Tag: MJF

MJF Makes AEW Return, Alters Worlds End Title Picture

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is officially back, and his return has instantly changed the landscape of the AEW World Championship scene.

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF re-emerged to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, inserting himself into the already high-stakes World Title match scheduled for Worlds End. The bout was originally set to feature reigning champion Samoa Joe defending against both Swerve Strickland and “Hangman” Adam Page, but MJF has now made it a four-way showdown.

Samoa Joe captured the AEW World Championship at Full Gear in November by defeating Page, aided by Hook’s involvement and Joe’s renewed alliance with The Opps. Strickland later returned to the picture, joining forces with Page as the two former rivals united against Joe and his allies. Their partnership was on full display at Dynamite: Winter Is Coming, where Page and Strickland fended off Joe’s Trios Championship partners, Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs, before officially declaring their shared pursuit of the world title.

On Dynamite, Joe, Page, and Strickland met in the ring to sign the contract for their upcoming clash. While tensions were high, Page and Strickland stood shoulder to shoulder, warning Joe that he had underestimated them. Moments later, the arena went dark — and MJF’s music hit.

The former champion made his first AEW appearance in three months, having last been seen losing to Mark Briscoe in a brutal Tables n’ Tacks match at All Out in Toronto. MJF wasted no time reminding everyone why he was there, signing the Casino Gauntlet contract he earned by winning the match at All In back in July, officially adding his name to the Worlds End title bout.

MJF then addressed each of his future opponents, taking shots at Strickland with a controversial comparison and referencing his WWE past, while also making it clear that his goal was to humiliate Page and the two men he considers his biggest rivals.

There’s plenty of history between all four competitors. Page defeated MJF to retain the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door in August, while Joe ended MJF’s first title reign at Worlds End 2023. Joe would later lose the championship to Strickland at Dynasty 2024, setting the stage for a deeply intertwined and volatile main event heading into this year’s Worlds End.

Backstage Update On MJF’s AEW Status

MJF has been off AEW TV since a rough September that saw him drop the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title to Mistico and fall to Mark Briscoe in the Tables N’ Tacts match at All Out. His absence has largely been tied to filming Violent Night 2, but production on the movie is now complete — which had many expecting “The Devil” to reappear sometime in December.

So far, though, the former AEW World Champion hasn’t surfaced on Dynamite or Collision during the first week of the month. Despite that, Wrestlevotes Live on Fightful Select reports that AEW has had MJF penciled into plans for Worlds End since Thanksgiving week. Details on what those plans involve are still under wraps.

However, last week’s Dynamite may have offered a huge hint. AEW officially announced the return of the Dynamite Diamond Ring, kicking off with a Battle Royal during next week’s Holiday Bash. The final two competitors will then square off on the Christmas Eve edition of Dynamite — titled Dynamite on 34th Street. Considering MJF has won the ring every single year since its debut in 2019, he immediately becomes the obvious favorite the moment he walks back through the curtain.

And this time, the stakes are even higher. The winner of the Diamond Ring will earn an AEW World Championship match on January 14 at Dynamite: Maximum Carnage in Phoenix. With MJF spending 2025 chasing the world title — including a failed attempt against “Hangman” Adam Page at Forbidden Door — plus still holding the All In Casino Gauntlet contract, he’s got more avenues to a title shot than anyone on the roster.

If AEW is looking for a big return to shake up Worlds End season, MJF reclaiming the ring he’s owned since day one might be the perfect spark.

Tony Khan Announces Major Rules Change For MJF’s Guaranteed AEW World Title Contract

AEW’s Forbidden Door 2025 wasn’t just about dream matches—it also came with a major announcement from AEW President Tony Khan that could reshape how future title opportunities are handled.

During the event, MJF once again tried to reclaim the AEW World Championship, challenging reigning champion “Hangman” Adam Page. As expected, Friedman leaned heavily on his usual bag of tricks in an attempt to steal the victory, but the plan unraveled when Mark Briscoe got involved, ensuring Hangman kept the gold.

While MJF walked away without the championship, he’s not out of the picture. Thanks to his win in the Casino Gauntlet, he still holds a contract guaranteeing him another AEW World Title shot. But coming out of Forbidden Door, Khan made it clear that this kind of contract will look very different going forward.

Speaking at the post-show media scrum, Khan explained that AEW will no longer allow surprise, spur-of-the-moment cash-ins similar to WWE’s Money in the Bank concept. Instead, all contract holders will now be required to give at least one week’s notice before their title opportunity.

“I don’t think stripping him of the contract is in the spirit of the sport,” Khan said. “But I’ve been listening to the fans, and I think people want championships in AEW to have integrity. Going forward, I want these matches to be advertised, and for title changes to feel meaningful—not shock decisions.”

The change means MJF will still get his one last crack at the AEW World Championship, but he’ll have to declare it in advance. That leaves fans speculating not just about when he’ll cash in, but whether Adam Page will still be champion when Friedman finally decides to pull the trigger.

