The World Champion wants to remain with AEW.
MJF is in the midst of his first reign as AEW World Champion. The title has been in his possession for a full year and his next defense is scheduled to take place at AEW Worlds End on December 30th against Samoa Joe.
MJF served as an executive producer for The Iron Claw movie and was cast in the film as Lance Von Erich. Ahead of that film’s public release date and his upcoming World Title match, he joined Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast to promote it all.
During the chat, MJF was asked for an update on his AEW contract status and stated that it remains the same. He said he has yet to re-sign with AEW, but wants to stay there.
I’ve been saying the same thing (about my contract expiration date). I never lied. January 1st, 2024. When stuff like that gets leaked out, it makes me laugh because I remember something leaked out about Cody (Rhodes) having secretly re-signed and then he showed up (in WWE). Something got leaked out about, you know, CM Punk and Tony Khan or you know… I think fans leak out things that they want to be true. I love AEW, I wanna stay in AEW. After this pay-per-view (Worlds End), it’s time to assess the situation for a professional setting. So… not yet (I haven’t re-signed).
While Cody Rhodes was doing media, he stated his opinion that people will see MJF in WWE one day. MJF reacted to what Rhodes said and does not understand why those on social media were going after Rhodes for his opinion.
I saw fans actually sh*tting on him (Cody Rhodes) when all he was saying was his opinion (about my future). It’s his opinion. I pray to God I don’t get lambasted online for some of the opinions I’m doing in this interview. I just feel like everything’s so radicalized now and hyperbolic now. There’s certain aspects about social media I love. I think it brings people of the same like-mindedness together, I think it allows people to find their own communities. But what I hate about some of the social media is I find that hate-mongering and fear-mongering is the stuff that gets pushed the most and it’s because of this sensationalist stuff that people start believing in the sensationalized stuff and hyperbolic stuff and I can’t relate to it. I’m a straight shooter. I say it like it is 100 percent of the time. Cody Rhodes felt that way. In Cody Rhodes’ mind and opinion, that was his way of putting over a friend, a prodigy, a former co-worker, a former protégé… So, I still talk to Cody to this day. He’s a great guy. He’s doing great things over there, I’m doing great things over here.
Following up on that, MJF was asked if there is any concern on his part that if he were to go to WWE that he would not be able to be himself to the fullest degree on television.
He does not get how anyone could put a leash on him. MJF believes his trajectory is going to be the same in any company he’s a part of. He does not disagree that AEW suits him better than anywhere else. MJF added that whatever company he chooses to be a part of, the decision will be based on what feels right to him and what means the most.
I just don’t know how the f*ck you put a leash on me and I swear to God, that’s my honest opinion. I’m sorry I’ve now cursed twice… I don’t think anybody can hold me back from being the monster I am. I think my career trajectory in any company is going to be exactly the same. Do I think in some aspects, AEW fits me like a glove more so than anywhere else? Yeah, I do. Could an argument be made the other way around? Yeah, I’m sure. These are all things I have to think about. What I do know, whatever company I pick, it will be because it feels right and it means the most to me.
Circling back to present day AEW, MJF stated that for a period of time, it felt like the company was in a rebuilding phase. He agrees with the ‘restore the feeling’ phrase that viewers use and feels AEW has done just that.
I feel like the company (AEW) right now, there was a minute there I felt like we were kind of in this rebuild phase and I feel like right now, we’re really building some serious momentum. There are fans online that say, ‘Restore the feeling’ and I dig that line and I am pumped because I feel like we are and we have and we’re continuing to do so and I’m proud to be at the helm of that.
In addition to being AEW World Champion, MJF is one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with Adam Cole, who is sidelined after undergoing two surgeries for a broken ankle.
Cole was involved in MJF’s title defense against Jay White at AEW Full Gear in November.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit SI Media With Jimmy Traina with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
