Tony Khan And MJF Reportedly Clash Following Audacious Interview

Tony Khan was reportedly unhappy with MJF following the latter’s interview with Ariel Helwani.

AEW’s locker room may not be as harmonious as it seems on the surface.

According to a recent Fightful Select report, AEW president Tony Khan got into a “heated argument” with MJF following the latter’s controversial conversation with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show last week. TK reportedly chastised one of his company’s most exciting young stars for failing to obtain permission from AEW’s media department before participating in the interview.

During his aforementioned appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, MJF opened up about his AEW contract status. When asked if he would consider signing an extension to his current AEW deal MJF said there was “no chance” of that happening. He then specified that it would have to be “an absolutely astronomical number” and even then he likely wouldn’t sign because he wants to test the market.

Per Fightful, AEW sources said there would not have been an issue with the content of the MJF/Helwani interview if the wrestler has gone through the proper channels prior to the interview taking place.

In the same interview, MJF complimented WWE’s revamped developmental program NXT 2.0. “There’s so many charisma machines on that program. There is. I don’t know why you’re laughing,” MJF gushed as Helwani chuckled at his suspiciously excessive praise. “They had a make out competition this past Tuesday. Gripping television.”

UPDATE:

In an update from Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, the issues that arose between Khan and MJF “are now said to be settled.”

Meltzer noted that although the story is true, “there was no fight” or physical altercation between MJF and Khan.

During the interview, MJF confirmed that his AEW contract expires on January 1, 2024, and admitted that he’s not afraid to “stir the pot” until then.

“So when you’re as talented, as over, and as much of a draw as me, if I want to I can bite off Tony Khan’s fingers. He knows where his bread is buttered,” MJF said. “And if that offends somebody in the locker room, which I know it does, oh well, cry about it. Get more over than me. Oh wait, that’s right, you can’t. Because I’m literally the best talker in the business, and one of the best wrestlers in the history of the business bell to bell.”

MJF emphasized that he’d end up “wherever the money is” after his AEW contract expires in 2024.

Sources: TheSportster and Wrestling Inc.

AEW Shares Photo Of Cody Rhodes’ Back After Lashings From MJF

Cody Rhodes received ten lashings from MJF to close Dynamite this week … and the photo shared by AEW afterward shows just how painful it was.

In case you missed it, MJF took his time doling out each crack of the belt as Cody’s friends and family took turns trying to console the AEW VP throughout the segment. This included Dustin Rhodes, Arn Anderson, The Young Bucks and his wife Brandi Rhodes.

After the show was over, AEW posted a picture on social media showing Cody’s back … and it’s brutal.

This was one of MJF’s stipulations in order for Cody to receive a match against him at Revolution. Rhodes will next have to face MJF’s henchman Wardlow in a steel cage match.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Below is some video of the lashing posted by Bleacher Report:

MJF Injured At AEW Fight For The Fallen

MJF apparently injured his elbow at last night’s AEW Fight for the Fallen during his 6-man tag match. MJF teamed up with Shawn Spears and Sammy Guevara in a winning effort against Darby Allin, Jimmy Havoc, and Joey Janela.

MJF was scheduled to be at tonight’s Inspire Pro Wrestling event, but was pulled to prevent any further injury. Below is Inspire Pro Wrestling’s statement on MJF not being able to wrestle for them.

“BREAKING NEWS: AS THE ADDAGE GOES, ‘CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE.’ At approximately 4:07 this morning, INSPIRE PRO was delivered the unfortunate news that PURE PRESTIGE CHAMPION MAXWELL JACOB FRIEDMAN sustained a severe elbow injury at last night’s FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN event. With MJF scheduled to appear at next week’s TRIPLEMANIA, the decision was made to pull him from tonight’s event to prevent any further injury. THEREFORE, MJF will NOT be defending his PURE PRESTIGE CHAMPIONSHIP tonight against RICKY STARKS. With MJF soon to become exclusive to AEW, the opportunity to reschedule the match is not possible. Therefore, MJF and INSPIRE have come to a mutual agreement to VACATE the PURE PRESTIGE TITLE.”

https://twitter.com/InspireProWres/status/1150450688377401346

https://twitter.com/InspireProWres/status/1150450826432958464

https://twitter.com/InspireProWres/status/1150450939976978433

Source: Wrestling Inc.