AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman is a Hall of Famer at just 27 years old. On Monday, Dec. 18, the wrestling champion best known as MJF was inducted into The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, in Commack, New York at the Suffolk Y JCC.
MJF’s Induction Speech for the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
When accepting his induction, MJF spoke about his pride in his religion and the significance of being honored by the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He encouraged children to chase after their dreams no matter what and to never listen to people who doubt them.
“I’m so proud to be a Jew. Growing up, there was not a lot of people to look up to, as far as it went to the professional wrestling landscape,” said MJF.
He added that he did look up to the likes of Paul Heyman and Goldberg, who are also Jewish. However, he joked that Heyman wasn’t an athlete and the former WCW World Heavyweight Champion never discussed being Jewish on TV and just made “Growling noises.”
He added, “…So it’s really important to me that there’s going to be a crop of kids that are going to have somebody that they get to look up to.”
Friedman joins his family member in the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, NFL player Benny Friedman.
MJF Year In Wrestling
It has been a memorable year for MJF, as he has held the AEW World Championship throughout 2023. He won the title by defeating Jon Moxley at AEW Full Gear on November 19, 2022. While fans weren’t sure what to expect from him as a champion, MJF has had one of the best reigns in the company’s history.
He’s successfully defended the title in high-profile matches against Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and Kenny Omega. The AEW World Champion also had the honor of main eventing the company’s biggest event, AEW All In, on August 27 in a sold-out crowd in Wembley Stadium in London, England.
MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe at AEW World’s End on December 30 from Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum.
The latest achievement of getting inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall Of Fame is another great highlight for MJF this year.