AEW World Heavyweight Champion MJF will be in attendance at UFC 282, which takes place on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The top AEW star previously traded shots with UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett on social media, where MJF called Paddy a “dollar store Connor McGregor.” He also claimed he wouldn’t last two seconds in a wrestling ring.
Pimblett told MJF to meet him when AEW travels to England in 2023, which led to MJF stating that he’s more than game to knock Pimblett out. Marc Raimondi of ESPN first reported on Friday that MJF would be at the UFC 282 pay-per-view event following the exchange.
The Confirmation
(AEW)
MJF seemingly confirmed the news in a tweet of his own as he told Pimblett that he’d see him in Vegas, as seen below:
At the event, Pimblett will fight Jared Gordon. With a win, he would continue his undefeated streak in the UFC.
For MJF, he is scheduled to defend the AEW World Championship against Ricky Starks on the December 14 episode of AEW Dynamite. After winning the title with help from Wiliam Regal when he beat Jon Moxley for it at Full Gear, MJF turned on Regal by attacking the respected wrestler.
Posted December 9th, 2022 in AEW, News. Tagged: MJF.
Ricky Starks had some harsh words for AEW World Champion MJF this week, but these weren’t planned in advance.
During AEW Dynamite, the two had a back and forth, with MJF borrowing from The Rock to call Starks a “roody poo candy a**.”
In response, Starks vowed to become the new AEW World Champion with some choice dialogue.
“I’m slapping that mole off your neck, I’m stomping an a**hole into you, and I’m taking that title.”
Ricky Starks.
Off Script
Starks certainly got the attention of fans with his promo this week, but it wasn’t what was originally planned.
During Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez noted that Starks did have a promo written down which was not used.
“I heard from multiple people yesterday that, apparently, he had a whole thing written down. It wasn’t like scripted or anything, but he had a thing written down that he was gonna do. And then he got out there and he just went off [Script.] He just went with it, and he went wild.”
Bryan Alvarez.
MJF and Starks will battle for the AEW World Championship on next week’s Winter is Coming edition of Dynamite.
The match will also be for MJF’s $150,000 Dynamite Diamond Ring.
Winter is Coming
This huge main event is just part of a stacked show that will take place next week.
The show will also feature the fourth match in the best-of-seven series between The Elite and AEW World Trios Champions Death Triangle.
The Champions currently lead over the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega by 2-1.
The House of Black will also be in action next week against opponents yet to be announced.
AEW World Champion MJF confronted Ricky Starks after he won the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale last night on AEW Dynamite.
Maxwell accused Starks of ripping off The Rock and called him a “Dollar Store Dwayne”. MJF continued with the insults and referred to Ricky as “The Pebble” and vowed to skip him back to “Billy Corgan’s NWA so he can wrestle on YouTube where he belongs”.
Ricky Starks responded with the promo of his life and insulted everything about MJF from his spray tan to his attitude. Starks became a star last night and has a chance to become the face of AEW when he battles MJF for the AEW World Championship next week at Dynamite: Winter is Coming.
MJF Blames Ricky Starks for Low Dynamite Rating
According to Brandon Thurston of WrestleNomics, AEW Dynamite brought 840,000 viewers with a 0.29 in the key 18-49 year old demographic. Last night’s show ranked #3 in the demo behind the NBA on ESPN.
Dynamite ranked #3 in P18-49 among cable originals for the day, according to Showbuzz Daily. #14 incl broadcast primetime.
The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer noted that Spectrum cable had issues with TBS and TNT last night during the Dynamite broadcast and that negatively impacted the rating.
5 Opponents for AEW World Champion MJF
MJF suggested that Ricky Starks is to blame for the low rating because he was the one that took out the spectrum boxes after their segment so he could look like a star.
I have inside information Ricky Starks took out all the spectrum boxes after our scuffle to ensure he seemed like a ratings draw in comparison to the rest of the show. This man is selfish and yet you love him?!? Sad.
I have inside information Ricky Starks took out all the spectrum boxes after our scuffle to ensure he seemed like a ratings draw in comparison to the rest of the show.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman is a humble young man, perhaps best known for his selflessness, kindness and compassion. Who are we kidding? He is a raging, egomaniacal narcissist who would probably marry himself if he could.
MJF now has the hardware to back up his grandiose feelings of self-satisfaction. As the reigning AEW World Heavyweight Champion, he’s more emboldened than ever. We’re just weeks into his MJF’s Reign of Terror and he’s already getting started reshaping the role of world champion in his own image.
Last week on Dynamite, we got a first glimpse at MJF’s custom AEW World championship belt. He also announced that he does not plan on defending the title as frequently as past champions, a stance some would call wise and others would call cowardly.
The Nickname
MJF appears will bre running with a new moniker, Mystic Max. On Tuesday, he posted a thread on Twitter showing off some of his biggest moments during his time in AEW. He included a caption containing a recent quote by who else but himself.
