MJF teased an impending bidding war in 2024 for his services. Now, it appears that he is off the AEW roster.
MJF’s AEW World Title Loss & Disappearance
At Worlds End, MJF lost of the AEW World Title to Samoa Joe. MJF was banged up, after suffering several injuries leading to the event, but he persevered and had the match anyway.
AEW made a notable move by removing MJF from their official roster page on January 1st, 2024. The Salt of the Earth is currently absent from the roster listing.
MJF After AEW Worlds End
In the aftermath of AEW Worlds End, MJF notably abstained from participating in the media scrum. Tony Khan, when questioned about MJF’s AEW contract, skillfully avoided providing any specific details.
It’s worth mentioning that both within AEW and WWE, there is a belief that MJF may have signed a new contract with AEW upon his return before AEW All Out 2022.
Exclusive Insight On MJF’s AEW Contract Situation
It was previously reported that MJF is likely to take time off from AEW. A hiatus was expected following Worlds End, because he has several injuries that mounted up on him. Now, it appears he is totally gone from the roster, which is a must different story from a simple hiatus.
I have spoken to people within WWE, who have confirmed with me that there was no talking with MJF about coming in. The lack of discussions led many to believe that he did re-sign with Tony Khan. Now, this recent development of his removal from the official roster page adds a layer of intrigue.
MJF has made no secret about the number of injuries that he has raked up during his career, especially in recent memory. Now, the Salt of the Earth is expected to take some time off.
MJF Taking Time Off
MJF lost the AEW World Title to Samoa Joe at AEW Worlds End. That was a hard-fought main event match in Long Island, MJF’s homestead, but he still lost to the Samoa Submission Machine via a chokehold.
After the match, Adam Cole revealed himself to be The Devil. The Kingdom, Roderick Strong, and Wardlow were also unveiled as his associates. That storyline will apparently carry on without MJF as a target, because Our Scumbag is taking time off.
Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that many within AEW that he spoke to “immediately following AEW Worlds End said that they expect MJF to be off TV for a while immediately, if not almost immediately.”
MJF had sustained a plethora of injuries during his AEW Title reign, but was adamant that he wanted to see it through. As MJF is often influential in his own creative, there’s always a chance he could insist on an absence not happening, but it’s expected internally.
MJF has not brought up the Bidding War of 2024 in a while, and most believe that it is due to a contract resigning that was not publicly announced. There are also currently no talks between MJF and WWE at this time.
MJF also wants a dual career in Hollywood and pro wrestling. With The Iron Claw’s release, that possibility is certainly out there for the former AEW World Champion.
Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Wardlow were revealed as the Devils during AEW Worlds End. Despite MJF’s ongoing angle with that masked faction, it appears that he will be taking some time off.
MJF took over the pro wrestling scene since AEW broke barriers in 2019, proving that the landscape can handle more than one mainstream company. Now, as the Bidding War of 2024 is still allegedly looming, MJF has a bright future ahead of him.
MJF’s Transition into Hollywood
The 27-year-old AEW World Champion is also featured as Lance Von Erich in The Iron Claw film. He was credited as executive producer on the film as well.
During an interview with Comicbook, MJF outlined his future aspirations in acting. He expressed his belief that in five years, he envisions being a familiar face in television and film.
MJF also stated that his desire is to balance both professional wrestling and acting as full-time pursuits simultaneously. Additionally, he mentioned his goal of releasing a music album in the future.
“I genuinely think in five years from now, I’m going to be a guy that people see regularly on their TV screen outside of the professional wrestling landscape.”
“Trust me, I love wrestling too much to not still be involved in it. I will most likely still be full-time, but I want to be acting full-time as well by then. I would also like to put out an album by then. I would like to be a well distinguished actor that is recognized as being a great actor that transitioned from wrestling like these greats that did it before me. Like Dwayne [The Rock], like Batista. Like Cena.”
MJF claimed that he has not inked a new deal with AEW. His current contract was said to be up in 2024. This led to many promos that hinted about the possibility of MJF seeking employment elsewhere.
Those in WWE I have spoken with believe that MJF actually inked a new deal with AEW prior to his 2022 return. That would mean his deal is not really up in 2024 as he previously stated.
The world seems open for MJF as he keeps going. He is also 1/2 of the ROH Tag Team Titles. The Salt of the Earth will team with Samoa Joe to defend those titles against The Devil’s minions on AEW Dynamite this week.
MJF is one of the most charismatic people in the pro wrestling business, and he’s been on WWE’s radar for a while. That doesn’t mean he’s jumping ship from AEW any time soon. Despite MJF’s recent claims, there is a belief within WWE that he is working the pro wrestling community regarding his contract status.
Earlier today, AEW World Champion MJF participated in The SI Media Podcast and responded to a report about his contract status. He claimed that no new deal has been signed at this time.
Report Contradicting MJF’s Claim
A new report has confirmed our previous reporting that MJF has not engaged in discussions with WWE. Additionally, WWE internally holds the belief that Maxwell Jacob Friedman quietly renewed his contract with AEW some time ago.
Haus of Wrestling is now reporting that “One higher-up WWE source responded simply with ‘storyline.'” The report elaborated to say that word within the company is that MJF inked a new deal with AEW before he even returned to the company after his 2022 hiatus.
