AEW World Champion MJF pens a passionate message ahead of AEW Worlds End.
MJF will headline the pay-per-view on December 30. Prior to the show, he wrote an article for The Players’ Tribune. Among other highlights, he emphasized the importance of the company’s existence.
“There’s a reason that ‘workers rights’ get brought up so often in conversations around AEW: It’s because we have a lot goddamn more of them now,” wrote MJF. “This sh*t isn’t rocket science. Competition = bad for management, good for labor. There used to be one major American wrestling company, now there’s two. That f*cking matters. It matters for the wrestlers who work here, since we all have jobs that literally didn’t exist five years ago.
“But it also matters for the wrestlers who don’t work here. For everyone in WWE, AEW means not having to work in monopoly conditions. It means more options, which means more leverage, which means more money. (And I’ll take a wild guess and say better treatment.) And for wrestlers outside those two companies, AEW matters not just because it exists, but because of how it exists. Listen … if you google me, I think it says I’m 5’11” — but we all know that’s horsesh*t. I’m like 5’8″, guys. And this is a place where, simply put, a 5’8″ Jew can be world champ. If you know wrestling history then you know that’s a big deal and why.”
MJF On AEW’s Critics
MJF went on to state that it’s okay if people don’t like AEW as a product, but wishing for it to crumble or fold is essentially rooting for less power in the wrestlers’ hands, and that’s something MJF won’t stand for.
“So while I welcome anyone being critical of AEW (God knows I am)….. if you’re actually actively rooting against us? Against us EXISTING? Guess what, you’re the f*cking worst,” MJF wrote. “You’re rooting against workers. And that’s the truth. Because out of all the incredible things that AEW has done over these last five years, #1 with a bullet is ‘put MJF on TV.’ But #2 is ‘make the wrestling industry just a little bit better to work in.'”
MJF has had the highest highs, and the lowest lows
MJF also looked back on some of the highs and lows he’s had in the company. He referenced some of the obstacles he has faced. The champion made it clear that he was proud that he never made any excuses.
“It’s weird. During my time in AEW, I’ve had the highest highs — so high they’re untouchable for anyone else in this business (no offense!!). But I’ve also had the lowest lows — so low, with such stupidly bad timing, that I honestly sometimes think I’m cursed,” wrote MJF. “Like I think maybe the wrestle gods were trolling one day and said, ‘Alright. Let’s create this dude who’s a GOAT on the mic, up there with anyone bell-to-bell, looks electric in a Burberry scarf, is unnecessarily good at singing, and is easily the most exciting performer of the biggest boom period in decades. But every time he does something great let’s have this other dude (note: whom I wish the best!!!) eat a fcking muffin. Or let’s have someone get injured. Or let’s have someone else do some other dumb sh*t.’ It’s like all of my best moments have come with a bad moment attached.
“Not sure why it’s worked out like that…. but you play the hand you’re dealt. And while I’m proud of a lot of things I’ve done in AEW, near the tippy top of the list is the fact that I’ve never made an excuse. Not one single time. No matter how much bullsht has come my way (and so much bullsht has come my way). No matter how much pain I’m in behind the scenes (and sometimes I wish you guys knew), no matter what, man. I’ve just done my job. What a concept.”
WrestleZone will have coverage of AEW Worlds End as it airs on Saturday.