“Just call me Mystic Max because I have a feeling your happiness will soon turn into resentment, because you people are Fickle”
“Just call me Mystic Max because I have a feeling your happiness will soon turn into resentment, because you people are Fickle”- MJF pic.twitter.com/IyJSu1Vah1
Mystic is defined as, ‘inspiring a sense of spiritual mystery, awe, and fascination.’
Sounds just like our pal Max.
MJF’s next World title challenger is Ricky Starks, who won an eliminator tournament to earn a championship opportunity at Winter is Coming. MJF name dropped Eddie Kingston during his first promo since winning the world title, so a match between these two is likely in the works for early 2023.
Posted December 6th, 2022 in AEW, News. Tagged: MJF.
Sami Zayn was recently interviewed by Peter Rosenberg on the Cheap Heat podcast and said he would like to work with AEW World Champion MJF.
Maxwell captured the title from Jon Moxley in the main event of AEW Full Gear on November 19th. William Regal then slid MJF the brass knuckles and he punched Moxley with them to win the title. On this past Wednesday’s edition of Dynamite, MJF attacked Regal with the brass knuckles and introduced a new title design.
11 Best Moments from AEW Full Gear 2022
Sami Zayn competed in the main event of WWE Survivor Series WarGames last weekend. The Honorary Uce was the reason The Bloodline picked up the victory at the premium live event. Zayn hit Kevin Owens with a low blow, a Helluva Kick, and Jey followed it up with a Frog Splash for the pinfall victory.
8 Best Moments from WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2022
Peter Rosenberg asked Sami Zayn if there was anyone outside of WWE that he would like to work with and Sami thought about it for a bit before naming MJF.
The AEW World Champion recently appeared on Sam Roberts’ Wrestling Show and said that Sami Zayn is one of the most entertaining wrestlers on the planet.
MJF’s first AEW World Championship defense will be against Ricky Starks at Dynamite: Winter is coming on December 14th. Starks won the World Title Eliminator tournament to earn the title shot. Ricky will also be in the Battle Royal this Wednesday for the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF has won the ring the past three years.
AEW talent have reportedly been left scratching their heads over a recent booking decision made by Tony Khan.
At AEW Full Gear, William Regal turned on Jon Moxley and the Blackpool Combat Club to help MJF become the new AEW World Champion.
During this week’s Dynamite, MJF turned on Regal, and mocked the British wrestling veteran for making a deal with ‘the Devil.’
Questions
This week’s attack on Regal is being seen by many as the way he’ll be written off of TV, and the former King of the Ring is not expected to return.
It has been reported that Regal’s contract is expected to expire soon, which is something those high up in the company have known for some time.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer questioned why Tony Khan put so much emphasis on Regal’s turn and alliance with MJF, knowing he would be leaving soon.
According to Meltzer, several others in AEW have also questioned the decision of making a big deal about Regal and not having a big payoff.
“I can’t understand putting so much heel steam to the point of being the point man in stealing the title on Regal, when it was known by the key people by this point he was gone in a few weeks. I mean, story or not, the guy was leaving. A lot of talent has questioned that in the same way now that everyone knows he’s leaving.”
Dave Meltzer.
Regal is expected to return to WWE when the time is right after being released in January of this year.
MJF’s Title Win
MJF’s AEW World Championship victory at Full Gear was a long-time coming in the eyes of fans, as the Devil has been a highlight of the promotion for years.
In the Observer, it was reported that there were other pitches for his title win, with some not involving Regal as much, though there was always the need to write him out.
Meltzer writes that the core plan that has remains the same was for MJF to be champion, Bryan Danielson to be challenging and for Regal to be out of the picture.
Freddie Prinze Jr. recently appeared on the Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet and said he has a friendship with AEW World Champion MJF.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman has stated on numerous occasions that he will be a free agent in 2024 and is expecting the biggest contract in wrestling history. Prinze is reportedly starting his own promotion and recently made an offer to a big name in WWE.
Last night on AEW Dynamite, MJF introduced a new title called “BBB” (Big Burberry Belt) and brutally attacked William Regal. This was apparently a way to write William Regal out of AEW as he’s expected to return to WWE.
Speaking on the Insight podcast, Freddie praised MJF and said he meets with him every time the AEW World Champion visits Los Angeles.
I’ve gotten to know Maxwell over the last two years. Every time he comes to L.A., we make it a point to go to dinner. And I try to take him to a different sushi spot every time.
I’m not the most experienced and educated wrestling cat in the world, but I did work for the WWE and I did ask a million questions to the Pat Pattersons of the world, to the Freebirds of the world, to the Arn Andersons, the Dean Malenkos – all these old school people, and everything they taught me this dude has in spades.
Freddie added that it cool MJF gets to see people give him his flowers while he’s such a young performer.
