The MJF and AEW Beef - A Brief Overview
The "Scum of the Earth" Has Publicly Demanded a New Contract
I could’ve sworn I wrote a similar story to this just a few weeks ago…
It’s now AEW’s turn to have their own version of backstage drama. At Sunday’s Double or Nothing, MJF was scheduled to face Wardlow, his former bodyguard. We saw the match play out as scheduled, with MJF being on the receiving end of the Powerbomb Symphony. Wardlow was now free from his mentor, and he will apparently be undergoing a change, with new attire and entrance music.
However, this story has nothing to do with Wardlow. It has everything to do with MJF.
For months, the three-time Dynamite Diamond Ring winner has gone to AEW management asking for a new contract. He wants to be paid at the same level as the top names in the company, such as Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and Bryan Danielson. On Dynamite and social media, MJF has called the battle for his services the bidding war of 2024.
Saturday night saw the first major developments in this saga. This was the date of AEW Fan Fest, a convention where AEW fans could meet their favorite stars. MJF was advertised to show and sign autographs, but he decided not to attend. It was later reported that he was seen playing slots at the nearby Mandalay Bay casino playing slot machines. A few hours later, it was reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful that a flight out of Las Vegas was booked for MJF.
As Sunday rolled around, many wrestling fans questioned whether or not the Salt of the Earth would actually appear for his match against Wardlow. Lo and behold, MJF was the first match of the night, taking the fall in what was essentially a squash match. The general assumption was that he would be taking a few weeks off to heal and sort out details of a potential new contract.
Instead, this story took another twist. It was advertised on Wednesday that MJF would speak his mind on that Wednesday’s Dynamite. He spent nearly eight minutes in the ring, tearing into the wrestlers backstage, the fans, and even Tony Khan himself. It was one of the best wrestling promos that we have seen in years, and people are debating whether or not it was a work or a shoot.
As of this writing, that’s all the up-to-date information as to the MJF and AEW beef, but this is just the start of something deeper. Although this story shares some similarities to the Sasha Banks-Naomi saga, there are key differences. While Sasha and Naomi walked out over creative and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, MJF’s issues with AEW are embroiled in money. He genuinely seems upset that the “ex-WWE guys” are getting paid more than someone who’s been there since day one.
Even after all of this public charade, I still feel like this is a work at this point. MJF has been able to blur the lines between kayfabe and reality better than anyone over the past 30 years. Am I surprised he blew off the meet and greet to play slots? Absolutely not. That’s classic MJF. The MJF who makes kids cry and rips up signs would also be the one to cause people to react in anger when he’s not there. The “pipe bomb” promo on Wednesday seemed as real as can be, and I believe his feelings word for word.
With that said, MJF was advertised to be on Dynamite. Tony Khan and crew KNEW he was going to say something in regards to the events of the past weekend. It would’ve been the elephant in the room, and surely the Internet would have been talking. This is not CM Punk’s pipe bomb from 2011, which was unadvertised. When MJF’s music hit, AEW fans knew they were in for something special.
If I had to venture a guess, MJF has either already signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling or he’s pretty close. Again, I have no evidence to prove this, but in a story filled with twists and turns, this would certainly be one of the bigger ones. AEW knows they cannot lose MJF. WWE’s interest in him goes back almost a year. Surely, on January 1, 2024, they’d be calling quickly. It’s in AEW’s best interest to lock him up fast. If they lose a second top star to their competition, it gives the entire promotion a bad look.
Nonetheless, MJF is going to go where the money is. Whether that’s in WWE or AEW remains to be seen. The bidding war for 2024 may already be over. Instead, the bidding war for 2022 may be just around the corner. Buckle up, wrestling fans. This one’s going to be a bumpy ride.