This past Saturday at AEW: Full Gear, we saw one of the best show the young company has put on to date. It had something for everyone, from wild and crazy spotfests, hardcore brawls, emotional storytelling, and some damn good wrestling. However, some might argue the show was stolen in the opening match. It was the first match ever between MJF & Darby Allin, two of the foundational members of the roster.
MJF & Darby Allin Set The Standard For The Rest
They went out and told a simple story of Allin being a glutton for punishment, while MJF bended the rules in 18 different ways on the way to the win. Things were kept simple by AEW standards, and MJF proved once again that he’s more than just a smooth talker – he’s one of the best wrestlers in the company.
In a rare moment of praise for his co-workers, he would mention that the originals of AEW will always steal the show. This came during a recent interview with Mike Johnson of PWInsider, with MJF saying the following in support of him and his fellow AEW originals… before focusing on himself.
“I had a lot going into that match. I wanted to remind people, the fans, the whole wrestling world that no matter who comes into AEW, the AEW originals are going to steal the show. We did just that, I don’t care what anyone says. You give me the ball, you’re never going to see the ball again. All I needed was a chance. Once I got that chance, I was going to take off running. Going into that match, I had a lot to prove and I felt like I proved it and more.”
What Exactly Is An AEW Original Though?
There is a fair bit of fan confusion as the AEW roster grows on what an original truly is. When the company started, it was built around names like Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Jon Moxley & Chris Jericho. These are men who came in with star power from stints in WWE, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Would they be originals despite their pasts, as they came first?
Or is an AEW original someone who comes into the company without much outside experience? Names like MJF, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin & Sammy Guevara would all have some time on the indies, but aside from stints in places like Evolve, MLW or Lucha Underground, they largely were more hidden gems. Names like Lee Moriarty, Daniel Garcia, Dante Martin and others fit this same mold – would that make them an AEW original?
You can argue fifty different ways on what it means, but right now it’s clear that no matter who is signed from WWE or the ruins of ROH – the core names are standing strong. Names like MJF are the future, and after Full Gear – it’s super clear.
What do you consider to be an “AEW Original”? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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