Adam Cole Emerges As Next Challenger For MJF’s AEW World Championship

Adam Cole has firmly positioned himself as the next challenger for Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s AEW World Championship. In a war of words on “AEW Dynamite,” MJF verbally berated Cole across a range of issues. The champion’s verbal tirade referenced online chatter about Cole, his time in Ring of Honor and WWE, and rumors about his departure from WWE. Cole struck back, saying that MJF’s verbal attack wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen on social media before.

MJF called Cole’s verbal retort bold words from “Keith Lee’s manager.” Ultimately, Cole chastised MJF for not being a true champion, saying that a true champion wouldn’t just trade barbs on the mic, but would fight him. He emphasized that no one respects MJF and that he was better than MJF and the fans knew it. Before Cole could exit the ring, MJF grabbed Cole and told him he’d fight him any day of the week. Cole got the last word saying, “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a match.”

A defense against Cole would mark MJF’s fourth defense of the title in the half-year that he has held the title. It’s also unknown where a match between the two would take place, but the upcoming Forbidden Door event is the most likely option. Especially given MJF’s disdain for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the promotion that the event is cross-promoted with.