Another higher-up source at WWE reiterated that they heard Friedman had re-signed last year and believe it happened before his return at AEW All Out 2022 as The Devil. They went on to say that Friedman is “locked in” and got a huge deal when he re-negotiated his contract with Tony Khan last year.
There are many reasons why MJF might not deluge his actual contract status with Tony Khan’s company. With his contract supposedly running up in 2024, along with AEW’s television rights, one has to assume that AEW wouldn’t want to hide the fact that they locked down their World Champion for years to come.
SE Scoops’ Previous Reporting
This falls in line to what I have been told, and previously reported. There is no talk about the Great Bidding War of 2024 anymore for a reason. The internal belief within WWE is that a new deal between Tony Khan and MJF was signed a long time ago.
It’s uncertain why MJF would work his contract situation, but that is his story right now. We will have to see if his contract status creeps its way back into AEW’s storyline sometime next year.
Cody Rhodes transitioning from AEW to WWE in 2022 sparked speculation among fans that anyone, including a company co-founder, could depart AEW for WWE. It seems that nobody is off the table, either.
Jade Cargill also made a similar move in 2023, and fans are still waiting for her official in-ring debut. Considering MJF’s willingness to discuss WWE, and the great Bidding War of 2024, fans have pondered whether he might eventually follow his friend and mentor Cody Rhodes to WWE as well.
“I think one day you will see MJF in WWE. I’m really proud of him. For those that don’t know, MJF was one of my recruits and probably the one I’m most excited about because of potential and personality and overall professionalism. One thing I’m proud of him for doing is, if you notice, he’s put on a lot of muscle and he’s put it on safely over the last year and a half. When he does make that jump, I don’t know when that is, if he makes the jump. If he comes to WWE, you have to stand across from guys like Drew McIntyre, like Omos, Brock Lesnar. I’m not shaming anyone who is not hitting the gym and clanging and banging with the weights, like The Rock would say, but it is part of what we do now. You have to be able to swing a bat with the big boys. Watching him grow physically, it seems like maybe he knows where his future lies. Really, your guess is as good as mine. I never bother him about it because I want to remain the friends we’ve become today.”
Recent speculation has stated that MJF may have already inked a new deal with AEW. He hasn’t brought up the Bidding War of 2024 in a while, and that caused some to wonder what his next move is.
Exclusive Insight on WWE and MJF’s Current Standing
I have asked around on several occasions about WWE’s interest in MJF, and whether there is any talk about bringing him in. There have never been any talks within the creative team about MJF, because a deal hasn’t been signed.
As I have previously stated, WWE creative team members are usually only approached once someone is actually signed. On a very rare occasion, they will be asked if they have any ideas for someone that the company is considering, but it doesn’t seem that there are any discussions with MJF.
I was also told that the general thought within WWE is that MJF already inked a new deal with Tony Khan. AEW just hasn’t publicly announced that yet for some reason.
MJF may stay with AEW for another contract cycle, and that could work out just fine for him. At 27-years-old, MJF still has plenty of time with WWE if he waited another three or four years.
It’s anyone’s guess how different the pro wrestling world would be today if WWE scooped up MJF after his Tough Enough audition tape. On that note, you may check out that amazing piece of pro wrestling history below.
MJF can see himself having a “tremendous” match with WWE Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman currently competes under the AEW banner, while Reigns dominates in WWE as both the WWE Champion and Universal Champion.
Despite this, MJF tells Brandon Walker (via the Barstool Rasslin podcast) that he thinks he’d have a “tremendous” match with The Tribal Chief, if they shared the ring.
“I would imagine. I think me and him would have a tremendous match. I think it would be a friendly competition. I would also love to wrestle Seth Rollins. I would love to wrestle The Miz.”
MJF Teasing a WWE Run
A match between MJF and Reigns certainly isn’t outside of the realm of possibility. MJF has been very open about the fact that his contract with AEW is set to expire at the beginning of 2024.
In fact, he’s even gone as far as saying that he’s willing to jump ship to WWE if Vince McMahon shells out the money. For now, MJF will have to play out his contract in AEW, as he’s currently locked in a feud with Wardlow.
“Now, if/when I were to go over there, I’d have me a ball, because I built my brand and established myself here. When I go over there, I’m not gonna have to deal with the same type of bullshit that poor Shawn Spears had to deal with”
– MJF on a potential WWE run
Reigns and The Bloodline, on the other hand, continue to wreak havoc on both the RAW and SmackDown brands now that Reigns holds both World Titles.
If Reigns and MJF ever do get to cross paths in the near future, it will certainly be a match wrestling fans will be paying very close attention to.
Would you like to see MJF and Reigns share the ring one day? Sound off in the comments!
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has an all-time dream opponent, and it just so happens to be a WWE Hall Of Famer.
Recently, MJF took part in a Q&A during the For The Love Of Wrestling convention in Liverpool, England. During the Q&A, MJF was asked about his all-time dream opponent. The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star answered with WWE Hall Of Famer Rowdy Roddy Piper.
“Roddy Piper,” MJF said. “I feel the only person that in the modern who can hold a candle to me on the stick, whether I want to admit it or not, is CM Punk. Even though I beat him in his hometown of Chicago, verbally. Absolutely bent him over with my mic skills.
