AEW and MJF’s Misogyny Is Easily Fixable

AEW’s Dynamite Spring BreakThru episode was both a celebration and an all-timer episode, except for one segment involving MJF and The Hurt Syndicate. The issue is the underlying presentation of women as objects.

It’s not the first time this year this has occurred with MJF’s character, but it’s a problem. It left a sour taste in some fans’ mouths.

MJF is an incredible heel and wrestler. Few twenty-nine-year-olds would have coped with his first and historic World Championship reign. Nor navigate the subsequent turmoil.

The character, whose lore remains consistent, simplistic, and archetypical, exposes something very true about masculinity. It’s nuanced, but the character’s misogynistic streak is alienating some female fans.

The nature of online outrage leads to dismissal and minimisation. The impact, however, is real. Not just for women.

It’s just as relevant for men and our relationship with women. The historic issues of misogyny go beyond wrestling to real life. Yet, in the context of wrestling, there is the real risk that female AEW fans will become alienated.

My partner is slowly but increasingly becoming a wrestling fan. She loves MJF and “Timeless” Toni Storm. Wherever she hears The Hurt Syndicate’s music, she’ll pop and sing along. I want her and other female fans to keep enjoying AEW and wrestling.

For her and others to feel that when MJF says he is better than us, and we know it, it’s not a reminder of real sexist attitudes that say they are less than.

“A Fan of Nice Things”

In MJF’s attempt to convince Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin to allow him to join the faction, the once-in-a-generational wrestler brought “talent”. MJF invited a group of women dressed in black into the ring.

They surrounded the AEW World Tag Team champions. The kayfabe implications were clear. These women are sex workers.

It was otherwise a hilarious comic segment. The humour comes from the contrasting characterisation, the desperation, and the incredible characterisation of MJF, as well as the cool, no-BS presentation of The Hurt Syndicate.

MJF, the spoiled rich kid, wants to buy his way into the club. He is looking to buy his way to friendship. His desperation is the root of the humour. It’s sad and pathetic in one way.

What’s not funny is the use of these women as literal props. Their purpose is one-dimensional. They’re there for sex. It’s The Attitude Era train in all but name.

It’s a trade: let me join and I’ll pay women to have sex with you. The women are there to be ogled and spun around for the male gaze, which Shelton Benjamin demonstrated. Benjamin’s answer is that he’s “a fan of nice things”.

When MJF replies there’s “plenty more watches and women”, the two are interchangeable objects. Things of value. Objectification.

“Stupid and Degrading”

Most of us aren’t silly. We know these local indie wrestlers are playing sex workers. They willingly agreed to take these roles.

The fact that their roles are interchangeable. Compared to security guards, who get beaten up, the women in this segment existed only for their appearance. They’re background characters whose function is purely decorative.

My partner’s first exposure to women’s wrestling was the Attitude Era. She cringed when talking about the segment. Like many female fans, the segment gave her the ick.

She called it “stupid and degrading.” Yet, optimistically, she said it’s fixable.

Contrasted with the way Athena, Mercedes Mone, and “Timeless” Toni Storm were presented as characters highlights a huge gulf in AEW’s general presentation of women in the spotlight. Women are objectified and are not yet equal in this world. Bluntly, some folks don’t want them to be.

Women are used to being dehumanised into sexual objects, reproductive organs, and kitchen/household appliances. Classified as either Madonna virgins or whores. If you want a wrestling analogy I’ve used before, Elizabeths and Jezebels, or somehow both at once.

MJF is Not a Role Model?

As fans we are supposed to find MJF a despicable scumbag. Yet, part of the character’s heat comes from having advantages that have granted him success, and still, MJF cuts corners.

The character’s wealth and incredible physical and gift of the gab make everything appear easy. That gift of the gab means the character manipulates his way out of trouble and can get whatever he desires.

We are supposed to hate MJF in part because immoral, cheats, and hasn’t “earned” that success the “right way”. Yet, that success is what? Money, materialism, and career achievements.

Historically, women have been included as an achievement/property/commodity. The traditional heat is based on jealousy. MJF can get all the women he wants.

A small and key part of the archetype that goes beyond wrestling and Ric Flair. We see it in film characters, like American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman. Or real-life figures turned iconic characters like Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street.

It’s hard not to draw a parallel between MJF and Belfort, given MJF returned with the moniker “The Wolf of Wrestling”. Charismatic individuals who, with power, money, and no empathy, do whatever they want to whoever they want.

Figures our culture loves to hate but also admires. Afterall, as the crowd said Wednesday, MJF is our “scumbag”. We love to hate Max.

I love MJF because under that, he’s like a lot of real powerful men, an insecure man-child. The problem comes when “cheap heat” comes at the cost of reminding women of their actual struggles. Beyond men like that archetype.

Solutions Are Straightforward

Let’s exclude real-life men who fit the same archetype. Rich, powerful, near-sociopathic, alpha males who have criminal convictions or allegations against them for sexually assaulting women, like Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, and Sean Combs.

Even within the wrestling bubble, the ongoing legal cases where powerful, rich men await court dates have allegedly abused their power. Put those aside, and consider that in everyday life, women face discrimination. Verbally, emotionally, and physically in various ways.

We live in a world of Andrew Tates and manosphere influencers. Men who preach intolerance and hatred towards women because they feel weak and powerless. Can you blame some women for wanting wrestling to be escapism away from these problems?

Remove the sexism, and MJF remains identical. Nothing about his character’s lore, motivations, or flaws changes.

Or if they reflect real-world issues, with some thought, humanise women. Look at Storm and Mariah May’s arc and May’s sapphic arc with Mina Shirakawa. Have the good guys and company point out MJF’s out-of-touch.

If The Hurt Syndicate, as heels/tweeners, aren’t going to call out the sexism, why don’t the commentary team? Why not subvert expectations with the women acting? Create more comedy, more of the good stuff.

All solutions were suggested by women. Including my partner, or female wrestling fans, like Sarah and MJ of Waffly Bollox Podcast.

MJF is a perfect reflection of alpha-male toxicity. As an inverse of AEW’s modern masculinity presented in other male characters, signposting why he’s wrong isn’t dumbing down, it’s making it clear. Too many men still miss that the male protagonists in books/films like Fight Club and American Psycho are a satirical reflection of hyper masculinity.

Small thought for a huge difference and elevates everyone’s enjoyment.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling