Wrestling fans were reminded of 2016 NXT while watching AEW All Out.
Prior to becoming the World Champion for All Elite Wrestling, the early days of MJF’s career saw him do extra work in WWE. Years later when The Devil arrived on the wrestling scene, fans would recognise his earlier work as the security guard who was shoved by Samoa Joe during Joe’s entrance at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II.
Seven years later the spot was recreated in Chicago. MJF and Adam Cole successfully retained the ROH Tag Team Championships against Alex Reynolds and John Silver in the opening match of the show. Not wanting to wait, Joe would make his entrance for the next match as Cole and MJF made their way up the ramp. With history repeating itself, Joe shoved MJF once again as the two champions crossed paths on the ramp.
Unlike 2016, MJF was not going to walk away. The World Champion went after The Samoan Submission Machine, resulting in multiple members of security needing to separate them. Fans instantly recognised the reference and posted online screengrabs and videos of the two incidents side-by-side.
Later on social media, MJF would acknowledge their past and state that this time it would be different:
I’m not the kid you shoved in Brooklyn, motherf*cker. Game on.
In parallel to the last time that they met, Joe was NXT Champion during the Takeover entrance and MJF held the top prize in the return meeting.
WWE Rivalry Referenced By Bryan Danielson
Also acknowledging his past in WWE was Bryan Danielson, who defeated Ricky Starks in his return match at All Out. During the pre-show of the event, Danielson discussed the upcoming strap match by referencing a previous encounter with Bray Wyatt.