched it yet, but MJF is very good in-ring. Surprising he doesn’t get more praise for his ring work. The MJF-Darby match a few months ago was one of my favorite matches of the year.