Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has been away from the AEW World Championship scene for 721 days since losing the Triple B title. The wrestler, known for his villainous persona, is now poised to make a major impact at World’s End by trying to prevent "Seabiscuit" Adam Page, Swerve "Diddy" Strickland, and AEW World Champion Samoa Joe from ending the year as champions. After a brief retirement following his defeat to Mark Briscoe at All Out in September, MJF feared becoming a shadow of his former self. However, he has returned with renewed confidence, a fact that Bully Ray immediately noticed during "The Devil’s" comeback on AEW Dynamite.
Hall of Famer Bully Ray shared on "Busted Open" with Dave LaGreca that MJF’s journey in AEW has included highs and lows, with a keen understanding of locker room dynamics. Despite his strong mic skills, MJF acknowledged the need to keep alliances, but now seems to be shedding that caution. Ray believes MJF understands the selfish nature of wrestling and is fully aware of his talents, which is fueling his current bold approach.
MJF’s promo alone has heightened expectations that he could leave Chicago’s NOW Arena as a two-time AEW World Champion, determined to right the wrongs of losing the title at last year’s World’s End. His newfound lack of fear towards Joe or any challenger on December 27th could help him surpass his previous historic 407-day reign as champion.
Bully Ray emphasized the significance of MJF saying "already," interpreting it as a sign that MJF is no longer intimidated by his opponents, marking a major change in mindset.
If using quotes from this article, please credit Wrestling Inc.’s "Busted Open Radio."
Fan Take: MJF’s confident return signals a potential shifting of power in AEW, injecting fresh excitement into the title picture. For fans, this could mean intense rivalries and historic championship runs that elevate the sport’s drama and prestige.
