Since cutting one of the most memorable commercials in AEW television history the last time he appeared there, MJF has been silent on both talent and promotion. That occurred on June 1 immediately following a defeat to Wardlow at Double Or Nothing. Friedman had skipped a fan gathering before that match, and there were whispers that he could also skip the pay-per-view.
He made an appearance at the PPV, was hit with 10 powerbombs by the current TNT Champion, and had to be carried away. After calling Tony Khan a “f***ing mark,” MJF began the June 1 episode of Wednesday Night Dynamite by yelling into the camera that he wasn’t pleased working for AEW and wanted to be fired. During the commercial break, CM Punk chased him away, but when Dynamite resumed airing, the announce team simply pretended nothing had happened. Since then, no one has seen or heard from Friedman. not on television or social media.
Several circumstances that are keeping some of AEW’s top performers off the air were broken down by Dave Meltzer in the August 1 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Friedman claimed that “nobody knows what’s wrong with MJF” in his writing. He pointed out that MJF and CM Punk are the two biggest names still firmly on the AEW shelf despite Bryan Danielson’s return and Kenny Omega’s apparent online involvement with Will Ospreay.
The MJF vs. AEW angle currently seems to be sailing without any wind. Even if Wardlow and HOOK’s title victories undoubtedly occurred later than they should have because Forbidden Door and Death Before Dishonor needed to be developed, all Elite fans have incredibly long memories and gave them great ovations. Khan and AEW shouldn’t bank on it, and at this point it’s not even certain how viewers would respond if Friedman appeared on television.
While he started his June 1 pipebomb as a heel, by the time he was ripping on ex-WWE guys and not getting what he believes he deserves, the crowd was rooting for him. Khan and AEW are silent on the contract dispute, but wrestlers like Chris Jericho and Ricky Starks have spoken out. Of course, the views are divergent, as Jericho feels that the MJF should uphold the agreement he made with AEW while Starks remarked that he doesn’t blame the MJF for trying to get his luggage. That most likely sums up the division that Friedman’s fans would experience whenever he rejoins AEW television. assuming that’s even possible at this point.
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