It’s like Bruce Lee out there, man. It’s crazy, I know – I’m speaking about him like he’s a poet or Picasso, but that’s what he is … And the good thing is, he’s been appreciated within his lifetime, instead of long after he’s gone.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but that’s probably not what MJF was going for with his latest bombastic suit.
Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite saw Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s first appearance as AEW World Champion. It was an eventful segment that saw the 26-year-old send William Regal to the hospital and the introduction of his custom “BBB” AEW World title belt.
Friedman marked the big occasion by donning a custom suit that features the text, “Better Than You” all over it. As seen below, MJF will stop at nothing to express his feelings of superiority.
MJF has been throwing shade at Conor McGregor for years now and his “Better Than You” suit may be his latest attempt to goad The Notorious into an in-person confrontation.
The UFC megastar made headlines in 2017 when he wore the infamous “F-U” suit during his press tour for his fight against boxing champion Floyd Mayweather. The custom three-piece “F-U” suit was designed by David August and cost around $6,500.
There are similarities between MJF and Conor McGregor, but don’t tell that to MJF. Back in December 2020, he called comparisons to McGregor “cute” and “laughable.”
MJF said he appreciates what McGregor did in the UFC, but McGregor couldn’t spar with him and would get “absolutely bent over, if you know what I mean” on the microphone.
William Regal made his way to the ring tonight on AEW Dynamite to a chorus of boos from the crowd in Indianapolis tonight.
He only was able to head to the ring because Jon Moxley was escorted out of the arena minutes prior. Moxley kicked off this week’s Dynamite but was interrupted by Hangman Page.
Hangman was making his return after suffering a concussion in a recent title match against Moxley before he dropped the belt to MJF at AEW Full Gear. Hangman Page and Jon Moxley traded punches before security broke it up. The brawl continued later on the show backstage and the two were taken out of the arena.
William introduced new AEW World Champion MJF and he got a great reaction from the crowd. Maxwell claimed that he was above the title because it reminded him of the men who have held it before.
He introduced a new title and referred to it as “BBB” (Big Burberry Belt). MJF said he is going to use the title as a bargaining chip in the bidding war of 2024, and he hopes the right Khan pays up, and he wasn’t talking about Tony.
5 Opponents for AEW World Champion MJF
Before the end of his promo, MJF pulled out the brass knuckles William Regal slid him at the end of the main event of Full Gear. MJF said Regal was a genius and noted a recent email William sent him.
The email was Regal offering MJF to become a better villain and suggesting that he use brass knuckles instead of the Dynamite Diamond Ring against Jon Moxley. Maxwell then punched Regal in the back of the head with the brass knuckles and quoted Regal’s email from seven years ago to him. MJF told Regal to “send him his stuff” down the line because right now he’s only hiring world-class athletes.
Bryan Danielson rushed the ring but MJF had already made his escape. MJF made multiple references to Danielson during the promo tonight. He referred to the crowd as “fickle” and Daniel Bryan introduced a new belt as the “Planet’s Champion” in WWE.
"You are now in the era of @The_MJF and my reign of terror has just begun."
MJF’s first title defense is set for Dynamite: Winter is Coming on December 14th. Ricky Starks will challenge for the title. Starks cut a backstage promo tonight and said he’s coming for everything MJF has and vowed to win the Battle Royal for the Dynamite Diamond Ring next week on Dynamite. Starks defeated Ari Daivari tonight in a singles match.
MJF came out to address the crowd and was introduced by William Regal. In the ring was a platform with something covered by a black cloth, which was very obviously a new title.
While talking about what he was better than, the champion said he was better than current title. After becoming champion, he promised himself there would be changes. He said looking at the title around his waist makes him “want to gag in his mouth.” The current title “is tacky and lacks class, and even worse, it reminds me of all of the men who have held it previously.”
Regal revealed the newly redesigned AEW World Championship that has a Burberry pattern on the straps. The champion said the belt is called the “Triple-B, the Big Burberry Belt.”
MJF warned everyone that his “reign of terror has begun”. He began to return Regal’s brass knucks to him as he thanked him for his help. He walked up behind Regal and hit him with his own brass knucks.
The champion left Regal laid out in the ring while Danielson came down to check on his mentor. No one else from Blackpool Combat Club came to check on Regal. Regal was stretchered to an ambulance.
"You are now in the era of @The_MJF and my reign of terror has just begun."
MJF, aka Maxwell Jacob Friedman, became the biggest star in All Elite Wresting simply by walking away.
He returned from his hiatus following his pipebomb rant at the now infamous All Out PPV. MJF confronted former AEW World Champion CM Punk to set up the third match in the rivalry but it never came to fruition.
MJF went on to battle Jon Moxley in the main event at AEW Full Gear after William Regal made a shocking decision. The former Blackpool Combat Club leader slid MJF the brass knuckles and Maxwell clobbered Moxley over the head with them to become the new AEW World Champion.