“Do I think Roddy Piper is the only person that could go toe-to-toe with me on the stick in the history of professional wrestling? The answer’s yes. Was the man absolutely insane, and do I think we would have a barbaric match as well that would stand the test of time? Yes.
“I got a lot of people tell me that I remind of the Rowdy one, and I think that would be one hell of a match. So, that is my answer.”
Sadly, Piper passed away in 2015. However, MJF could find his way to WWE in the near future. In January of 2024, MJF’s contract with AEW is set to expire, and he has been very open about possibly journeying over to WWE.
The 26-year-old has stated that, if Vince McMahon is willing to shell out the cash, he’ll happily jump ship. This would be a pretty big move, as only one notable star has left AEW for WWE. That being Cody Rhodes, who left AEW earlier this year and re-debuted in WWE at WrestleMania 38 against Seth Rollins.
It will be interesting to see if MJF ultimately decides to depart to WWE in 2024, or if he’ll stick around with AEW for the foreseeable future.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) says there will be a bidding war for his services when his AEW contract expires in 2024. He’s not bluffing.
The Long Island loudmouth has teased the “bidding war of the century.”
MJF still under contract for almost 3 more years. However, in what has become somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy, MJF has gotten attention of TV executives from the Fox and NBC Universal (USA Network). They want WWE to make a play for him.
According to Andrew Zarian of the We’re Live, Pal podcast, MJF’s talk a 2024 bidding war has ‘got people buzzing.’
”It almost worked the corporate side of stuff on USA and even Fox,” said Zarian. “It perked their ears like ‘hey, this guy is really good. Is his contract ending in 2024? Is that true? There have been conversations and I know WWE is very interested in him.”
WWE and its television partners realize they need to invest in young talent. MJF is with AEW for the foreseeable future, but WWE could make a play for him in a few years.
Zarian’s comments can be heard in the player below:
Tony Khan Comments On An MJF Bidding War In 2024
Tony Khan appeared on Busted Open Radio shortly after MJF made the comment about a bidding war in 2024. The AEW President is fine with the idea that he could be bidding for MJF’s services come that time.
“I have no problem with it,” Khan said. “I signed him to a five year contract two years ago, he has three years left. I’m totally fine. There may be a bidding war in 2024, I’m fine with that.”
MJF believes that if he can defeat CM Punk, becoming the first person in AEW to do so, it would be the biggest highlight of his career. The 2x Dynamite Diamond Ring winner was recently interviewed by Sports Illustrated and spoke about what a win over Punk would mean to him.
“It doesn’t get bigger than that,” MJF said. “I’m well aware of it. Pinning his shoulders to the mat would be the biggest highlight of my career.”
MJF also spoke about his promo battle with CM Punk on the Thanksgiving episode of Dynamite doing particularly good in the ratings.
“Here are the facts,” MJF continued. “We didn’t have a script. We didn’t have a time limit. Me and Punk were in that ring, just talking, on Thanksgiving Eve. That should have drawn, maximum, 700,000 viewers, and I’m being generous.”
He continued, “That’s the greatest night to go out with your friends. It’s not a night to stay in. You’re with friends or you’re with family. But when we were in the ring, over a million people were watching.”
This week on Dynamite, MJF will enter into the 3rd annual Dynamite Diamond Battle Royal. The 2 final remaining competitors in the match will then meet at Winter is Coming on December 15th and the winner of that match will win the Dynamite Diamond ring.
The show this will will be held from the UBS Arena on Long Island, MJF’s hometown. Last week on Dynamite, MJF said he will get a better reaction in Long Island than “Roddy Piper in Portland”, “Bret Hart in Canada” or “CM Punk in Chicago.”
“Long Island is the most magical place in the world,” Friedman says. “That’s reality. I’ve had multiple chances to move other places, but nothing calls to me like home. I grew up in Nassau County. I’m the kid who raised his hand in class and said, ‘I’m going to be a pro wrestler.’ I’m becoming a god on the water in this little slice of Americana.
Ric Flair recently spent some time on his podcast speaking about the CM Punk and MJF promo battle that took place in Chicago on Dynamite. During the conversation, Flair praised Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
“I’m a big fan of MJF,” Flair said. “The kid can talk and more than that, he carries himself like a pro, he dresses [like a pro]. I can’t emphasize enough how important in my estimation it is to look professional and that kid always looks sharp and I’ll leave it like that.”
Mark Madden was insistent that Punk should not have mentioned The Miz during the promo and shouldn’t have mentioned the other company at all.
“There was an interview between CM Punk and MJF who are both great on the mic and I thought it was a great segment,” Madden said on the show. “But CM Punk called MJF a ‘less famous Miz.’ I don’t get that, I don’t get invoking a guy from the other show especially when you came over from that show not too long ago.”
Madden continued, “It kind of tells people that the other show is the real show when you say their guy is better than our guy. I just didn’t get the wisdom of that. I thought the segment was so damn good I didn’t really track that part of it, you know? But you’re right, why ever bring up the other company?” Flair responded.
Ric Flair and Mark Madden discussing the CM Punk – MJF segment can be viewed in the video below:
If you use any of the above quotes please credit SEScoops for the transcriptions.
During a recent promo, MJF noted that he is going to cause a bidding war to occur in 2024 when his AEW contract is up. AEW President Tony Khan recently appeared on Busted Open Radio and noted that he was aware MJF was going to make those statements and he’s also prepared to engage in such a bidding war.
