Wardlow says Double or Nothing moment ruined by MJF drama

[Chris]

In what could be a hybrid work/shoot interview, TNT Champion Wardlow said he's been trying to get back on track from May's AEW Double or Nothing where he defeated MJF -- a night he said was ruined by the controversy leading up to it and personal issues.

Speaking to Digital Spy, he said the night in which he opened the pay-per-view with his big win over MJF "should be considered on the best nights of my life and it really wasn't."

Wardlow won in a quick squash over his former storyline boss, earning his contractual freedom. MJF actually appearing at the event was in question throughout the weekend as his own real life relationship with Tony Khan was brought into the spotlight.

Wardlow said he took issue with the circus surrounding the situation.

"Everything that was going on with Max at the time and then in my life personally...just nothing was going right and it's kind of sad that everything built up to this big night and there was so much that ruined it," he said, "All the crap with Max and everything he was pulling."

Wardlow said he showed up that Sunday not knowing if he was still scheduled. While he said there's more he could say and that the outcome was "amazing," he "really didn't ever have the opportunity to enjoy it."

Since that night, Wardlow has wrestled just seven times (once outside AEW) but did win the TNT title along the way, defeating Scorpio Sky in July. Since then, he has three successful title defenses including a quick one last Friday against Ryan Nemeth.

Even with the success, he said things aren't as great as he would have hoped.

"I feel like ever since that night (DoN), things have kind of been just off and I feel like I'm still trying to get back on track ever since that night and we'll get there," he said. "But it is what it is, in this in life and in this business, not everything goes perfectly."

After his trios match with FTR against Jay Lethal & the Motor City Machine Guns this Sunday at All Out, he wants to re-focus on the TNT title, saying he's ready for "real competition" and can do more than just squash matches.

Wardlow 'still trying to get back on track' after 'ruined' AEW Double or Nothing

The TNT Champion opened up about his last three months in AEW.

www.f4wonline.com

 

[Roy Mustang]

I mean he is right. The MJF drama ruined his moment for sure. Khan has made booking mistakes since too but the MJF stuff fucked his moment

 

[Death By Looch]

That's true, but tbh, I don't think he would've been booked very differently afterwards anyways. After that big feud with MJF, they pretty much had to quickly give him a Title, but they can't feature him in another big story right away. I feel like it's better to not push too much and maybe simmer down the momentum a bit, before you go full throttle with him again. Especially with the ceiling that his above him (or between the TNT title/Upper Midcard and the Main Event)

I think his actual big year is going to be 2023. Right now at least, I feel like they could throw all their eggs in his basket for next year and truly make it Wardlow's year.

 

[Roy Mustang]

Tbh he should have won the TNT title the very next show imo and it would have been a lot better. There was no reason to keep it on Sky any longer than needed.

 

[Deezy]

Pretty sure what happened after the MJF feud has ruined him more.

 

[Comrade Khan]

Tbh he should have won the TNT title the very next show imo and it would have been a lot better. There was no reason to keep it on Sky any longer than needed.

Ya cursed by MJF being a dong and the TNT title being booked not the best prior. He should defend more but ig its also not optimal for him tl squash the entire upper midcard. Also hes lacking a foil right now

 

[Alexa]

I was more disappointed he didn't come out to War Pigs than anything else.

 

[Hoss]

Ruined is far too strong a word. I mean, he may see it that way from his personal perspective, that's understandable. But from a fan perspective, that's absolutely asinine. He went over so fucking massively at DoN and got the insane reception for his defeat of MJF + winning of the TNT Title that everyone was hoping for. He's continued to be one of, I'd say, the top 5 to 7 most over acts in all of AEW which is honestly no small feat. At worst, he's experienced a lull since becoming champion, but nothing about the situation or where he stands indicates that he, the belt, or any of his milestone moments have been "ruined".

 

[Swerve]

Wardlow isn't wrong!