5 Opponents for AEW World Champion MJF
MJF Mocks Young AEW Fan
A young wrestling fan sent a video to the AEW World Champion and said that he was going to be at Dynamite this Wednesday night. The kid poked fun at MJF needing outside interference to win matches.
I hope you don’t ever win any more matches and that somebody else has a shot at the AEW Championship without actually cheating.
Nolie’s going to @AEW Dynamite on Wednesday in Indianapolis, and he wanted to warn @The_MJF about all the mean stuff he’s gonna yell from the crowd. pic.twitter.com/qVtmHp486F
MJF will make his first appearance since winning the AEW World Champion this Wednesday on Dynamite. It will be interesting to see if the young fan gets to mock MJF back to his face.
This is not an isolated incident. The Salt of the Earth doesn’t take crap from anyone, including children.
Ric Flair is excited to see how he is portrayed in ‘Iron Claw,’ the much-anticipated biopic about the lives of the Von Erich wrestling family.
The patriarch of the family, Fritz Von Erich, would not only be a wrestler but have six children, five of whom would enter the wrestling business themselves.
To this day, the Von Erich family is still involved with wrestling, with Marshall and Ross Von Erich competing for MLW.
Flair
During the 1980s, Ric Flair would prove to be one of the most fierce rivals of Kerry Von Erich, and the two battled several times over the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
The two would often wrestle to a 60-Minute time-limit draw, and it has been confirmed that Flair will be portrayed in the movie by actor Aaron Dean Eisenberg.
On the latest To Be The Man podcast, Flair was asked what he makes to Eisenberg, best known for his role in TV’s ‘Public Morals.’
“I don’t know much about him, but I know they called me to talk to him on the phone and I was traveling and never got to talk to him, so I haven’t met and I haven’t talked to him.
“But I’ll tell you this, if they do an accurate depiction of what the Von Erich family went through, this is going to be one of the greatest stories ever told in wrestling history because there was so much damn history with that family.”
Iron Claw
Iron Claw is the latest major project from A24, the independent film-making studio behind The Lighthouse, The Green Knight, and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The film will also feature Zac Efron (The Greatest Showman, Extremely Wicked) as Kevin Von Erich, one of Fritz’ children.
AEW World Champion MJF has been cast as Lance Von Erich, who was not a real Von Erich but a wrestler who portrayed a cousin of the family.
The casting of MJF is an interesting choice, given that Lance was not known for being a good wrestler, had little charisma, and struggled on the mic.
AEW Dynamite airs in just a few minutes but MJF has already made some news before the show.
Maxwell captured the AEW World Championship in the main event of AEW Full Gear 2022. The PPV aired live from the Prudential Center in New Jersey this past Saturday night.
Jon Moxley appeared to have the match in control but everything changed when William Regal showed up ringside.
MJF pulled out the Dynamite Diamond Ring he had previously vowed not to use as a weapon in the match but Regal scolded for it. The 26-year-old threw the ring to the outside but then the Gentleman Villain made a shocking decision.
Regal betrayed Jon Moxley and turned his back on the Blackpool Combat Club. He slid the brass knuckles into the ring and MJF used them to bash Moxley over the head to become the new AEW World Champion.
MJF has traded some trash talk with Paddy Pimblett and now has responded to UFC legend Conor McGregor. The AEW World Champion referred to Pimblett as a “dollar store Conor McGregor”.
Conor took to Twitter and said that Paddy is still worth millions and he doesn’t know who MJF is.
A dollar store Conor is still worth millions! Let’s go young Paddy Pimb! Don’t know who this other clown is.
MJF responded and vowed to f*ck Paddy up and do the same to McGregor. Maxwell referred to Conor as a “roided leprechaun” in the Tweet.
I’ll f*ck the Conor clone up. Then I’ll wipe my ass with the original. Stay in your lane you roided up leprechaun. You can’t hang with the@AEW World Champion. #Betterthanyou
MJF has became one of the hottest acts in All Elite Wrestling this year after going public about his unhappiness regarding his contract status with the promotion earlier this year.
MJF has been a top heel for the promotion since signing with AEW in 2019 and wrestled some of AEW’s biggest stars, such as Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and Cody Rhodes.
MJF has expanded his friends circle to the MMA world. He recently traded words with UFC fighter Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.
The Exchange
The exchange led to Pimblett challenging him when AEW goes to England next year for a Dynamite event. MJF claimed that Paddy’s, “dollar store Conor McGregor talking, Will from Stranger Things looking’ ass would not last two seconds in the squared circle.
MJF wrote, “Unlike you I’m 100% natural and I’m also 100% original. Unlike you. You’re dollar store Connor McGregor talking, Will from strangers things looking ass wouldn’t last two seconds in my world. #Betterthanyou See you in London.”