“Yes, I knew he was going to say that, he’s been saying it for a long time,” Khan said on the show. “I have no problem with it. I signed him to a five year contract two years ago, he has three years left. I’m totally fine. There may be a bidding war in 2024, I’m fine with that.”
“I signed him (MJF) to a five year contract two years ago, he has three years left. I'm totally fine. There may be a bidding war in 2024, I'm fine with that.”
Khan continued to say during the conversation that anyone who signs with WWE these days is only signing a temporary arrangement, not a real contract.
“Anyone who signs a contract (with WWE) these days, is not signing a real contract. It’s a temporary arrangement. People who come wrestle with me, a lot of these people are frankly lifers and they know that,” Khan said.
“There is a lot more security with a contract here. I can’t say I’m going to extend every contract or bring every person back, but I also haven’t been doing mass layoffs,” Khan continued.
The rivalry between Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman had many twists and turns. At one point the two delivered a song and dance routine over dinner. Then MJF defeated Chris Jericho to earn a spot in the Inner Circle. Then MJF formed the Pinnacle to feud with Jericho’s faction. Eventually, there was the 5 Labors of Jericho and then The Final Fight at All Out.
Jericho recently reflected on the longest storyline of his career in a post to Instagram.
“Jericho vs MJF was THE longest storyline of my career…and one of the best,” Jericho wrote. “The angle started in Sept of 2020 and it ended last night at one of the greatest PPVs of all time, with the good guy making the bad guy tap out.”
“The angle between the The Inner Circle and The Pinnacle was full of twists and turns, comedy, tragedy, friendship, betrayal, blood, bubbly and genuine animosity. But overall, I feel it was a brilliant, expertly told tale that was one of the best in the business from the last 20 years. I hope all of you enjoyed watching this pro wrestling magnum opus as much we did telling it!!! On to the next challenge….”
Chris Jericho vs Maxwell Jacob Friedman Statistics
The first singles match between Jericho and MJF took place at Full Gear on November 7th, 2020. MJF won that match, as well as the Fifth Labor of Jericho before Jericho won at Final Fight, giving MJF a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series in singles matches.
Jericho and MJF teamed together 7x throughout the storyline as well. They went a perfect 6-0 in these matches before losing a title match to the Young Bucks At AEW Revolution 2021.
MJF and Jericho were also on opposing sides of 2 different tag-team matches during the angle. The Pinnacle won the Blood and Cuts double-cage match while the Inner Circle won the Stadium Stampede match at Double or Nothing.
AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman is the first pro wrestler to have his own cryptocurrency. MJF Coin ($MJF) is now live on the Rally platform.
You can purchase $MJF coin here at Rally.io.
“My crypto coin is better than yours and you know it. Check Twitter for random giveaways for whoever is holding the most $MJF,” reads a description for the currency.
Early investors in $MJF coin are making big returns. The cryptocurrency opened at $2.262 per coin. As of this writing, it’s trading at over $9.
The Rally platform allows celebrities and influencers to launch their own online currency. The idea is that celebrities can accept their own currency in exchange for exclusive content, as well as physical and digital products.
“Rally offers anyone with an online community the ability to launch their own coin without the complexity of coding on the ethereum blockchain. Rally is a decentralized platform completely governed by the community. This means that creators and their communities have unfettered control to use their social tokens across all social platforms.”
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (aka MJF) is currently the #1 ranked wrestler in AEW’s men’s singles division. He has yet to be pinned or submitted in the promotion.
AEW is now promoting that MJF will address the state of the wrestling industry this Wednesday night on Dynamite.
BREAKING NEWS@The_MJF will appear on Dynamite this Wednesday, to address the state of the industry.
MJF also sent out the following Tweet with just the words “40 days”. 40 days from today will be Saturday, September 5th, 2020. AEW’s “All Out” PPV is currently scheduled for that date.
MJF has been making various ominous comments about AEW World Champion Jon Moxley as of late as well. Could MJF be lobbying for a title shot at All Out? It seems we could find out on Wednesday night.
MJF has wrestled 18 times for All Elite Wrestling. He is 1-2 in battle royals, 0-1 in fatal 4-ways, 3-1 in tag matches, and a perfect 10-0 in singles matches.
5/25/19: 21 Man Casino Battle Royal (won by Hangman Page)
6/29/19: Hangman Page defeated Jimmy Havoc vs Jungle Boy vs MJF (Fyter Fest 2019- 4-way match)
7/13/19: Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears defeated Darby Allin, Jimmy Havoc & Joey Janela (Fight for the Fallen 2019)
10/2/19: Maxwell Jacob Friedman defeated Brandon Cutler
11/20/19: Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal won by Hangman Page and MJF (final 2 participants would meet the following week for the Dynamite Diamond Ring.)
11/27/19: MJF defeated Hangman Page
1/15/20: The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) & MJF defeated Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall (AEW Bash at the Beach)
1/21/20: MJF defeated Joey Janela
2/12/20: MJF defeated Jungle Boy
2/29/20: MJF defeated Cody (AEW Revolution)
3/11/20: MJF & The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) defeated The Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt)
5/13/20: MJF defeated Lee Johnson
5/20/20: MJF defeated Marko Stunt
5/23/20: MJF defeated Jungle Boy (Double or Nothing)
5/27/20: TNT Title #1 Contender Battle Royal won by Jungle Boy
6/11/20: MJF defeated Billy
7/1/20: The Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) defeated MJF & Wardlow
AEW has released updated top-5 rankings ahead of tonight’s edition of Dynamite. MJF continues to top the men’s single’s rankings with an undefeated 6-0 record.
