MJF came within one second of losing his first singles match since All Out 2022 on Wednesday’s edition of AEW Dynamite.
The AEW World Heavyweight Champion was about to be pinned by Adam Cole when the bell sounded for a 30-minute time-limit draw.
The Championship was not on the line. However, the match stipulation meant a win for Cole would have earned him a future shot at the title.
Friedman worked on Cole’s shoulder throughout, seemingly to soften up his opponent for the Fujiwara Armbar.
MJF performed Shawn Michaels’ signature flex in a notable spot during the match before setting up for Sweet Chin Music, stamping his foot. When he moved in for the attack, Cole countered the move with a superkick of his own.
Further kicks to MJF’s mouth would pepper the match.
As the match progressed, MJF hit a running Tombstone Piledriver on the ring apron, leaving both men hurt outside the ring.
MJF’s heel work was on point, as usual, including walking the line as he flicked the glasses from a fan’s face when confronting him in the crowd.
In the final stretch, MJF hit an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle on a prone Cole, who was laid on the timekeeper’s table. A fatigued Friedman made it back into the ring, but Cole beat the 10-count.
Cole then managed a Straitjacket German Suplex to MJF on the ring apron, leaving both competitors dazed.
As Cole attempted an O’Connor Roll, referee Bryce Remsburg took a bump. MJF tried the phantom belt shot made famous by Eddie Guerrero but it backfired, allowing Cole to use the title on Friedman. However, MJF beat a slow three count as Remsburg recovered.
After nailing Cole with a low blow, MJF put on the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Remsburg spotted this and as the ref removed the ring, Cole hit the Panama Sunrise. Cole then hit The Boom and went for the pin. As Remsburg hit the two-count, the time limit bell sounded.
Cole asked for five more minutes but MJF grabbed his title and left.
