On the December 24th episode of AEW Dynamite, Bandido claimed the Dynamite Diamond Ring for the first time since its inception in 2019, ending MJF’s five-year reign as its holder. Bandido earned the ring by surviving a battle royal and then defeating Ricochet in a singles match. Despite being the ring’s long-standing champion, MJF was not given the chance to defend it this year. In an interview with Mostly Sports’ Brandon Walker, MJF, who still wore the ring, expressed his frustration, attributing his exclusion to Tony Khan’s dislike of him. He also dismissed the idea that Bandido winning both the ring and the AEW World Title was fair, pointing out that despite successfully defending the ring annually, he never received a title shot.
MJF compared the ring to a Super Bowl ring, emphasizing that Bandido’s victory doesn’t negate his own achievements. He revealed that Mark, presumably a reference to Tony Khan, ensured Bandido would not only win the prize money but also secure a guaranteed title shot at Maximum Carnage. MJF hinted at the irony of his long-standing defense of the ring without ever getting a title opportunity and insisted he would continue to wear his collection of rings as a mark of his legacy.
Bandido is set to challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship on January 14th at AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage. Fans can follow the latest developments on this storyline and more by staying tuned to WrestleTalk.
Fan Take: This development shakes up the landscape of AEW by finally passing the iconic Dynamite Diamond Ring to a new wielder, adding fresh energy and stakes to the title scene. It sets the stage for an intense clash at Maximum Carnage, promising fans a high-stakes showdown that could redefine the hierarchy within AEW.
