Adam Cole/MJF Bromance Discussion Thread

[jm]

Aug 10, 2023 17:39:16 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Aug 10, 2023 17:19:41 GMT -5 jm said:

In the name of all that is holy:
Please don't let MJF and Cole split up at either All In nor All Out!!! There is still so much in this pairing!

Expect multiple fake outs during the match at the PPV.

Oh yeah I'm gonna be having quite a few heart attacks during both matches at All In.

[KME]

I don't think anyone invested in the story will be able to calm their anxiety until the very moment the show ends, even if one is stood raising the others hand or they've just embraced there'll always be that nagging feeling of what may be coming.

I don't know if they could have found a storyline that's more perfect for the main event for their biggest show tbh, I didn't necessarily want the match if it was going to mean they'd already split but doing it with them still as friends is absolutely the right move. It has huge potential just as match alone due to how good their last one was, so many people are fully invested in them and there's so many ways it could go during and after the match, genuinely can't wait for it.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

It's crazy how just over two months ago - Adam Cole brought in Sabu to help fight the JAS. That feels like a year ago.

[Cry Me a Wiggle]

Aug 10, 2023 22:04:10 GMT -5 "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik said:

It's crazy how just over two months ago - Adam Cole brought in Sabu to help fight the JAS. That feels like a year ago.

It goes to show how one hot angle can overshadow any previous unyielding status quo. People being sick of MJF’s schtick and Cole sort of floundering from one mediocre feud to another both feel like hazy dreams, and I sincerely hope all parties involved know they need to keep chugging the Red Bull of this angle, because it’s nowhere near time to put it to bed.

[bearned]

Aug 10, 2023 22:04:10 GMT -5 "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik said:

It's crazy how just over two months ago - Adam Cole brought in Sabu to help fight the JAS. That feels like a year ago.

Also Roderick Strong had a great falls count anywhere match with Jericho to help his best friend and Cole still abandoned him for MJF.

[clifford]

I honestly don't know what direction they'll go with this (MJF turn, Cole turn, no turn and stay buddies, no turn but go separate ways, secret fifth option you only get by completing Roddy's side quest), and honestly, that is amazing. AEW by and large do wrestling storylines well, but they are always quite traditional in the sense that a lot of the outcomes and twists in the tale before the outcome are obvious; now most of the time that's OK cause they do it so well that it's still entertaining.

But now we have a major storyline where I genuinely have no clue what's ahead or who's going to win the match at All In, AND also could see pretty much any direction they do decide to go in being a good choice. That's so rare in wrestling- and especially in AEW- these days and for me that's the major positive with this storyline.

[Feargus McReddit]

Aug 11, 2023 3:54:46 GMT -5 clifford said:

I honestly don't know what direction they'll go with this (MJF turn, Cole turn, no turn and stay buddies, no turn but go separate ways, secret fifth option you only get by completing Roddy's side quest), and honestly, that is amazing. AEW by and large do wrestling storylines well, but they are always quite traditional in the sense that a lot of the outcomes and twists in the tale before the outcome are obvious; now most of the time that's OK cause they do it so well that it's still entertaining.

But now we have a major storyline where I genuinely have no clue what's ahead or who's going to win the match at All In, AND also could see pretty much any direction they do decide to go in being a good choice. That's so rare in wrestling- and especially in AEW- these days and for me that's the major positive with this storyline.

It’s sort of why I love the idea of them doing a pre-show match. You’re giving the tag team people love on a big stage but also leave more breadcrumbs towards the actual main event and potentially get people watching the PPV to see what happens.

Like, as of right now, both men have made indications of being the one to turn and you basically all but confirm Roddy and The Kingdom at least having an alliance together so it’s all up in the air right now.

[Nosnorb]

Aug 11, 2023 3:54:46 GMT -5 clifford said:

But now we have a major storyline where I genuinely have no clue what's ahead or who's going to win the match at All In, AND also could see pretty much any direction they do decide to go in being a good choice. That's so rare in wrestling- and especially in AEW- these days and for me that's the major positive with this storyline.

Contrast that with MJF vs Danielson, where everyone knew that Bryan would fail to get payback and the AEW Title.

[kingoftheindies]

Aug 11, 2023 7:34:09 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Aug 11, 2023 3:54:46 GMT -5 clifford said:

I honestly don't know what direction they'll go with this (MJF turn, Cole turn, no turn and stay buddies, no turn but go separate ways, secret fifth option you only get by completing Roddy's side quest), and honestly, that is amazing. AEW by and large do wrestling storylines well, but they are always quite traditional in the sense that a lot of the outcomes and twists in the tale before the outcome are obvious; now most of the time that's OK cause they do it so well that it's still entertaining.

But now we have a major storyline where I genuinely have no clue what's ahead or who's going to win the match at All In, AND also could see pretty much any direction they do decide to go in being a good choice. That's so rare in wrestling- and especially in AEW- these days and for me that's the major positive with this storyline.

It’s sort of why I love the idea of them doing a pre-show match. You’re giving the tag team people love on a big stage but also leave more breadcrumbs towards the actual main event and potentially get people watching the PPV to see what happens.

