news-engine

MJF has moved one step closer to getting another shot at the AEW World Championship after securing the No. 2 spot in the Casino Gauntlet at AEW All In. The former AEW World Champion defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Nick Wayne in a three-way match on the August 12 episode of AEW Dynamite to earn the second entry. The match at Wembley Stadium on August 30 will decide the next challenger for the AEW World Championship after Kenny Omega defends the title against Will Ospreay. Andrade El Idolo had already earned the No. 1 spot, giving him an advantage in a match that will be decided by a single fall. MJF, however, was more than happy to sit back and let his opponents do most of the work. MJF sends a warning to Andrade El Idolo, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay The former AEW World Champion initially refused to get involved in the match and instead went to commentary. He wanted Bailey and Wayne to wear each other out before stepping in and taking the win. Even after returning to the ring, Friedman continued looking for ways to avoid taking unnecessary punishment. Bailey and Wayne eventually knocked him back to the outside while they continued fighting each other. MJF then jumped back into the action and attempted to hit the Heatseeker. Bailey countered by tossing MJF overhead before hitting a moonsault onto both men. Friedman later tried to get Paul Wight to help him from the commentary desk. But Wight had no interest. The match continued. Bailey nearly defeated Wayne after hitting a Shooting Star Press, while Wayne looked close to winning after hitting the Prodigy-Plex. MJF, however, broke up the pin. Bailey then hit Ultima Weapon on Wayne and appeared to have the match won. But Friedman pulled Bailey out of the ring, leaving Wayne alone. He then locked Wayne in the Salt of the Earth armbar. Wayne had no choice but to tap out, giving MJF the victory and the No. 2 spot in the Casino Gauntlet. After the match, he grabbed a microphone and claimed he knew he would win because “the champ always wins.” He also walked around the ring with his Triple B belt and claimed he had “never lost a day” in his life. MJF then promised to leave with the Casino Gauntlet contract. Andrade’s music suddenly played. Friedman laughed it off and claimed Andrade was not actually there because he had already beaten him the previous week. He then shifted his attention to Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay, who could both potentially enter All In as AEW World Champion. MJF warned both men that they should hope they don’t have to face him. He ended his promo by saying that God may not be listening to their prayers, but “the devil” is speaking. Read More: Major Health Update On AEW’s Jim Ross Following Brain Surgery