MJF is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career as he defeated Jon Moxley to win his first-ever AEW World Championship in the main event of the Full Gear pay-per-view event.
The fallout from MJF’s title win, William Regal turning on Moxley to aid MJF to secure the championship victory, and more will take place this Wednesday night on Dynamite.
MJF defeated Jon Moxley for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship as he became the top champ in the main event of Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view event.
The finish saw there be two referee bumps. William Regal talked MJF out of using the diamond ring. Moxley had MJF tapping out to a sleeper but the first referee didn’t see it so MJF managed to get out and was handed brass knuckles by Regal to secure the win.
“There was another finish brought up by several of the most influential wrestlers. We don’t know what it was although I presume MJF winning was not the question, and it was just a different way to get there. It was an alternative way of getting there. Khan was strong on his finish that the direction this goes.”
AEW Full Gear will be an event that the company won’t soon forget as it was a positive show they needed after some much drama coming out of the All Out event just a few months ago with CM Punk’s rant at the media scrum and backstage brawl with The Elite.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman battled Jon Moxley in the main event of AEW Full Gear 2022 for the AEW World Championship.
MJF knocked down the referee and pulled the Dynamite Diamond Ring from his trunks. William Regal marched down the entrance ramp and scolded Maxwell. MJF threw the ring to the floor before Regal betrayed Moxley.
Regal slid MJF the brass knuckles and he punched Jon in the head with them to become the new AEW World Champion.
The times they are a-changin’. Wait your turn baby, people pay to see me not you. Lets talk, shall we?
AEW is now destination television once again. The ship has been steered properly, once again!
This belt is now the most important belt in this entire sport. It states the three letters, damn sure ain’t AEW, I know for a mother f*cking fact it ain’t Mox. Its MJF!
Damn you people are dumb. You morons bit on every word I had to say this past couple of months, huh?
I want to earn it. F*ck that. I deserve it because I’m the best wrestler in the f*cking world! And every single one of you know it.
On the microphone, in the ring, nobody can touch me. That is a fact. Nobody is on my level.
To think you guys still believe me when I put over this mother f*cker (points to Tony Khan) this past Wednesday. Grow the f*ck up. No offense.
Maxwell then told everyone that if they want to know why he aligned with William Regal, they have to tune into the “MJF Show” on TBS every Wednesday night.
“And you now damn well that it is now destination TV.”
He boasted about going to a movie set tomorrow and didn’t accept any questions from the media before walking away.
Posted November 20th, 2022 in AEW, News. Tagged: MJF.
MJF was the man to dethrone Jon Moxley as the AEW World Heavyweight Champion as he became the top champ in the main event of this year’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view event.
The match had a slow build for it. MJF with a tombstone to Moxley on the ring apron and MJF sold his left knee. Moxley hit a piledriver off the apron through the table. MJF knocked Moxley off the top rope and hit the paradigm shift off the top rope for a near fall.
There were two referee bumps. William Regal talked MJF out of using the diamond ring. Moxley had MJF tapping out to a sleeper but the first referee didn’t see it. MJF got brass knuckles from Regal and hit Moxley to win the match.
At the conclusion of the October 18th edition Dynamite following Moxley’s win over Hangman Page to retain the title, MJF teased cashing in his Casino ladder match chip that gives him a shot at the title at any time but chose not to. He won the clip at All Out thanks to hiring The Firm. MJF cut a promo about how he wanted Moxley at 110% with no excuses and didn’t want any doubt that he was better than him when he beat him for the title.
MJF and Moxley have competed against each other once before in AEW as they met at 2020’s All Out where the stakes were the same with Moxley successfully defending the World Title. Moxley gave MJF his first singles loss in the company.
Posted November 19th, 2022 in AEW, News. Tagged: MJF.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman is having the biggest year of his professional career. The 26-year-old wrestling prodigy looks to make history Saturday night and win the ‘big one’ just miles from his hometown of Plainview, NY.
MJF will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship in the main event of AEW Full Gear. Win, lose or draw, the match itself is a testament to everything he’s achieved so far. He may not be the biggest or strongest man in AEW. He may not be a technical wizard like Bryan Danielson or Claudio Castagnoli. However, fans can’t get enough of MJF.
He’s great one the mic, one of the best in the business today. However, MJF says it’s his authenticity that resonates most with the audience.
During an interview with Vulture, journalist Anne Victoria Clark asked MJF if he’s ever considered portraying another ‘character’ in AEW. Friedman corrected her immediately and told her he’s not playing a character. He said ‘gimmicks’ are not confined to pro wrestling. In every walk of life – politics, professional sports, Hollywood – people are ‘turning their personalities up to 11’ to get attention.
Like I said, I think the reason that I have such an animalistic magnetism to wrestling fans is because it’s very obviously me.
– MJF
Fans Love MJF’s Authenticity
MJF says fans love him because he speaks his mind when others are scared to do so. He’s not afraid to cross any lines or offend anybody. Society is more sensitive than ever, which allows him slice through the noise and stand out.
Social media is a huge part of today’s culture. Wrestlers face an onslaught of negativity from people they don’t even know, but MJF doesn’t let any of that get to him. If he doesn’t know you or wouldn’t come to you for advice in real life, he’s not going to be offended if you don’t like him.
“I think that’s a big issue with my generation,” he said. “If I read every single positive thing people had to say about me, I would be the most egotistical person in the world, because people are nonstop talking about how I’m the greatest professional wrestler of all time, so you just have to walk away from your phone every now and then.”
MJF is considered a heel for the most part, but there’s no question that he’s won people over and gets cheered a lot at AEW shows. He
“Again, I just think people love authenticity, and I think the name of the game is authenticity. In a fake world, people want to see real people, and there’s nobody realer than me.”
– MJF
Posted November 18th, 2022 in AEW, News. Tagged: MJF.
Matt Hardy put over MJF as the future face of AEW.
While predicting who would win the AEW World Championship at Full Gear on the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy agreed with host Jon Alba that MJF will become AEW World Champion on Saturday night. “I feel like it’s MJF’s time. It’s very interesting because of where the pay-per-view is located. Not too far from his home base. He’s been doing some great work. He’s extremely talented young man and he’s a guy that’s going to be the future of AEW for a long time, I think so. Even as much as he jokes around, ‘my contract is coming up. They want me up North, brother. They want me at the ‘E’.’ I think he’s going to be the face of AEW for a long time.”
Matches Matt Hardy is looking forward to at Full Gear
Alba and Hardy discussed AEW focusing on a women’s storyline that doesn’t involve a championship. “It is nice to see them just highlight them because of their stardom and that’s why they’re going to have the match. Their promos the last couple of weeks have been really strong. They’ve really talked a lot of people into buying a ticket and wanting to see this match.
After singing, “Be The Elite, be, be, be the Elite”, Hardy said he wants to be in The Elite. “Maybe I’m the one that recovered them after they were DELETED!” Hardy joked that the headline will be that he wants to join The Elite. “Anything to not kill the cockroach (his career),” he joked.
He’s “pumped” for The Elite vs. Death Triangle. “Whoever wins that match –I’m going to say this, right here, right now though — Death Triangle and The Elite, myself and Private Party, Hardy Party, we are focusing on these six man tags right now; these Trios matches. We want to come looking for those titles. I’m going to go ahead and say that right now. Whoever wins that match, we want to come looking for those titles.” A few weeks ago, Hardy said that the Hardy Party could be looking for Trios titles after they reunited.
Hardy believes The Elite vs. Death Triangle will steal the show.
Jon Moxley and MJF met face-to-face at the conclusion of this week’s edition of Dynamite.
5 Best Moments of CM Punk’s AEW Career
It was the final episode of Dynamite before AEW Full Gear this Saturday at the Prudential Center. AEW Rampage will be live this Friday night from the New Jersey as well.
Moxley came to the ring first, accompanied by William Regal of the Blackpool Combat Club. The AEW World Champion said that he sees a lot of fear in MJF heading into the match this Saturday.
Jon claimed that MJF was afraid he might not live up to the hype and vowed to retain at the PPV. Stokely Hathaway interrupted and made his way down the entrance ramp.
The Firm (Ethan Page, W. Morrissey, Gunn Glub, Lee Moriarty) attacked the Jon from behind before MJF made the save. Maxwell rushed the ring and beat down The Firm one-by-one.
MJF grabbed the microphone and began his promo with “Jon, while you are laying there hopefully in a ton of pain”. CM Punk’s infamous pipebomb promo from 2011 started off with a similar line directed at John Cena. CM Punk said “John Cena, while you lay there hopefully as uncomfortable as you possibly can be”.
Jon Moxley will defend the AEW World Championship against MJF this Saturday at AEW Full Gear.
5 Reasons Why MJF Should Win The AEW World Championship
There were also two more title matches announced during tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Wardlow will put his TNT Championship on the line against Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs in a Triple Threat match.
It was also announced tonight that The Elite will make their return to AEW and battle Death Triangle for the Trios Championships. The Elite became the inaugural Trios Champions at All Out by defeating Death Triangle. CM Punk and The Elite were then stripped of AEW World Championship and the Trios Championships following their brawl at the All Out media scrum.
MJF made his return at the conclusion of AEW All Out and confronted CM Punk. Maxwell holds a victory over CM Punk in AEW. Punk got his revenge and defeated MJF in a Dog Collar match at AEW Revolution.
MJF is scheduled to face Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship this Saturday at Full Gear in the main event. Blackpool Combat Club’s William Regal has gotten into MJF’s head ahead of the match. MJF has vowed not to use the Dynamite Diamond Ring in the match and earn the title on his own.
AEW Full Gear 2022 Preview
Full Gear will take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, or “the shadow of New York” as WWE referred to NJ ahead of WrestleMania 35.
Ahead of tonight’s edition of AEW Dynamite, MJF sent out a message on Twitter. The 26-year-old stated that there has been a shadow cast over AEW by a bunch of “bullsh*t”. Friedman added that All Elite Wrestling needs the devil and he’s ready.
There’s been a shadow casted over AEW by a bunch of f*cking bullsh*t. We are closer then ever to stepping out of the darkness and into the light. We have the roster. We have the platform. Now all we need is stability, change, and leadership. We need the Devil. I’m ready.
There’s been a shadow casted over AEW by a bunch of fucking bullshit.
We are closer then ever to stepping out of the darkness and into the light. We have the roster. We have the platform. Now all we need is stability, change, and leadership.
MJF hasn’t appeared live on Dynamite since the attack by The Firm a few weeks ago. Stokely Hathaway’s faction helped MJF win the Casino Ladder match at AEW All Out on September 4th but the group has since turned against him.
5 Reasons MJF Needs to Win the AEW World Championship
He appeared on last week’s Dynamite while a guest on Barstool Sports’ popular Pardon My Take podcast. MJF delivered a warning to Jon Moxley ahead of the PPV this Saturday night. The 26-year-old noted that he is the guy that wave the flag for AEW and professional wrestling moving forward.
I’m the guy that can come on the #1 sports podcast in the world, Pardon My Take. I’m the guy who can do movies, TV shows, commercials, talk shows, and I can wave the flag of the AEW brand.
And hell, I can wave the flag of professional wrestling and bring pro wrestling back to where it belongs as something that everyone is talking about.
When you look back at some of MJF’s best matches in AEW, you realize that the guy can absolutely go in the squared circle. His arrogance, dishonor and despicable nature as a heel overshadow that he has had some of the most underrated and best matches in the short history of AEW.
MJF has become one of, if not the most compelling characters in AEW. You may think of him as strictly a master on the microphone. Yet MJF is also one of the best in-ring performers on a roster that is stocked full of them.
MJF has an opportunity this Saturday night at the Full Gear pay-per-view to win the AEW World Championship as he goes head-to-head with current champion Jon Moxley. In the process of that, he also can add on to his rolodex of best matches in the promotion.
5 Reasons MJF Should Win The AEW Championship
That being said, we are going to take a look back at MJF’s best matches thus far in AEW.
MJF vs. Jungle Boy (Double Or Nothing 2020)
A pandemic era, AEW in-ring beauty. MJF and Jungle Boy had one match prior to this encounter at a Dynamite event on February 12, 2020. Just three months later, two of the four proclaimed “Pillars” of AEW would square off once again in front of their peers in the audience on pay-per-view.
MJF had just broken through with an upset win over his mentor, Cody Rhodes, at AEW Revolution. The feud itself was designed to catapult Maxwell Jacob Friedman to a new level, which indeed it did. His follow up feud with Jungle Boy offered up a different dynamic.
You witnessed a glimpse of the bright future that MJF and Jungle Boy both have in front of them. A clash between a more methodical, heel style performer and an electric, vibrant babyface. The two young men put on a more modern style wrestling clinic which brought out MJF’s underrated in-ring skills. He would emerge victorious in this wonderful pro wrestling match.
Something tells me this will be a featured rivalry moving down the line for AEW in the distant future.
MJF vs. Sammy Guevara (Dynamite, June 30, 2021)
We move from one match between two of AEW’s four pillars to another exciting contest. The feud between MJF and Sammy Guevara had started long before this bout came to be. When MJF had Chris Jericho at AEW Full Gear 2020, the stipulation was he would become a member of The Inner Circle.
Sammy Guevara was skeptical of MJF and his motives as a new member of the group, and rightfully so. When The Inner Circle were about to kick MJF out of the group, he flipped the switch and formed The Pinnacle in one of the best segments in AEW Dynamite history.
This match was almost four months after MJF formed his new group, and you got to see a fantastic story told in the ring. Much like Jungle Boy before him, Guevara’s athleticism was a perfect contrast in style to MJF’s technical and grappling approach.
A magnificent display of one upmanship between the two rivals as MJF would prevail without outside interference from The Pinnacle.
MJF vs. Darby Allin (Full Gear 2021)
It’s a testament to AEW that the first three matches on this list involve all four pillars of the young company. In this bout, MJF would go head-to-head with the most unorthodox pillar of the bunch in Darby Allin.
Darby and his reckless style mix incredibly well with the aforementioned skills of MJF, as this match opened up the 2021 rendition of Full Gear. The two men put on a performance that was very difficult to top on this night in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The mind games that the two men played throughout their feud played a significant role in how well the story in the ring on this night was told. The car crash style that Darby Allin brought to the table turned into an incredible wrestling match, which suits MJF’s liking.
