Since his return to WWE, AEW World Champion MJF has openly expressed his disdain for CM Punk, calling out what he sees as Punk’s hypocrisy. The two were locked in a heated feud during their time together in AEW.
MJF admired Punk as a kid, a fact that was woven into a storyline between them in late 2021. Their rivalry featured intense verbal exchanges, including Punk mocking MJF by referencing WWE’s reported interest in signing him.
MJF hasn’t let go of Punk’s remarks from their match, especially Punk’s jabs about a possible WrestleMania main event. Speaking to Chris Van Vleet, MJF shared his thoughts on Punk’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship run.
“I hope he enjoys what he’s doing there. But I don’t get how what he said in my company conflicts with what he’s saying now in WWE. Some might call that hypocritical. That’s not for me to judge,” MJF stated.
Punk spent two years at AEW, briefly holding the world title before departing on bad terms following a backstage altercation—though this did not involve MJF, who made his return to AEW on the night of the Best in the World finals.
MJF claims that unlike Punk, whom he dislikes, he has always stayed true to himself during his wrestling career. “Since day one in pro wrestling, I’ve been consistent: I’m Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better than you, and you know it. I won’t lie—I learned a lot from my dislike of that guy. I learned the difference between being good and being great,” he explained. “Do I like him? No. But I wouldn’t be upset if he lit a fire just to put out another. I won’t pretend I didn’t learn from him.”
Punk returned to WWE in November 2023 and has since thrived, becoming world champion and main eventing WrestleMania last year. The 47-year-old previously criticized AEW’s management, labeling the promotion “unprofessional” after his firing following a backstage fight with Jack Perry. He voiced these opinions during an April 2024 interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
Regarding MJF, Punk has recognized his former rival’s talent despite their cold relationship. Two years ago, in a conversation with Helwani, Punk praised MJF but acknowledged he sometimes catered too much to a niche internet crowd, saying, “I think MJF is great, but where he wasn’t great was when he played to a small niche internet audience. If that’s who they want to reach, that’s fine.”
MJF remains AEW’s top star since the company’s 2019 inception and frequently surfaces in WWE’s future plans. Speaking to Van Vleet, MJF confirmed that WWE continues to pursue him and that his AEW contract runs through 2027. Before re-signing with AEW during the “2024 Bidding War,” there was intense speculation about him possibly jumping to WWE.
Fan Take: This ongoing rivalry between MJF and CM Punk keeps WWE fans riveted because it blends real-life tension with in-ring storytelling, hinting at potential blockbuster encounters down the line. Their contrasting attitudes and career trajectories may set the stage for future cross-promotional drama that could redefine competition between wrestling giants.