One thing is for sure: the next time MJF steps up for the gold, the spotlight will be squarely on him—and in AEW, that’s exactly how Tony Khan wants it.

MLW Hosts International Summit, Welcomes Surprise Appearance from MJF

Major League Wrestling isn’t slowing down this summer. Hot off the heels of their “Summer of the Beasts” event on June 26 at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City, the company pulled off a surprise that has the wrestling world buzzing—and possibly laid the groundwork for major future collaborations.

In a development that flew under the radar until now, MLW held a closed-door international summit following the show, bringing together top executives from New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). While exact details of the summit remain scarce, the meeting signals MLW’s growing ambition to establish deeper global partnerships and expand its influence beyond the U.S. indie scene.

The in-ring action that night was equally headline-worthy, thanks to the shocking return of MJF. The former AEW World Champion made an unannounced appearance, storming the ring to attack lucha legend Mistico. The ambush immediately reignited their long-dormant rivalry that began during AEW’s Grand Slam: Mexico special.

MJF’s surprise involvement wasn’t just a one-off, either. According to a report from PWInsider, the belief within MLW is that this won’t be his only appearance for the promotion—suggesting a potential storyline arc that could carry through the summer and beyond.

Between forging new international ties and welcoming one of wrestling’s most talked-about stars back into the fold, MLW is clearly positioning itself for a major leap forward. Fans should keep a close eye on what’s next. The “Summer of the Beasts” might just be the beginning.

Report: Fan Reportedly Goes After MJF at Hotel Following AEW Grand Slam Mexico

The buzz from AEW Grand Slam Mexico didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling — and not all of it was positive. According to a report from Fightful Select, a fan allegedly attempted to confront MJF at the hotel where he was staying after the controversial conclusion to his match against Mistico.

Sources claim the incident occurred shortly after Wednesday’s AEW event, with one individual reportedly “going after MJF” in what appears to have been an emotionally charged reaction to the show. Thankfully, the situation didn’t escalate further. MJF was unharmed and, true to form, reportedly laughed off the encounter. According to those close to the situation, he remained in good spirits and even expressed pride in the electric crowd reaction he generated throughout the night.

MJF certainly gave fans plenty to talk about in Mexico. During his match with Mistico, the former AEW World Champion brought the heat by hitting a low blow, getting himself disqualified. He then ripped Mistico’s mask off — a major sign of disrespect in lucha libre culture — before mocking the crowd by donning the mask himself and flipping them off.

The post-match chaos didn’t end there. Members of The Hurt Syndicate — Speedball Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, Templario, and Titan — rushed to the ring to check on Mistico and run MJF off, reinforcing their new alliance and continuing AEW’s cross-promotional heat in the region.

This incident serves as a reminder that while wrestling thrives on passionate fans, there’s always a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the AEW star walked away unscathed — and apparently, even more fired up than before.

Backstage Update On AEW Star MJF Taking Time Off To Make Happy Gilmore 2

Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s acting career was taken to new heights recently as he stepped away from All Elite Wrestling to be a part of the cast of “Happy Gilmore 2,” which is set to be released next year. However, that time away from wrestling seems to be ending soon, as Fightful Select is reporting that MJF has wrapped his scenes and is expected to return to AEW in the near future, though the exact date has yet to be determined. MJF was initially written off of TV at All Out after his victory over Daniel Garcia, who dropped MJF on his neck with a piledriver from the middle rope. Garcia supposedly lost the match as a result of his hesitancy to sign a new deal with AEW, but he has since made his return.

In addition to his role in “Happy Gilmore 2,” Fightful was also told MJF’s next movie has been confirmed, as he has secured a role in the upcoming film “Stranglehold.” The movie will be directed by Clark Duke who is best known for staring in the final season of “The Office,” while the likes of Justin Long, Ron Pearlman, and Jake Lacy, who also joined the cast of “The Office” at the same time as Duke. Friedman is the latest in a long line of wrestlers to make the jump to Hollywood, as he has landed some noteworthy roles in the past few years. He made his acting debut in 2023’s “The Iron Claw” playing Lance Von Erich in the film that documented the Von Erich family story before voicing Killer Croc in the direct-to-video animated film “Justice League X RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen, Part Two.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Report – AEW Suspended Britt Baker After Incident With MJF & Alicia Atout

AEW’s homegrown stars Britt Baker and MJF were recently embroiled in a backstage incident that led to the company’s disciplinary action against Baker.

Since his return at AEW Double Or Nothing 2024, MJF has been prominently featured in AEW storylines, turning heel and claiming the American Title.

On the other hand, Baker made her return at AEW X NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024 and has been feuding with Mercedes Mone, leading up to their scheduled match at All In 2024 later this month.

