Jim Cornette has expressed who he wants to be the next in line to challenge for MJF’s AEW World Championship, along with who should never get a shot at the title.
MJF defeated Jon Moxley at the Full Gear pay-per-view on November 19th, defeating Jon Moxley after a shocking turn by Mox’s former mentor William Regal. This alliance would be short lived, with the new AEW World Champion attacking Regal on the November 30th episode of Dynamite. Assuming that MJF successfully defends the title against Ricky Starks at the Winter is Coming special, where Starks has received a shot due to winning the World Title Eliminator Tournament, fans will find out who is next to challenge for the gold.
Jim Cornette Claims It’s Too Early For Ricky Starks To Be A Contender
Speaking on the Drive-Thru Podcast, Jim Cornette has stated that only one member of the AEW roster makes sense right now to be the new number one contender:
“Well, obviously the next major opponent and it makes perfect sense is Danielson. He just, you know, MJF just laid waste to regal so Danielson would be natural. And also those matches I’m sure would be very good and I don’t think Danielson would be as hard to work with mentally or physically as most of the other people that you know, you could choose from.
Having said that, that is indeed the problem and you mentioned you know, booking Flair, booking and a heel, you know, champion. You’ve got to have strong babyfaces which is what when Ric Flair was a heel and remember The Four Horsemen they always had [strong babyfaces]. And just the fact that, again I’m not knocking Ricky Starks, but to this point he has not been portrayed at the single main event world title level. They just had him win a tournament, and I’m not saying he shouldn’t get an opportunity but that’s not an answer for him. Ricky Starks is not the equivalent of Sting in 1989, right? Not in his presentation at this point.”
Along with the expectation that the match would be high quality, Jim Cornette outlined Danielson’s additional motivation for going after the title, stating personal reasons along with the desire to be the next AEW World Champion:
“And this is the one obvious babyface, Danielson is the guy that just came out and had to f*cking tell that tale of sorrow and woe and switch heel in front of half the crowd the other day on TV. But at least yes they will get behind him in this incident for you know, going for revenge for his lordship.”
Jim Cornette went on to say that if the match between MJF and the American Dragon were to take place and MJF retained, there are no other credible challengers on the AEW roster. In particular, Cornette does not want to see MJF defend the championship against two of All Elite Wrestling’s former World Champions:
“But besides Danielson who’s been portrayed at a main event level, who obviously has a long history and track record and respect from the fans, that’s a money matchup, that’s pay-per-view. Ricky Starks isn’t, not because of his talent, because of his presentation. Mox, nobody wants Moxley again please God no. And explain to me who their other main event babyfaces are. Does anybody want to see MJF against twinkle toes? God please tell me no, please please tell me no.”
Unsurprisingly, Cornette does not want to see Kenny Omega go after the World Championship, which along with CM Punk vs. The Elite is another match he claims isn’t needed.
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