MJF Pays Tribute To WWE Hall Of Famer Bret Hart Before His Title Match Against Samoa Joe
In a high-octane evening today, MJF paid a heartfelt tribute to WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart. The moment came just before he was to defend his AEW World Championship against the formidable Samoa Joe.
Before the bell rang for his title defense, MJF channeled one of the most iconic moments in professional wrestling history. He gave a reference to a memorable commercial featuring Bret Hart. Fans of a certain age will recall the ad in which a young boy spots Hart backstage. It led the wrestling legend to pivot back towards him. The child’s words of encouragement, “Go get em’, Champ!” are met with Hart gifting him his iconic pink sunglasses. In a similar vein, MJF reimagined this touching moment with his trademark twist. As he was making his way to the ring, he stopped to interact with a young fan. Instead of pink sunglasses, MJF draped his own Burberry scarf around the youngster’s neck.
The main event itself was a wrestling clinic, pitting the shrewd and calculating style of MJF against the brute force and technical prowess of Samoa Joe. Both men displayed an array of offense that kept fans guessing, but it was MJF’s use of subterfuge, some might even call it ‘scumbaggery,’ that eventually granted him the upper hand. Despite the hard-fought contest, MJF was able to outmaneuver Joe and retain his AEW World Championship. In a move that surprised many, both wrestlers shook hands after the match, an uncharacteristic gesture of sportsmanship from MJF, adding another layer of complexity to an already enthralling rivalry.
The evening wasn’t solely defined by the high-stakes world title match, however. In the women’s division, Saraya successfully defended her AEW Women’s World Championship against former ally Toni Storm. This bout was an emotional war as the two women displayed not only their in-ring skills but also the palpable tension that comes from a deeply personal conflict. Saraya’s triumphant retention solidifies her as a dominant force in AEW’s women’s division, leaving fans to ponder who might be able to dethrone her.
Adding to the drama of the night, two other titles changed hands in electrifying fashion. The opening bout saw a clash of titans as Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston engaged in a champion versus champion match that shook the very foundations of the AEW landscape. The tension was palpable, the stakes sky-high, and the result? A title change that had the audience roaring in approval and disbelief.
Another shocking moment unfolded when a title change occurred under unfortunate circumstances, as an injury to a top star cast a pall over the celebratory atmosphere.
