{"id":150646,"date":"2026-01-14T08:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T13:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=150646"},"modified":"2026-01-13T22:07:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T03:07:55","slug":"why-mjfs-2nd-aew-world-championship-reign-will-be-better-than-his-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/01\/14\/why-mjfs-2nd-aew-world-championship-reign-will-be-better-than-his-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Why MJF\u2019s 2nd AEW World Championship Reign will be Better than His First"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being a self-proclaimed generational wrestler is a burden, as Maxwell Jacob Friedman, MJF, could attest. Once, it felt like fans across the divide between AEW and WWE accepted that the Salt of the Earth was a generational wrestler. And for those in the know, WWE fans acknowledging anyone from the so-called rival company is certainly a big deal.<\/p>\n

But I write ‘was’ rather than ‘is’ because some fans, on both sides of the divide now, seemingly believe MJF\u2019s first AEW Men\u2019s World Championship reign revealed the Devil as being prodigal rather than a prodigy. What was supposed to be a watershed reign for AEW, the longest such reign in the company\u2019s history, has left a stain for the wrong reasons, according to some.<\/p>\n

Outside of wrestling, our culture loves the archetype of the next big superstar failing, crumbling under expectations. I\u2019ve argued MJF\u2019s first reign was a poisoned chalice and history would be kinder<\/a>. Yet since Worlds End 2023, the stink of a failed promise hasn\u2019t left MJF. The character has stagnated.<\/p>\n

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Crisco 1492, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The curse of being too good too soon has meant materials aged fast. Plus, there\u2019s fair criticism of MJF\u2019s overindulgent characterization\/lore. And questionable, uncomfortable, and really unnecessary heat that, if cut, wouldn\u2019t change the character\u2019s DNA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some AEW fans are scared history will repeat itself. Optimistically, I don\u2019t think we\u2019re doomed. In several significant ways, the foundations are better than in 2023.<\/p>\n

CM Punk’s Shadow is Gone<\/h2>\n

MJF\u2019s reign took place under the fallout cloud of Brawl Out. Undoubtedly, the exit of CM Punk dampened the start of MJF\u2019s reign and the entire company. When MJF defeated Jon Moxley at Full Gear 2022, AEW\u2019s greatest transitional champion<\/a> was a stand-in, taking the place of Punk.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t just that MJF was left without a foil or most fitting poetic torch-passer. MJF, as a character, had to do a 180-degree turn. The man, who spent his entire AEW arc before, like Punk in ROH, threatening to jump ship to WWE and insulting AEW, wasn\u2019t sustainable. He was too close to the open wound and the bone beneath.<\/p>\n

Plans had to change. AEW needed to rally itself. Whilst the idea and presentation of MJF as AEW flag-bearer felt at times over the top and cartoonish, bad luck and mishandled creative dampened the intent. If MJF was supposed to be faking it as his own warped version of a company-carrying babyface, the character\u2019s identity crisis mirrored the company\u2019s creative uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Both AEW and its Champion Know Who They Are<\/h2>\n

Both the world champion and promotion are intricately connected in their fortunes and fan perceptions. The inherent correlation is unavoidable and central in pro wrestling. The world champion, the face of the place, becomes the lightning rod for criticism. Again, it doesn\u2019t excuse MJF of responsibility.<\/p>\n

Change was needed for MJF and AEW, but the repeated storms following Punk\u2019s exit left both spinning like a weathervane through different problems. Revisionism ignores how The Brochachos started as the hottest angle in wrestling heading into All In Wembley 2023. MJF and Cole rode close to the thin line between AEW\u2019s grounded wrestling-oriented approach and McMahonism Sports Entertainment, as that source of creativity was drying up. <\/a>Injured knocked the angle and MJF over the line.<\/p>\n

Yet across the card, creative suffered and became more WWE-like. Even down to AEW\u2019s defensiveness in responding to criticism, saw rallying go too far and legitimise bad faith<\/a>. A self-fulfilling prophecy was created, mirrored by MJF\u2019s inconsistencies. Although in fairness, MJF was never involved in the three artificial battles for AEW\u2019s heart and soul that ended at All In Texas.<\/a><\/p>\n

Differently, in January 2026, AEW knows itself. It caters to its audience. Tony Khan is the only one overseeing creative. It\u2019s yet to be seen if MJF’s influence and past overcomplicating his arc strikes again, but if you don\u2019t like MJF as your main character, well…<\/p>\n

AEW has Other Main Characters<\/h2>\n

For some fans, AEW Worlds Ends\u2019 four-way main event and Samoa Joe\u2019s transitional reign seemed unnecessary. Without the middleman, Hangman Adam Page could have dropped the championship to his day one rival and historic foil<\/a>. However, having MJF pin the man who took the Triple B from MJF at the inaugural Worlds End addresses history. Also, being parasocial and making assumptions, revisiting MJF\u2019s past might long-term reflect MJF and Khan wishing to rewrite the wrongs of the past.<\/p>\n

Unlike 2023, all three are on even footing, world championship or not. It saves MJF vs. Page again for another big match. Alongside Strickland, Page is booked strongly. Both men continue their budding, tense team. If you don\u2019t like MJF, Strickland, and Page, provide your alternative. AEW\u2019s original main character isn\u2019t lost in the shuffle.<\/p>\n