#3 Penelope Ford and #4 the Dark Order also made gains in the rankings this week.
AEW Men’s Single’s Rankings
AEW World Champion: Jon Moxley (13-0) TNT Champion: Cody (12-1)
MJF (6-0)
Lance Archer (6-1)
Brodie Lee (5-1)
Kenny Omega (4-0)
Chris Jericho (2-1)
There was no movement in the men’s single’s division this week in AEW. TNT Champion Cody successfully defended his title against Marq Quen. #2 Lance Archer picked up a single’s victory on Dark. Champion Jon Moxley, #1 MJF, #3 Brodie Lee, #4 Kenny Omega, and #5 Chris Jericho all had the week off.
#4 Kenny Omega will team with Hangman Page tonight to defend the tag belts against the Natural Nightmares. #5 Chris Jericho will team with Sammy Guevara to take on the Best Friends with the winners facing the champions at Fyter Fest. #1 MJF will face Billy from the Gunn club tonight as well.
AEW Women’s Division
Champion: Hikaru Shida (11-1)
Nyla Rose (6-2)
Kris Statlander (4-4) (injured)
Penelope Ford (4-3) (+2)
Britt Baker (4-4) (injured) (-1)
Yuka Sakazaki (1-1) (-1)
#3 Penelope Ford moves up 2 spots after pinning the champion in tag-team action last week. She teamed with #1 Nyla Rose to earn the victory over champion Hikaru Shida and #2 Kris Statlander last week.
Unfortunately, Statlander announced this week she’s out with a torn ACL that will require surgery. #4 Britt Baker is also on the shelf/in a “Role’s Royce” for awhile.
AEW Tag Team Division
Champions: Kenny Omega & Hangman Page (7-0)
Best Friends (9-3)
The Natural Nightmares (5-0)
Private Party (4-2)
The Dark Order (6-0) (previously unranked)
Young Bucks (2-2)
SCU drops out of the tag rankings this week and #4 the Dark Order are ranked once again. Stu Grayson and Evil Uno picked up a win on Dark this week after having been absent for weeks due to travel restriction between the US and Canada.
It’s a big week for the tag division tonight, however. The tag titles are on the line as the champions defend against #2 the Natural Nightmares. #1 The Best Friends will put their previously earned title shot on the line against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara (Le Sex Gods) as well.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman is currently on the shelf with a hangnail. He updated fans on his condition during the latest episode of AEW Dynamite. Recently, MJF took a shot at both EC3 and Drake Maverick on Facebook. Friedman said that EC3’s new gimmick appears to be a Jon Moxley rip-off and he told him and Maverick to sign with Impact Wrestling since they are the only promotion who would take them.
“Hey Essential Character III (EC3) or whatever name you call yourself these days, why don’t you take your loser gimmick back to Impact Wrestling, the only company that will take your new Jon Moxley rip off character and take that irritating little weasel Drake Maverick/Rockstar Spud with you!” MJF wrote on Facebook. “Extended an olive branch to you and what did you do with it, spat in the face of someone who is better than you and you know it!”
EC3 had mentioned MJF in a recent video he posted.
“The Top 1% is a character that could garner a reaction, to entertain you, and its a character I could do better than anybody else, MJF,” EC3 says in the video. “It was a reality, though, that I simply imitated.”
ec3 character synopsis?? ?? Created by a perfect storm of frustration, angst, restraint, solitude and the sense of losing everything, the character of ec3 forced himself to consider the inconceivable.?? ?? That he was defeated.?? pic.twitter.com/63vA5avDgg
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has not wrestled since March 11th, 2020. He teamed with the Butcher and the Blade on Dynamite that night and defeated the Jurassic Express. MJF has wrestled just once since defeating Cody Rhodes at AEW Revolution. It appears that MJF’s infrequent schedule might be as a result of an injury.
MJF noted on Twitter today that he is dealing with something that may require surgery.
My Issue has gotten worse, Its looking like I Might need surgery.
Earlier this month, MJF noted that he was dealing with something that was preventing him from performing.
I wish I could put my body on the line more for you guys. I truly care so much about you being entertained during your hour of need. Unfortunately something awful has happened to me and it has gradually gotten worse. I can’t comment on what the issue is at this time. https://t.co/1WoXSzPh7r
When AEW revealed its top-5 rankings for April 1st, 2020, MJF was not ranked. He had been ranked #2 the week prior. We noted in our AEW rankings post that week that his dropping out of the rankings was likely due to inactivity as he had only wrestled once in all of March.
MJF is 5-0 in AEW single’s matches. He’s defeated Brandon Cutler, Hangman Page, Joey Janela, Jungle Boy, and Cody. He’s also been in 2 battle royals that he didn’t win and one fatal-4 way match that was won by Hangman Page and also involved Jimmy Havoc and Jungle Boy. MJF is 3-0 in tag-team matches.
Major League Wrestling presented another episode of Fusion this weekend on BeIN Sports and YouTube. The show was headlined by a loser-leaves-town empty arena match between Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Mance Warner.