Moreover, MJF’s girlfriend, Alicia Atout, recently joined AEW as an on-air talent.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Baker was suspended for one or two weeks and fined by the company’s disciplinary committee.

The incident originated backstage on the July 17th episode of AEW Dynamite, when Baker allegedly made a comment about MJF, which Atout overheard.

This led to an investigation, with HR speaking to individuals the following week, and the disciplinary committee recommended that Baker face consequences.

AEW President Tony Khan’s involvement in the investigation remains unclear, as efforts were made to keep the situation discreet.

It was also noted that most parties were sympathetic to Baker in this matter.

AEW’s handling of the incident was reportedly a response to unresolved past issues, prompting the promotion to establish a dedicated committee to address such matters swiftly.

Source: eWn

Backstage Details On MJF’s Triumphant Return At AEW Double Or Nothing 2024

MJF made a surprise return to AEW at Double or Nothing in Vegas, confronting his arch-nemesis Adam Cole for the first time since Cole betrayed him at Worlds End in December. Fightful Select reports that the return had been planned for some time, with Sunday’s event in Vegas being the target date, and preparations for the return were also made well ahead of time. 

Regarding the injuries which had forced him onto the sidelines in the first place, MJF has reportedly been telling some within the industry that he was wearing a shoulder brace to throw people off of the idea he was returning, but it’s unclear whether or not he underwent surgery. In terms of his feud with Cole, fans shouldn’t expect the pay-off just yet, as it’s noted that as of spring it didn’t appear that Cole vs. MJF would be possible immediately upon the latter’s return. The former AEW World Champion is also said to be penciled in for a top feud, with “significant creative plans” made. 

During his promo after clearing Adam Cole out of the ring, MJF made it clear that he was remaining with AEW, as has been the belief for some time. Fightful reports that he will be doing so on a multi-million dollar per year contract. Prior to his absence, MJF held the AEW World Championship for a record 406 days, coming to an end at the hands of Samoa Joe while he was carrying multiple injuries. Due to the highly-touted “Bidding War of 2024” storyline, some had speculated that he could have entered free agency following the title loss. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Potential AEW Return Of Former World Champion MJF

Former AEW World Champion MJF could reportedly return to AEW television soon.

MJF has been absent since his loss to Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship at AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view, but “The Salt of The Earth” could soon return, as per “Fightful Select.” Sources in AEW have told “Fightful” that there have been discussions behind the scenes regarding MJF’s return and that he could be back by the Forbidden Door pay-per-view, which takes place in New York on June 30. 

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The report, though, added that there’s no set date for his return as of now. There’s no news regarding MJF’s injury, which has seemingly kept him out of action in 2024, but the report stated that the AEW star was dealing with a few injuries heading into his match with Samoa Joe. Despite the injuries that he had, MJF was keen to wrestle and finish his story with Joe. As per the report, MJF has signed a new deal, and that he’s now one of the highest earners in the promotion. 

MJF’s return could be a huge fillip to AEW following injuries to several of their top stars, which include the likes of Kenny Omega, Eddie Kingston, and the imminent absence of Bryan Danielson, who is set to have surgery soon. AEW’s ratings have also declined over the last few weeks, which will be a cause for concern for Tony Khan, especially considering their upcoming negotiations for a new deal with WBD.

While many believe that MJF’s return could boost AEW ratings and viewership, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff disagrees, arguing that the AEW star’s talent may not be enough to improve ratings. According to Bischoff, bad creative, rather than a talent’s ability, is the reason for AEW’s decline.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan Comments On MJF’s AEW Future Following His Removal From The AEW Roster Page

MJF hasn’t been seen on AEW television since last weekend’s Worlds End pay-per-view. At the time, it was reported that his contract was set to expire on January 1, leading to speculation that he could leave the promotion. MJF’s profile has since been removed from the AEW roster page, and Tony Khan is choosing to remain tight-lipped about the star’s current status.

“I can say that MJF certainly has been a great part of AEW for the first five years, Khan told Going Ringside. “And through those five years, certainly, he’s been one of our great homegrown stars, and he’s somebody we really value, and I would love to have MJF in AEW in the future, should the contractual situation allow.”

While Khan’s comments suggest that MJF has yet to sign a new deal with AEW, he might have already. It was recently reported that he extended his AEW stay before January 1, and the ambiguities surrounding his future are being played up for storyline purposes. The latest episode of “AEW Dynamite” saw Adam Cole and the Undisputed Kingdom discuss their desire to rid AEW of MJF once and for all, so there is a built-in storyline for him to return to, should his future be with Tony Khan’s promotion.

Regardless of his future destination in wrestling, it remains to be seen when the former AEW World Champion will return to action. MJF is currently injured after suffering a torn labrum, which could require surgery and put him on the shelf for six months. That said, it’s unknown if MJF will go that route or seek alternative treatment options that will allow him to return to screens before then.

Source: Wrestling Inc.