mobanmarketDespite a stretch of time where it appeared he wouldn't be able to defend the AEW World title, MJF showed up and successfully defended the gold in the main event of Full Gear in a win over Jay White — all with the returning Adam Cole by his side.
In a long match that focused on MJF's knee injury suffered earlier in the night, the champion picked up the win and possession of the belt White stole after countering a Blade Runner by hitting White with the Dynamite diamond ring for the pin.
What set that up was referee Bryce Mitchell getting knocked down which gave Cole the opportunity to offer the ring to MJF but White initially got it first. That was preceded by Cole trying to hit White with a Ring of Honor Tag Team title belt, only for White to grab it and hit MJF for a close nearfall. Earlier, Cole considered throwing in the towel for MJF as he was in a figure four leglock.
There was no tease of dissension between the two, nor any on-screen appearance by The Devil character that has been on AEW TV the last few weeks.
Earlier in the night on the Zero Hour pre-show, MJF was taken out by The Gunns after he and Samoa Joe successfully defended the ROH Tag Team titles, injuring MJF's knee in the process. As he was taken out in an ambulance, he screamed to Cole to not let them take his title.
Cole later offered to defend the title for MJF as White had a storyline stipulation where he would become champion if he didn't get his shot at Full Gear. Cole did come out and was prepared to start the match, but MJF arrived by driving the same ambulance he was taken out in.
On Sunday, MJF will celebrate a full year as champion — the company's longest World title reign. Saturday marked his tenth title defense and his first singles match against White who is still looking for his first run with any AEW gold.
It was a night of several title changes as Julia Hart took home the TBS title while Toni Storm regained the AEW Women's title.