For the last few weeks, I’ve been raving about how thrilling the AEW Men’s World Championship scene has become in this Loved and Hated article. MJF has faced formidable opponents like Hangman Page, Brody King, Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe, and Kenny Omega, but he now faces a different challenge—one beyond his control.
Since his return in 2026, Andrade El Idolo has reignited his passion and intensity. His considerable talent has long been recognized, whether during his time as La Sombra, in WWE, or during his previous stint at AEW. Despite this, something was missing, but either Andrade found it or Don Callis has played a role in this resurgence. In his match against Swerve Strickland on the January 28th episode of “AEW Dynamite,” Andrade demonstrated why he’s held in such high regard.
Swerve has made his ambition to regain the AEW Men’s World Championship abundantly clear, so the announcement of his match with Andrade stirred up both excitement and apprehension among fans. The question lingered: would it be wise for Andrade to lose early in his second run? Fortunately, that wasn’t on the table. Rather than playing it safe, Andrade claimed victory. Though the match wasn’t without controversy—he landed several low blows to secure the win—Andrade triumphed over Swerve, a former AEW Men’s World Champion and a major presence in the company. That’s impressive!
The match itself was exhilarating. It marked their first encounter in the ring, allowing both competitors to showcase their incredible athleticism and ambition to rise to the top of AEW. Andrade and Swerve spared no effort, executing a variety of moves and counters in a compelling back-and-forth battle. Given their similar styles, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the result exceeded my expectations and added even more intrigue to the already vibrant title scene.
Next week, Andrade is set to challenge Kenny Omega, but what lies ahead for Swerve? How will this shake up Hangman’s path? Brody King also has an eliminator match against MJF coming up—could that reshape the landscape? This was an outstanding conclusion to another thrilling episode.
Fan Take: This news is significant for wrestling fans as it demonstrates the unpredictability and excitement of the AEW landscape. The outcomes of these matches not only influence current rivalries but could also set the stage for future storylines, keeping fans engaged and invested in what comes next for their favorite wrestlers.
