Samoa Joe defeats MJF, Adam Cole revealed as Devil at AEW Worlds End

For the first time since November 2022, MJF is no longer AEW World Champion as he was submitted by Samoa Joe in the main event of Saturday’s Worlds End from Long Island, New York.

Things then got worse for MJF as his friend Adam Cole was revealed to be the mysterious Devil character along with his henchmen of Wardlow, Roderick Strong and The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett).

The title change didn’t come without controversy as MJF’s hand dropped twice on the mat and then a third time on his own leg, causing referee Bryce Remsburg to momentarily pause after calling for the bell. Based on the reaction he had afterward, that appears to be the impetus for an MJF dispute in the future.

Cole, tan with a trimmed beard, was in MJF’s corner the entire match. While Remsburg was briefly knocked out, MJF called for his Dynamite diamond ring to hit Joe but Cole fumbled around before finally handing it over. Joe managed to avoid the strike and ensnared MJF in a sleeper for the aforementioned tap.

Cole consoled MJF afterward, leading to the four masked henchmen of the Devil to run out and attack. They grabbed both MJF and Cole with one henchman wielding a char and threatening to hit either one of them. MJF yelled to hit himself instead of Cole and then, the lights went out.

When they went back on, Cole was sitting in the chair and slowly put his hair back as MJF was in disbelief.

The four men then revealed themselves and laid MJF out as Cole looked on, eventually pulling the Devil mask out and dropping it on his former friend as the show went off the air. His walking boot remained on as there was no sign of the injury being a ruse.

Taven and Bennett were holding the ROH Tag Team titles they won under masks by defeating MJF in a handicap match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Afterward, it was revealed that Joe, who was supposed to team with MJF but faked a knee injury, was aligned with the Devil the entire time.

MJF’s first-ever World title run began at November 2022’s Full Gear in Newark, New Jersey, with his win over Jon Moxley. He successfully defended the title ten times, most recently at last month’s Full Gear over Jay White.

He has been battling several injuries as of late, including a torn labrum. His left shoulder was in a brace and heavily taped.