[2026-01-14-AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage] MJF vs Bandido

[MikeCampbell]

Two weeks into the year and we've already got a viable MOTYC. The main story is MJF working Bandido's arm, with all kids of great heel stuff and being a pick in general (shocking, I know). Bandido sells like a god, even when he makes a comeback and pulls off something that might seem like he's blowing off the arm work, he does something little to show that it's still an issue, like the press slam where he's got to do it with one arm because it's not strong enough, or the superplex complete with him selling the arm while using the other to hook the leg. They even go as far as to make the fact that Bandido's 21-plex finisher can only be done from a specific position into a story, with MJF getting himself into position for it just to bait Bandido in, and when Bandido finally does do it, he's too worn down to cover right away. They had plenty of time to work and they made the most of it. For all the talk about how such and such much made a guy look great in defeat (which this absolutely does for Bandido), it elevates MJF's game too and reminds everyone that he's a lot more than a prick with a big mouth, he shows that he's fully capable of beating someone clean in the ring without low blows and foreign objects.