Fresh off a major win at AEW All In: Texas, MJF has made it clear that he’s gunning for the AEW World Championship. But before that title opportunity materializes, Friedman is making moves south of the border — and has laid down a big challenge.
During this week’s CMLL Informa, CMLL aired a promo from MJF announcing his intention to challenge for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship, currently held by Averno. The message wasn’t just about collecting belts; it looks to be a continuation of his feud with Mistico, one of CMLL’s biggest stars and a Mexican cultural icon.
MJF appeared wearing the Mistico mask he stole at AEW Grand Slam: Mexico last month and declared that taking down one of Mexico’s most beloved stars wasn’t enough, and now he wants to take the title Mistico cares about most.
Friedman identified the Light Heavyweight Title as the belt Mistico values most, despite not holding it, with the idea being that if he can’t go through Mistico directly, he’ll go through the championship picture to force the Mexican hero back into the ring.
A Strategic Move During AEW’s Rise
The timing of this challenge is notable. AEW is riding a wave of momentum following All In: Texas, which drew over 26,000 fans to Globe Life Field. At the event, MJF won the Men’s Casino Gauntlet, securing a future AEW World Title match. It marked a return to top-tier status after a few months away from singles contention, and a recent alignment with the Hurt Syndicate, one of AEW’s top factions. This has given his character fresh direction and edge.
Recently, MJF has been positioned as MVP’s protege of sorts and a slightly out-of-place enthusiastic enforcer to the Syndicate, but his appearances in CMLL and Mexico tell a different story. His role in AEW’s crossover efforts with CMLL has seen him adopt a strikingly patriotic “American Hero” persona – one seemingly reserved for Mexican audiences after he dropped the gimmick after last year’s All In. The move plays directly into long-standing cross-border wrestling archetypes, presenting MJF as an arrogant foreign antagonist in CMLL rings.
Averno Responds…and Warns
In response to the promo, Averno accepted the challenge on Informa, calling MJF a big mouth looking for trouble and vowing to defend the honor of CMLL. He also threw in a pointed threat: that he’ll humiliate MJF in Arena Mexico and send him “back to the United States in a wheelchair.”
While the match hasn’t been officially announced by CMLL, the angle strongly suggests it will take place soon — and it may have long-term implications.
Should MJF win the Light Heavyweight Championship, it could pave the way for a huge rematch with Mistico at CMLL’s 92nd Aniversario event on September 19, one of the most prestigious shows on the global wrestling calendar, or it could even happen at next month’s Forbidden Door show set to feature stars from NJPW, CMLL and more.
It would also make MJF a rare case of an AEW-contracted star holding gold in CMLL, only alongside Mercedes Mone. Whatever happens, this looks to be a bold statement as AEW continues to deepen its international collaborations and inflict major implications for both CMLL and AEW.
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