MJF is considered one of the most prominent villains in the current generation of professional wrestlers, and it’s not difficult to see why. Despite being the current AEW World Champion, he may not be the “Salt of the Earth” in real life.
MJF has been a key player in AEW, representing the characteristics of a company figurehead. Due to his influence and actions in the promotion, fans view him as a potential leader in the locker room. Recently, the rising star shared his honest thoughts on the ongoing controversy in AEW about the possible termination of Chris Jericho.
MJF gets candid about Chris Jericho and Tony Khan
One of the top stars of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), MJF, recently talked about the direction the company would have taken if it weren’t for Chris Jericho, a former WWE Champion. MJF praised Jericho for providing the legitimacy needed by the company during its initial launch. The current AEW World Champion spoke respectfully of Jericho.
Chris Jericho has been with All Elite Wrestling since its inception in 2019. He was crowned the first-ever AEW World Champion and has delivered some of the most breathtaking matches for the fans. Besides his on-screen presence, Jericho also plays a crucial role backstage by mentoring and guiding young talent with their promos and in-ring performances.
This matters to me. Please Read. https://t.co/g98LauEQVy
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) December 29, 2023
During an interview with The Players’ Tribune, MJF spoke about Jericho’s crucial role in AEW and how he does not receive proper recognition for his accomplishments.
“It’s really fun to shit on him, I know. (Trust me, I do it all the time.) But people have the weirdest, shortest memories when it comes to who he is and what he represents. Like: I respect Tony and the EVPs a lot. (See above.) But if AEW at the start had just been those guys, plus a ragtag group of indie wrestlers with zero TV exposure (myself included)?? Sorry, but no. We would have been dead in the water.”
“Chris gave us a legitimacy that people take so fcking for granted now that it’s insane. And he didn’t just make AEW feel legit—he also made AEW’s world title feel legit. It might seem like the same thing, but it’s different. (It’s harder.) And let’s be clear: Chris also gave legitimacy to MJF. I mean, when did he decide to deal with me for a year?? I was already doing well, of course, but his buy-in cemented me.”
“To our fans, to my bosses, to myself. It was like, Yeah, go ahead and get invested in this MJF guy. He’s for real. He’s worth a year of Chris Jerico’s time. I assure you, I’m forgetting no one when I say that Chris was the biggest star AEW had at its inception and most likely still is (besides me, duh).” said MJF.
MJF provides an update on his physical condition
MJF has been a part of AEW since the company’s inception and has enjoyed a great deal of success during his tenure. He remained undefeated for almost a year and a half, held the Dynamite Diamond Ring for over four years, and is currently the AEW World Champion on his first reign.
Despite his success in AEW, Maxwell has always mentioned his desire to work for WWE, even on AEW television. He has previously stated that he did not sign a contract extension with AEW and that his contract will expire on January 1, 2024. With less than three days left until his contract expires, MJF will be having his final match this Saturday.
At the main event of AEW World’s End on December 30, 2023, Maxwell will defend his AEW World Championship title against Samoa Joe in a singles match. The event will be held live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, which happens to be Maxwell’s home state. This could be MJF’s last match in AEW, as there is no update on whether he will re-sign with the company or leave for WWE or any other major wrestling organization.
In an interview with “Comicbook,” MJF discussed his physical condition, revealing that he is not at 100% due to issues with his left shoulder and hip. He also mentioned having trouble sleeping, among other things, ahead of his upcoming match. Based on the tease and note, MJF may lose his AEW World Championship on Saturday night.
“I can’t lift my arm all the way over my head right now, but it’s for the love of the game. It’s for the love of Long Island. If I’m being totally transparent, if this pay-per-view is taking place anywhere else, I’d probably just bow out. said MJF.
What are your expectations for the upcoming match between MJF and Samoa Joe at the AEW World End, and how do you think MJF’s injury will impact the bout? Leave your comment below.