The full episode can be viewed in the player below:
MLW Fusion 4/4/20 Quick Results:
Douglas James defeated Septimo Dragon via submission
Loser Leaves Town Empty Arena Match Mance Warner defeated MJF
Maxwell Jacob Friedman Forced To Leave The Territory
The rivalry between the Southern Psychopath and Maxwell Jacob Friedman all came down to this. After the Dynasty attacked him at the pay window recently, Warner put everything on the line in order to get revenge. MJF cut a passionate promo before the match informing “O’l Mancer” that he’s not the only one who can go psycho in MLW. In the end, however, MJF would try every trick in the book to get away from the Southern Psychopath during the match. At one point, the Dynasty member even attempted to call a taxi to make his escape.
MJF attempted to take the advantage late in the match with a thumb to the eye but Warner countered with a headbutt and a big-time lariat and got the 3-count. With the loss, MJF is gone from MLW.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman had quite the run with the promotion, having won both the middleweight title and the tag titles (with Richard Holliday). After his final booking with MLW, MJF sent the following out on Twitter:
While my time with @MLW is over I can assure you the Dynasty will live on….forever.
Vignettes have been airing in recent weeks promoting Pagano’s arrival to the territory. Pagano is a decorated luchador, most notably in AAA. He is a former AAA World Tag Team champion with El Mesias. He also won the Copa Antonio Pena tournament in 2018.
Injury Updates On Brian Pillman Jr. and Killer Kross
Back to Back Rookie of the Year!!! Wish me luck as I plan to do the same in 2020!!! pic.twitter.com/8F4oTJKYKK
Fans were given injury updates on both Killer Kross and Brian Pillman Jr. this week. After being attacked in the back by King Mo and Team Filthy, doctors recommend that Kross have no contact in the ring or in training for 180 days unless a waiver is signed. Kross offered to sign the waiver but his employers located in Stamford would not allow it.
As for Pillman, he suffered a fractured mandible and a dislocated temporomandibular joint due to the recent attack by Injustice. The trio has been suspended and fined by the league. There is currently no timetable for Pillman’s return.
In the opener this week, it looked as though Septimo Dragon had Douglas James right where he wanted him. Ultimately, however, James was able to make the luchador submit to a guillotine choke. Dragon had just hit a driver when he went to the top looking for a double foot-stomp. He missed the top-rope move and it allowed James to land a knee to the face, a superkick, and then a death valley driver into the corner before locking in the submission. With the win, James should move closer to a top-10 ranking in the promotion.
MLW Top-10 Rankings Via PWI
MLW presented a segment this week dedicated to counting down the top-10 rankings in the promotion via Pro Wrestling Illustrated:
MLW World Champion: Jacob Fatu
Alexander Hammerstone (National Openweight Champion)
Coming up in MLW, the promotion heads back to Mexico. The next few episodes of Fusion will feature the “Super Series” between MLW and AAA. This series is set to focus the best of both promotions as the relationship between AAA and MLW deepens. The show took place in Tijuana and featured multiple title matches for belts from both promotions.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman evidently had quite the high school experience. The #2 ranked wrestler in AEW’s male single’s rankings recently boasted on Twitter that he sang in both an acapella group and choir while attending high school. Footage of him singing an acapella version of Sugar Ray’s “Someday” has recently surfaced online.
The name of MJF’s group was the “Acafellas.” He is featured prominently in the group’s rendition of the Sugar Ray song. MJF comes in around the 4:08 mark of the below video:
MJF noted on Twitter in response to the video that he is the only graduate of his high school to be All-State in football.
Only Plainview JFK graduate to be All State in football (middle linebacker)
All-round nice guy and salt-of-the-Earth Maxwell Jacob Friedman holds a 5-0 record in single’s matches.
2/10/19: defeated Brandon Cutler on AEW Dynamite #1
11/27/19: defeated Adam Page to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring on AEW Dynamite #9
1/21/20 defeated Joey Janela on AEW Dynamite #16
2/12/20 defeated Jungle Boy on AEW Dynamite #19
2/29/20 defeated Cody Rhodes at AEW Revolution
He is 3-0 in tag matches:
7/13/19: Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears defeated Darby Allin, Jimmy Havoc & Joey Janela at Fight for the Fallen
1/15/20: The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) & MJF defeated Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall at AEW Bash at the Beach
3/11/20: MJF & The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) defeated The Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt) on AEW Dynamite #23
He is 1 win and 2 losses in multi-person matches.
5/25/19: 21-Man Casino Battle Royal won by Adam Page
6/29/10: Adam Page defeated Jimmy Havoc, Jungle Boy, and MJF at Fyter Fest
11/20/19: Adam Page & MJF were the final two left in the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal and advanced to their single’s match for the ring the next week.
All Elite Wrestling’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has shared what he believes makes him stand out amongst today’s wrestling landscape. Speaking with Sports Illustrated ahead of his highly-anticipated matchup against Cody Rhodes, MJF credited his old school mentality as his defining characteristic.
