MJF isn’t holding back when it comes to wrestlers jumping from All Elite Wrestling to WWE — especially if the move comes with less money.
While speaking with Denise Salcedo, the AEW World Champion went off on the topic and made it clear he believes the best wrestlers in the world are already competing in AEW. To make that point, MJF started listing several names from the company’s locker room that he believes represent the elite level of talent in the industry.
“Yeah, we’re the best wrestlers, and that’s just a fact. Me, Swerve Strickland, Hangman Adam Page, Samoa Joe, Kenny Omega, Brody King, Bandido. I’ll just say it after I had to wrestle him last week—f**ing Kevin Knight. Speedball Mike Bailey’s really got something. Kyle Fletcher, Okada, Takeshita, Jon Moxley. I could go on until I’m literally out of oxygen.”
After praising AEW’s roster, MJF explained why he believes the promotion’s locker room stands apart from others in wrestling. According to him, many of AEW’s stars grew up with the singular goal of becoming professional wrestlers.
“This is where the best wrestle. We’re real premier athletes. We’re not models. We’re not ex-football players or ex-volleyball players or whatever. This is what we’ve wanted to do from the jump.”
MJF then turned his attention to the growing trend of wrestlers leaving AEW for WWE. The Salt of the Earth admitted he doesn’t understand why anyone would make that move if the pay and booking situation isn’t better.
“God bless people that do it, but some people will jump to the other place to get booked the same or worse and be compensated for less. Why? I don’t know.”
For MJF, chasing a WrestleMania moment isn’t enough of a reason to take a financial step backwards. He made it clear that securing his future and taking care of his family matters far more to him than any one event. He went on to explain that when he talks about legacy, he isn’t thinking about trophies — he’s thinking about the life he can provide for his family.
“I’m not going to settle for less compensation just so I can have a WrestleMania moment. That doesn’t make sense to me. My legacy is my family. My legacy is my wife. My legacy is my children, my grandchildren.”
MJF also reminded fans just how brutal professional wrestling can be on the body, making it clear that performers deserve to be properly compensated for the physical toll the job takes. He wrapped up the topic by praising Tony Khan for understanding what wrestlers go through and compensating them properly.
“We wake up every morning in a severe amount of pain. What we do is incredibly painful. What we do is incredibly hard. Tony Khan—is he a mark? Yes. But he’s also caring and genuine and understands what we’re doing. We’re putting our bodies on the line for him to make money, so the least he can do is give some of that back to us.”
Whether you agree with him or not, MJF clearly isn’t losing sleep over what the other side offers — and if his comments are any indication, he believes AEW is exactly where the top talent — and the real money — already are.
Do you agree with MJF’s take that wrestlers shouldn’t leave AEW for less money just to chase a WrestleMania moment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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