MJF Injects New Life into AEW, Cody Rhodes' Lack of Challengers, More Quick Takes

An extremely eventful weekend for both WWE and AEW creates the opportunity for some exciting aftermath in the weeks and months ahead.

MJF made his triumphant return to AEW at Double or Nothing 2024 and not a moment too soon. The on-air product has struggled to maintain excitement in recent months and the litany of injuries hasn't helped matters.

With a big star the caliber of MJF back in the fold, AEW now has another notable name they can build around this summer season. Whether that's resuming his rivalry with The Undisputed Kingdom or pursuing the AEW World Championship he once held, AEW TV will be better off with The Salt of the Earth around.

Cody Rhodes continues to excel as Undisputed WWE champion following his latest title defense at King and Queen of the Ring 2024, but there are no clear contenders waiting in the wings to challenge him next.

Unless a rematch with Logan Paul at Clash at the Castle is in the works, WWE will have the tall task of ensuring Rhodes' reign doesn't suffer from a lack of credible competition.

This installment of Quick Takes will tackle SmackDown's depth problem at the main event level, the reveal of Uncle Howdy's new faction being imminent, AEW's women's division reaching new heights, and more.

Despite the acquisition of several high-profile stars, AEW has been lacking creatively for the better part of 2024 thus far.

The pay-per-views consistently deliver, yet there's been nothing special about the televised product that has kept viewers engaged and buzzing on a weekly basis. MJF's return won't be an immediate solution, but it will be a big boost with the former AEW World champion being such an attraction and a proven commodity.

AEW has done a terrific job over the years of keeping MJF relevant in engaging storylines and prominently featuring him on programming. He stands out from the rest of the roster because of this, and already there are a number of different directions AEW can go in with him.

Settling his score with Adam Cole and the rest of The Undisputed Kingdom would be the most logical route to take, but it would almost be a waste of MJF for that to last much longer than a month or so.

With The Elite's hostile takeover of AEW dominating Dynamite, getting MJF involved with that important angle would make matters infinitely more interesting.

It was announced mere days ahead of King and Queen of the Ring that this year's tournaments would have stakes for the first time in decades. By winning their respective crowns, Gunther and Nia Jax will contend for a top title at SummerSlam on Aug. 3

This makes WWE's creative direction for the World Heavyweight Championship in particular much clearer heading into SummerSlam. If Gunther is guaranteed to challenge for the gold on that show, that all but confirms Drew McIntyre will not be walking out of Clash at the Castle as champion.

The Scottish Warrior has been doing the best work of his career as of late and is due for another world title run—one that lasts longer than five minutes. Getting that moment in his home country of Scotland would perfectly play off his loss at the last installment of Clash at the Castle, but that no longer appears to be in the cards.

McIntyre vs. CM Punk is the biggest attraction WWE could realistically book for SummerSlam if Punk is cleared to compete by then, and that's not a match that needs a title on the line. If McIntyre vs. Gunther isn't the plan, then McIntyre will not be winning come Clash.

Punk showing up to cost McIntyre the win is more likely, while Gunther battles Priest for the prestigious prize instead.

Teases for Uncle Howdy's new group have been playing out on WWE TV and social media since the night after WrestleMania 40, and much like all of the excitement surrounding the reveal of the White Rabbit a.k.a. Bray Wyatt in late 2022, WWE's has brilliantly kept the audience invested with every new vignette and Easter egg.

Despite speculation from fans that Howdy would return at King and Queen the Ring, the event came and went without an appearance from him or his faction.

Dragging it out any further runs the risk of fans losing interest. Wyatt returned to television within a month of the White Rabbit vignettes starting and Howdy has already passed that point.

The timing of their impending arrival can coincide with the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments wrapping up. Raw and SmackDown will soon be kicking off fresh feuds and storylines to start the summer and Howdy's stable of misfits can be part of those plans.

It's imperative WWE strike while the iron is hot with them and capitalize on the momentum the angle has before it's too late.

The women's division has long been an Achilles' heel for AEW, dating back to their very first show five years ago over Double or Nothing weekend.

The company has put together a tremendous roster of women but has largely failed to feature them in a meaningful manner with consistent storylines and television time, even with the quality of matches improving considerably over time.

Coming out of Double or Nothing 2024, the women's scene in AEW has never stronger.

Willow Nightingale and Mercedes Moné stole the show with their AEW TBS Championship clash and Moné taking the title makes it that much more important. Nightingale then immediately transitioned into her next angle with Kris Statlander betraying her afterward.

Toni Storm's "Timeless" act has also been a highlight on AEW programming for the last eight months and she never ceases to deliver with her Double or Nothing defense against Serena Deeb being the latest example of that.

Additionally, the increase of non-title feuds for the women was evident when Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo did battle on the pre-show. The booking can always be better, but it's the best that it's been and should only ascend to greater heights going forward.

Cody Rhodes' popularity with WWE fans is unrivaled, making even his most predictable matches all the more enjoyable.

With it being made abundantly clear that he'll be the face of the company for the foreseeable future, it's safe to assume his Undisputed WWE Championship reign won't be in any real jeopardy anytime soon. However, that's no excuse for WWE to not put effort into building up credible competition for him to face.

As it currently stands, no one from SmackDown feels like a legitimate threat to this title.

Seeds have been planted for Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, but that would be better saved for the SummerSlam stage. Carmelo Hayes already lost to Rhodes last month, Bobby Lashley has been out injured for a few weeks, LA Knight has his sights set on Logan Paul, and Santos Escobar has done nothing to earn an opportunity.

Solo Sikoa might be the only option in the interim, and it's too soon for Rhodes to be revisiting that rivalry. For as stacked as the SmackDown roster is, the stunning lack of depth at the main event level is an alarming issue WWE should seek to solve as soon as possible.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.