“The funny thing about the independents is you got bookings based off of GIFs, the GIFs you see on Twitter,” MJF stated. “Someone doing a 759-30-splat-yada-yada, Darby’s coffin drops with the f—ing skateboard attached to his back, Orange Cassidy kicking people in the shins real slow, Jungle Boy doing flippity do-dahs and flippity-ays, the list goes on and on. I had a chuckle after my match with Jungle Boy when I saw everybody saying, ‘I had no idea MJF was such a great wrestler!’ Well, I knew. But why on earth would I put myself in a situation where I have to take these stupid moves? I’ll watch other matches and see moves and ask myself, ‘Why?’”
He argued how he’s “as old-school as it gets in this modern era” before stressing how he’s the last of a dying breed. MJF shared how he doesn’t care about GIFs or making people happy. “I didn’t care about people going, ‘Oh, my god, his work rate is absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to see his next five-star match.’”
MJF On His Old School Attitude
MJF noted how he cares about making sure that people remember him, but only for the right reasons. He wants to be the last thing fans think of when they go to sleep. He stressed how it wouldn’t be because he’s hitting the coolest moves or putting on his body on the line. It would be because of how he captivated them.
MJF stressed how he doesn’t do things to make people happy, he does things his way because it’s what he wants to do. As far as he’s concerned, that mentality is “what makes me different.”
MJF clashes with Cody Rhodes this Saturday at AEW Revolution. The pay-per-view takes place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Major League Wrestling presented an episode of Fusion from Dallas, Texas on BeIN Sports and YouTube this weekend. The show featured a no-ropes, no-holds-barred match between Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Simon Gotch as well as a single’s match between Marshall Von Erich and MJF. The Middleweight title was also on the line this week as Myron Reed from Injustice defended against AAA’s Drago.
MLW Fusion 2/1/20 Quick Results:
No Ropes, No Holds Barred Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Simon Gotch via referee stoppage
With this episode of Fusion having been taped in Dallas, Texas, the live crowd was enthusiastically behind Marshall Von Erich in this match here. The Von Erich’s bitter rival, Tom Lawlor, joined the broadcast booth for this one as well. Meanwhile, Ross Von Erich was off wrestling in Israel and wasn’t in attendance for the show.
To start off this match the two locked up and didn’t let go as they took their lockup to the outside, around the ring area, and then back into the ring again.
MJF would attempt to pull out all the tricks in the book during this match. At one point he trapped Marshall’s fingers in the steel connecting the turnbuckles in an effort to prevent the Iron Claw from being used on him. Hammerstone and the Dynasty’s newest member, Gino Medina, would attempt to interfere as well but to no avail. Marshall would pick up the victory with the Iron Claw as the Dallas fans went nuts. Following his victory, Marshall would have to fend off the remaining members of the Dynasty as well as Lawlor.
The loss likely spells the end of MJF’s time in MLW, at least for the foreseeable future. MJF finished up with the promotion at the tapings in Dallas but the Dynasty has added to its roster as of late and will look to continue its run of success in their post-MJF era.
King Mo Looking To Face Low-Ki?
An interview in the back with Low-Ki was interrupted by King Mo and Dan Lambert from American Top Team this week. Mo pointed out that Low-Ki trains with the Gracie family and King Mo KO’ed Roger Gracie in 2011. Low-Ki has been finishing his opponents via referee’s stoppage/KO as of late but King Mo doesn’t seem interested in giving him credit as MLW’s resident Knockout King.
Contra Unit is attempting to dismantle the Hart Foundation. Josef Samael sent Teddy Hart out of the territory with a fireball to the face and now the faction has turned its sights on Brian Pillman Jr. and the reigning Opera Cup winner, Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Last week, Samael challenged Smith to face Simon Gotch in a no-ropes, no-holds-barred Bloodsport-styled match. Smith and Gotch faced each other in such a match to kick things off this week on Fusion. The match started with a very technical style with both men looking for submissions. Eventually, Smith would change strategies, however, and won the match via referee’s stoppage after several suplexes in a succession relieved Gotch of his consciousness.
Drago had an opportunity to win the MLW Middleweight Championship this week against Myron Reed. The popular luchador from AAA would have to contend with the other members of Injustice, Jordan Oliver and Kotto Brazil, on the outside. In the end, the frequent interference would be too much for Drago and Reed would pick up the win with his patented springboard 450 Splash.
Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini Star In Dallas Spoof
With MLW in Texas, and Lawlor likely now the most hated man in the state, the former MLW World Champion debuted a vignette this week featuring himself and his Team Filthy stablemate. Lawlor’s video was a spoof on the famous Dallas TV series. Also along with Lawlor in this video was a member of Team Filthy, Dominic Garrini, who went “Full Gi” on the streets of Dallas as the pair tried on Cowboy boots and visited “Wild Bill’s Western Shop.”
Mance Warner was victorious over Jimmy Havoc in a barbed-wire match last week on Fusion. This week, cameras found a bloodied Warner backstage. According to Warner, now that he’s got Havoc in his rear-view mirror he’s going to drink a few beers and then go after gold. In particular, Warner mentioned that he’s going to be gunning after Alexander Hammerstone and the MLW National Openweight Championship.
MLW still has several matches from the Zero Hour tapings from January 11th, 2020 in Dallas to air. This weekend, the promotion was in Philadelphia’s famed 2300 Arena for Fightland as well.
