Major update on MJF's backstage perception in AEW

Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has been one of the mainstays of AEW since his debut in 2019. In his six years with the promotion, the star has had significant in-ring accomplishments, including a 406-day reign as World Champion. His reign particularly stands out because it's the second-longest in the history of the company.

Despite his on-screen success, Friedman's backstage perception has become a topic of discussion at times. During a recent Fightful Select Q&A session, wrestling insider Sean Ross Sapp addressed a fan's inquiry about MJF's backstage perception. Sapp stated:

"It's improved a lot over the last nine or ten months, and he's worked hard at that. There were times when it wasn't great, and the perception of him backstage wasn't great. I think a lot of that comes with being the top singles act, top tag act, and the main guy getting promo time all at once."

While Sean credits most of the backstage perception to MJF's positioning as a top figure in the industry, a backstage altercation between MJF and fellow AEW star Britt Baker in 2024 could have contributed to this perception. Both stars have since moved on from the situation, with MJF even later addressing the incident, suggesting that it was exaggerated.

In recent times, the Salt Of The Earth has aligned himself with The Hurt Syndicate after weeks of persuasion. The group that includes MVP and the World Tag Team champions Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin is one of the most dominant factions in All Elite Wrestling. He even signed an official contract to solidify this alliance last month on Dynamite: Beach Break.

MJF's first AEW match in 3 months confirmed

We have not seen MJF wrestle in AEW since his loss to Hangman Page at Revolution earlier this year. However, the former World Champion is now set for an in-ring return after 3 months.

The Jacksonville-based promotion has officially announced that MJF will compete in his first match since March as part of The Hurt Syndicate. Teaming with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, The Salt of the Earth will face Speedball Mike Bailey, Kommander, and Kevin Knight in a trios match at AEW Summer Blockbuster.

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This bout marks MJF’s in-ring debut as an official member of The Hurt Syndicate.

About the author

Karan Raj is a senior writer in Sportskeeda's AEW division. He holds an engineering degree from Manipal University, but his passion for sports motivated him to pursue an MSc in Sports Business from the University of Liverpool. Karan has been in the sports marketing industry for the past seven years.

As a lifelong WWE fan and enthusiast of wrestling entertainment, he has always been drawn to the industry's unique blend of sports and storytelling. Karan was introduced to the business by his elder sister when he was 10 years old.

Before assuming his current role at Sportskeeda, Karan worked for several reputable organizations, such as Ting Works LLP and Sportz Interactive, wearing different hats. He also wrote the anthem of UP Rudras, a hockey team that played in the Hockey India League. Karan conducts thorough research while writing articles and only relies on credible sources for information.

Karan's favorite pro wrestler is Seth Rollins. He admires The Visionary's versatility as a performer and his ability to play both heel and babyface characters to perfection. Besides Rollins, Karan looks up to Roman Reigns for his storytelling skills and ability to captivate audiences.

In AEW, he enjoys watching Will Ospreay compete inside the ring. Karan loves The Aerial Assassin's technical in-ring ability and athleticism. If Karan could go back to the Attitude Era, he would combine forces with Jericho and promise to elevate his career to the same level as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.When not writing about pro wrestling, Karan loves to play and watch football. It is a huge part of his life.

He is also a massive fan of tennis and is learning to play the sport. Apart from sports, he also knows how to play the ukulele.

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Edited by Brandon Nell

Major update on MJF's backstage perception in AEW - Reports

MJF's first AEW match in 3 months confirmed