Max called his shot saying he would win this bout with a headlock takeover (aided by his Dynamite diamond ring, which he used to knock Darby out beforehand). None the less, this match arguably stole the show on a night where Hangman Page finally won the AEW World title.
MJF vs. CM Punk (Dynamite, February 2, 2022)
MJF and CM Punk are two of the most polarizing figures in the pro wrestling world over the last 20 years.
The psychological warfare and mic battles that took place between the two men were the most incredible storytelling and entertaining television in AEW’s short company history.
The story arc started with MJF attempting to throw-around his microphone superiority and all-around prowess in AEW. He once idolized CM Punk as a teenager. Now, he said that he saw Punk as a threat to his territory at the top of the card.
Punk meanwhile has been a professor of psychology throughout his career and combatted MJF’s nooks and crannies better than any opponent before him.
This match took place in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois, giving him a distinct advantage over the younger prodigy. MJF on this night wasn’t rattled. He pinned Punk not once, but twice, after referee Bryce Remsburg found a piece of tape which MJF used to help put Punk to sleep the first time.
The storytelling was masterful once again as MJF cheated both times to defeat Punk. It warranted a rematch where CM Punk would have the opportunity to get a measure of revenge against his hated rival.
MJF vs. CM Punk (Revolution 2022)
The follow up to MJF vs CM Punk’s TV thriller was another month of fantastic promos and psychological warfare which led to Punk demanding a stipulation in their next encounter on pay-per-view.
MJF threw one more log into the metaphorical fire to create a barricade to avoid giving Punk a rematch. He gave Punk the option to choose any partner of his choosing outside of Darby Allin and Sting to defeat FTR, the other two members of the Pinnacle.
Punk chose Jon Moxley and they defeated FTR in a phenomenal tag team match on Dynamite. Punk tapped into wrestling history to choose the stakes for this bout at AEW Revolution. Channeling “Roddy Piper in Portland,” he made the match a dog collar affair, one that Piper (another of MJF’s heroes) had taken part in against Greg Valentine at Starrcade 1983.
Wrestling fans were treated to a brutal affair. The stage was set minutes before as MJF came out to Punk’s “Cult Of Personality” theme music. Punk would follow up with his Ring Of Honor theme, “Miseria Cantare.” A homage to his previous dog collar match in ROH with Raven.
MJF and CM Punk would go on to have one of the most memorable PPV matches in AEW history. The blood shed, emotions and hatred were at a fever pitch on this night.
Wardlow would play a part in this bout as well. He finally turned on MJF as he left his Dynamite diamond ring for Punk to use as he knocked out MJF with it. Add a GTS to the blow and Punk gained a measure of revenge on his fallen opponent.
Jesse Velasquez is the host of the Wrestling Unplugged and Undeniable podcast, available on Apple and Spotify.
Posted November 16th, 2022 in Features. Tagged: MJF.
Although MJF is arguably one of the best heels in the business, he has been getting more and more cheers as of late from fans following his return to AEW at All Out in September.
His latest post on Twitter will also give him more sympathy with fans as he noted that an outfit he wore during a previous edition of AEW Dynamite was, in fact, modeled on his late grandfather.
The AEW star shared a picture of himself side by side with his late ‘Poppa’ wearing the outfit and then a photo of himself in similar clothes during the February 9 edition of AEW Dynamite. This show was right after MJF beat CM Punk in their first match. He wrote the following in the caption:
The Photo
(AEW)
“Two years since your passing. Ik you’ll be watching on Saturday. Thanks for teaching me how to style and strut, Love you Poppa. #Penniesfromheaven.”
MJF’s character has significantly developed as he toes the line between heel and face. At this Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view event, MJF will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Heavyweight Title.
After his post-Double or Nothing absence, MJF returned to AEW by winning the poker chip in the Casino Ladder Match, thanks to Stokely Hathaway, which earned him this championship match. Since then, he cut ties with The Firm and Hathaway after they disobeyed his orders not to attack Moxley.
AEW star MJF is making his film debut in a pro-wrestling-related project, as he will be part of an upcoming biopic on The Von Erich family.
It was reported via Deadline today that MJF is joining the cast of “The Iron Claw.” The role that MJF will be playing hasn’t been revealed.
Sean Durkin is writing and directing the movie. The synopsis for the film notes that the movie “follows the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.”
The Movie
(AEW)
Zac Efron (Kevin Von Erich), Harris Dickinson (David Von Erich), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry Von Erich), Holt McCallany (Fritz Von Erich), Maura Tierney (Doris Von Erich), and Lily James are also part of the cast.
A24 released a first-look picture of Efron in the ring as Kevin Von Erich on Monday. Marshall Von Erich, who wrestles for MLW and is one of Kevin Von Erich’s sons, previously commented on Efron playing his father by noting:
