“Setting Up”: After Naming Tony Khan, MJF’s Next Big AEW Fight Stated Following Dynamite Return

This week’s episode in Loveland, Colorado, kicked off with the entrance of ‘The Generational Talent’ Maxwell Jacob Friedman. MJF spoke at length about the “enemies list” he began to accumulate during his absence. One of them is Swerve Strickland, whom he mocked for “not knowing how to speak to the public” and attacking people in the back. He also mocked those who called themselves “the best in the world,” such as Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada. Whom he singled out as men who only got the same victories as him.

MJF did not show any mercy to Tony Khan as well, calling him a ‘Mark’ while the Young Bucks were called out for making the promotion even worse than before. The self-described Lonewolf assured that no one could don the role of being the best while he was in AEW. However, the promo was interrupted by Rush. And probably set up MJF’s first fight since his return, but more enemies for the future as well.

MJF names out possible rivalries

There is no denying that MJF is a beast on the mic. The pro wrestling world has learned this fact by now. When ‘The Devil’ speaks, he’s better than you, and you know it. And tonight’s promo turned out to be another masterclass in trying to be a heel but also making sure you put your opponent over. Something MJF has mastered and is now receiving high praise from ECW legend Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer praised MJF’s ability to remind fans of Rush’s accomplishments while also delivering a heel promo before the two came to brawls. Also, the fact that he mentioned The Elite could set up a future feud with the villainous stable.

In the Busted Open Podcast, he said, “I also liked when MJF dropped a bunch of like, you know, hey guys to the Young Bucks and how it’s you know, made reference to calling Tony Khan a mark. Which he always did. And then said it’s only gotten worse since you guys are in control. Setting up something I think we will see down the line and into his promo being interrupted by Rush.”

He continued, “Rush, who we don’t really hear a lot from. I mean, we’ve seen backstages from Rush as one hell of a competitor. Another great thing that MJF did in his promo even though he insulted him. He then took back and he put his opponent over. If you listen to the master’s class. Promo’s 101.”

MJF proves time and again why he is often called the biggest star in All Elite Wrestling. And fans surely loved seeing the Devil back. But what if Friedman did not return to AEW? What if he was poached by the WWE? Well, that was actually a possibility that MJF very recently revealed in an interview.

MJF claims he had the option to go to WWE

Since 2022, MJF stated that his contract with All Elite Wrestling ended earlier this year and that he was going to take the time to look at all options to define his future. ‘The Devil’ came in as AEW World Champion at last year’s pay-per-view, “World’s End,” where he lost the title to Samoa Joe. Since then, he remained absent from television until he returned to Double or Nothing to announce that he had renewed with Tony Khan’s company.

Recently, MJF spoke about the option he had to sign with WWE. In a conversation with Sports Illustrated, MJF stated that he had the option to go to WWE but that the best thing for him was to stay in AEW. During the same interview, he declined to reveal the expiration date of his current contract. “Of course there was. Am I going to get into the weeds? No. At this point in time, this move (staying with AEW) made the most sense for me. I’m making a ton of f*cking money. As far as when the contract ends, that’s nobody’s business but my own.”

The announcement of his renewal with AEW was not the only reason MJF returned to the company at Double or Nothing; he also did so to continue his rivalry with Adam Cole. The team they formed, known as ‘Better Than You Bay Bay’, disbanded after Cole betrayed MJF, revealing himself to be the leader of the Undisputed Kingdom. So it would be interesting to see how their rivalry plays out. What do you think? Will MJF go against Cole anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.