Next week on AEW Dynamite, Cody Rhodes will be forced to take 10 lashes from his rival, Maxwell Jacob Friedman. MJF insisted on the stipulation as well as several others in order for Cody to receive a match against him at Revolution on February 29th. He explained the stipulation recently in a video posted to AEW’s social media accounts.
“Cody, a lot of people on the internet, they’re wondering ‘MJF, why 10 lashes? Why that stipulation?’ So specific, so vicious,” MJF says in the video. “It is specific. Allow me to specify why this is going to happen to your hero Cody Rhodes. A wise man once said, if you’re a walk-behinder the view never changes. And oddly enough, Cody Rhodes, that’s exactly was what you were going to allow me to be for the rest of my career. “
“Every lash will be with all my power and all my might and every single time that leather meets your skin it will symbolize all your lies and all your empty promises and you’re going to quit. You won’t make it to 10, hell you might not make it to 8. Do you want to know why Cody? I’ll tell you why. It’s because I’m better than you and you know it.”
AEW posted the below video of MJF cutting a promo on Cody and talking about why he decided on the 10 lashes stipulation.
SOCIAL EXCLUSIVE: "…and every single time that leather meets your skin. It will symbolize all of your lies & all of your empty promises." – @the_MJF.
Next week @CodyRhodes will receive 10 lashes on Dynamite!
All Elite Wrestling’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has claimed that his name “pops” a crowd more than Jon Moxley or even Chris Jericho. He also promised that it’s only a matter of time until he is AEW World Champion.
Speaking with News Chief, MJF explained how the character fans see every week is, in fact, “110 percent me” before adding how “This isn’t a gimmick.”
Despite his antagonistic personality, MJF believes he gets a more immediate reaction than even some of AEW’s top stars:
“I love Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley… but my name pops up more than them. What I’m capable of doing is grabbing you by your face through the TV set and pulling you in. You’re not going to be able to stop watching me. That’s called having ‘it,’ and I’ve got ‘IT’ in spades.”
“MJF Is Going To Be The AEW World Champion”
Turning his attention to the AEW World Championship, MJF reflected on his journey so far in the company. Many have named MJF as the one to watch in 2020, including WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page and AEW’s own Dustin Rhodes.
“I came into the company as a relative unknown to being one of the most talked-about wrestlers on the planet, that’s unheard of. Much sooner rather than later, put all your chips on it, MJF is going to be AEW world champion.”
MFJ is currently feuding with his former best friend, Cody Rhodes. On last week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF laid out the stipulations that Cody needs to accept in order to get the opportunity to face off against him.
All Elite Wrestling’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) was recently interviewed by local Florida newspaper, News Chief. During the interview, MJF took the opportunity to discuss his mentality when it comes to pro wrestling, portraying a loathsome heel, and which wrestling legends he has drawn inspiration from.
MJF recalled how, growing up, he loved all of the performers that most people hated. From Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Buddy Landel to “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He highlighted how his “biggest inspiration would be the Hot Rod.”
Like those that pushed the envelope before him, MFJ is willing to throw himself wholeheartedly into being hated. He explained how, “If there’s a line that people make, I hop over it as far as I can.”
He continued, “No one can tell me how to do my job. I’ve had people jump guardrails, try to stab me, throw (urine) on me, throw batteries. All that means is I’m being myself. The issue isn’t me, it’s everybody else.”
MJF Wants To Be Hated “For The Right Reasons”
Despite not caring if fans boo him, MJF is adamant that people should dislike him for the “right reasons,” pointing to his former mentor, Cody Rhodes, claiming that Rhodes is a “sociopathic monster.”
“I want them to boo me for the right reasons,” he said. “Cody is a sociopathic monster. He’s been on a blood rage since AEW started by trying to make himself the face of AEW. I saved them from a Ghengis Khan, and I gave them a face everybody could love.”
“When They Die I Will Not Care”
One legend that MJF is eager to learn from is Ring of Honor’s Bully Ray. Despite his willingness to listen to Bully Ray, however, that doesn’t mean MJF is open to advice from just anybody. MJF likened some veterans to old dogs, saying “They want to be fed treats to feel important.”
When it comes to those few he does regard, he noted how he simply wants to “use them” and “when they die I will not care, and I’m going to make sure the business is in good hands.”
In an interview with Sportskeeda, All Elite Wrestling’s Dustin Rhodes named who he believes will be the next major star in pro wrestling. For him, it’s somebody on the AEW roster. He confessed that, as a coach, he likes everybody in the AEW locker room, however one name stood out to him: Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
“Oh, man, a new up-and-comer, who not a lot of people know and they are starting to get to know now is MJF. He is really something special on the mic, and we haven’t seen too much of his ring ability yet but he’s good. He’s really good. I like his style.”
He continued, “Unfortunately he stabbed my brother in the back so I take that kind of personal when you’re messing with family – but as far as him being something special and big in this business, I think he’s going to be.”
Rhodes isn’t the only veteran to name MJF as a future star. Diamond Dallas Page recently answered that question with the same answer, noting how talented MJF is. Like Rhodes, DDP highlighted MJF’s ability to connect with the audience comparing his charisma and mic ability to talents like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Steve Austin and even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. His ability to make fans react is what has helped him stand out.
MJF is currently feuding with his former best friend, Cody Rhodes. He recently took credit for the assault Rhodes suffered at the hands of the Butcher, the Blade and the Bunny during a previous episode of AEW: Dynamite.
