AEW Dynamite kicked off with MJF's music, but it was CM Punk who made his way out to the ring. Despite being a fan-favourite every other night of the year, the Best in the World was mercilessly booed and proceeded to tear into the Long Island crowd with a pitch-perfect heel promo.
MJF himself then hit the ring, and appeared genuinely emotional upon receiving a hometown hero welcome from fans. He was still very much the cowardly heel in the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale, but ended up being the last man standing alongside Dante Martin (who turned on Team Taz and revealed he was, in fact, loyal to Lio Rush after all).
MJF and Martin will now square off during next week's "Winter Is Coming" edition of AEW Dynamite, but after the match ended, Ricky Starks vented his frustrations on Dante.
At the top of the ramp, MJF teased returning to help the up-and-comer and received a huge babyface reaction when he sprinted to the ring...to also attack Martin. A leopard doesn't change its spots, after all, but it was an incredible night for MJF and you can check out some highlights from the show below.