The MJF-Briscoe Feud: A Blueprint for Championship Storytelling in AEW
Over 70% of wrestling fans surveyed after All In: Texas cited the MJF and Mark Briscoe rivalry as a highlight of the event, despite it not culminating in a title match. This surprising level of engagement, highlighted by veteran Tommy Dreamer’s wish for a World Championship showdown, signals a crucial shift in how AEW can build compelling narratives – and a potential roadmap for maximizing fan investment beyond just championship belts.
Beyond the Title: The Power of Defined Roles
Dreamer’s observation that the feud clearly established “who’s the heel and who’s the baby face” is deceptively profound. In an era where wrestling often blurs moral lines, the straightforward dynamic between MJF’s arrogant villainy and Briscoe’s resilient underdog status resonated deeply. This clarity isn’t accidental; it’s a deliberate construction that taps into fundamental storytelling principles. Fans crave a reason to invest emotionally, and a clear alignment of good versus evil provides that foundation.
The All In Gauntlet: A Showcase, Not a Climax
While the Casino Gauntlet match at All In served as a platform for MJF to demonstrate dominance, Dreamer’s point is valid: the feud deserved a more focused, high-stakes environment. The Gauntlet, by its nature, diluted the intensity of the MJF-Briscoe conflict. It functioned as a showcase, but not a climax. This highlights a potential issue with AEW’s booking – sometimes prioritizing spectacle over the sustained development of individual storylines.
The Long-Term Implications: Building Stars Through Conflict
The success of the MJF-Briscoe feud isn’t just about this particular rivalry; it’s about the potential for AEW to consistently deliver emotionally resonant stories. The key takeaway is that compelling character work and a clear narrative structure can elevate even non-title feuds to main event status. This is particularly important in a roster as deep as AEW’s, where not everyone can be vying for a championship at all times.
Consider the impact of long-term storytelling, similar to New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s approach. Their focus on building rivalries over months, even years, fosters a level of fan investment rarely seen in American wrestling. AEW can learn from this model, utilizing events like All In as stepping stones in larger, more intricate narratives. A recent study by Nielsen shows that sustained engagement with sports entertainment is directly correlated with compelling storylines and character development.
The Future of AEW Storytelling: Prioritizing Investment
Looking ahead, AEW should prioritize feuds that offer clear emotional stakes, even if a championship isn’t on the line. This means investing in character development, crafting compelling motivations, and building rivalries that feel personal. The MJF-Briscoe feud demonstrated that fans will follow a story, even without a title, if the characters are compelling and the conflict is meaningful.
Furthermore, AEW could explore more creative ways to utilize its PPVs. Instead of solely focusing on championship matches, they could dedicate events to specific feuds, allowing those storylines to unfold organically over the course of the night. This would create a more immersive and emotionally engaging experience for fans.
The brilliance of the MJF-Briscoe dynamic wasn’t just in the matches themselves, but in the narrative layers built around them. It’s a reminder that in professional wrestling, the story is often more important than the championship. What are your predictions for how AEW will utilize this lesson in future storylines? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