Like, as of right now, both men have made indications of being the one to turn and you basically all but confirm Roddy and The Kingdom at least having an alliance together so it’s all up in the air right now.

I kind of wonder if they build towards the Kingdom and Roddy vs Cole/MJF and a partner and the partner is either a returning KOR (very unlikely) where MJF has to deal with more insecurities of having to try and trust somebody/getting jealous Adam has other friends or Wardlow where you then add more tension of Wardlow not trusting MJF and Cole trying to be the peacemaker. In both cases you can continue the story of MJF slowly opening up more, or continue to drive a wedge between MJF/Cole

[markymark]

[Hypnosis]

Aug 13, 2023 18:17:37 GMT -5 markymark said:

Roddy putting #endofheartache at the end of most of his tweets during a really emotional time for him (in kayfabe) is so funny.

[markymark]

[4real]

I think Cole wins the title at either All In or All Out. And I think he’s turning heel. MJF has to go face. He has to evolve. It’s time.

But if he does does that mean that the talk of the bidding war of 2024 goes down slightly?

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

Aug 24, 2023 10:48:34 GMT -5 4real said:

I think Cole wins the title at either All In or All Out. And I think he’s turning heel. MJF has to go face. He has to evolve. It’s time.

But if he does does that mean that the talk of the bidding war of 2024 goes down slightly?

I did wonder about the 2024 reference in the kangaroo kick sketch. At first I rolled my eyes at that still being a thing, but then MJF was very particularly cut off and started sucking up to Tony Khan, which made it feel like he making himself the butt of the joke by bringing it up.

We'll see, I guess, but for reading signals of what's on screen so far, that was very interesting.

[ChitownKnight]

Aug 24, 2023 10:48:34 GMT -5 4real said:

I think Cole wins the title at either All In or All Out. And I think he’s turning heel. MJF has to go face. He has to evolve. It’s time.

But if he does does that mean that the talk of the bidding war of 2024 goes down slightly?

Yeah after his interview with Renee I think Cole is going to be the one turning heel. MJF can be like Punk in 2011 with the bidding war thing, a face but still hinting at walking out with the title

[kingoftheindies]

Aug 24, 2023 10:48:34 GMT -5 4real said:

I think Cole wins the title at either All In or All Out. And I think he’s turning heel. MJF has to go face. He has to evolve. It’s time.

But if he does does that mean that the talk of the bidding war of 2024 goes down slightly?

I think it's becoming more and more clear that they're teasing Cole being the one to turn especially with Roddy saying "We're gonna see the real MJF and real Adam Cole"

I don't want them to break up but I think you can build a very compelling angle like this...

MJF clearly is afraid to open up and have real friends, hell he openly admitted it, and he's still got one eye behind his back that Cole is gonna betray him. But you have Cole turn and side with Roddy and the Kingdom. You basically break MJF and have him go away for a bit (again). Play up that this is why he never trusts anybody and really play this up as breaking him. Have Cole basically have his own goon squad and just have him go unhinged. You have MJF return and build towards him vs Cole 3 at either Revolution or DoN, but you also have the numbers get the best of him and show that Max being a scum bag has caused the rest of the roster to want nothing to do with him. Build him up as the true lone wolf.

Or if you really want to you can do the same thing swapping Cole for MJF and make Max go full on Psycho unhinged.

[skullman21]

I'm not sure why this angle has been so much fun to watch for me. It sometime borders on silly, but somehow they make it work. Both guys character work has been outstanding. It somehow gets better every week. It's just building and building to this huge crescendo Sunday. MJF is always top notch in whatever he does, but this has really elevated Cole's character in a way he badly needed. It's just been a joy to watch every week.

[Jindrak Mark]

I hope the Strong/Kingdom stuff is just a red herring because the thought of any of them playing a major role in the main event of your biggest show ever just feels like a mistake. And Cole leading a heel stable got stale years ago. If he turns hopefully he stays solo for once.

The All Out factor really makes it more awkward to predict. Even if one of them does turn on the other I don't think they'd then do the rematch with just 6-7 days build and on a PPV a lot of people might not buy due to already getting All In.

I'm guessing Punk beats Joe then says he wants the winner of MJF/Cole at All Out. MJF beats Cole then Cole turns on him after the match. At All Out Cole either screws MJF out of the title or helps him win before beating him down again then the face MJF v heel Cole match is at Full Gear.

They might not want to end the show on a heelish moment though so maybe MJF just beats Cole, handshake, end show then the turn takes place at All Out.

[daaave]

It is intriguing as surely you can't end this show on a downer heel turn. If it was a bog standard ppv then yeah sure. But you don't wanna send 80k home booing after the biggest wrestling event EVER.

But then I'm not sure they can just have a straight match where they hug it out as friends at the end. It needs something major to develop out of it.

[Zone Was Wrong]

Aug 24, 2023 10:38:33 GMT -5 markymark said:

Came to post this. This was fun to watch and honestly fun to see MJF in a less kayfabe setting.