MJF is now publicly firing back after reports surfaced claiming people inside WWE have been privately questioning AEW’s long-term television future.
While speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, MJF addressed the recent reports directly and made it clear he believes the narrative coming from WWE sources is more about business strategy than reality: “I’m a Nick Khan fan. I understand what he’s doing.”
MJF then immediately shifted toward criticizing the reports suggesting AEW could struggle to land another major television rights deal after its current agreement expires.
“We have to be smart about what sources we listen to. So I believe this was last week—there was something like, ‘WWE sources are saying AEW is struggling to get a TV deal.’ Come on, bro. Come on, bro.”
According to MJF, Warner Bros. Discovery is extremely happy with AEW’s performance, completely contradicting the backstage speculation: “Warner Bros. Discovery is over the moon with us.” The former AEW World Champion then compared the situation to one major corporation trying to publicly undermine a competitor through media narratives.
“That would be like Coca-Cola sources saying that Pepsi makes their liquids entirely out of ass juice. It’s like—let’s look at the source and then judge it. “So that was weird and sh****.”
He then explained why he believes these kinds of stories are appearing more frequently now, especially as perceptions surrounding both companies continue evolving in 2026.
“It’s a game of trying to control the media and trying to control the way people think.”
According to MJF, WWE benefited for years from the public narrative that “AEW bad,” but he believes that mindset has started shifting recently: “Because for the longest time it was ‘AEW bad.’”
He also suggested frustrations involving WWE’s recent contract restructuring issues may be pushing some wrestlers and fans to look at AEW differently now.
“Well now people are disenchanted—whether it’s WWE wrestlers taking a 50% cut or just feeling frustrated as a whole—so they’re like, ‘Maybe I should give AEW a look.’”
MJF then joked that positive momentum surrounding AEW may have triggered an immediate response strategy: “Oh shit—they’re talking positively about AEW—what can we do here?”
Despite the criticism, MJF made it clear he actually understands the business reasoning behind the alleged media strategy and does not necessarily view it as personal.
“Again, I’m not coming for anyone. I’m not even saying it’s bad—it’s a smart business tactic, but it’s a business tactic nonetheless.”
MJF’s comments come shortly after Tony Khan also publicly responded to the reports during the ROH Supercard of Honor media scrum, where Khan insisted claims about AEW struggling for another television deal “could not be further from the truth.”
The original Wrestling Observer Newsletter report claimed some WWE officials have privately discussed uncertainty regarding AEW’s future media rights situation once the Paramount-Skydance merger is finalized, although the report also noted similar rumors surfaced before AEW previously landed a significant television rights increase.
Bottom line: MJF clearly believes the recent WWE-related TV deal rumors are less about AEW’s actual business health and more about controlling perception as competition between the two companies continues heating up behind the scenes.
Do you think MJF is right that these reports are part of a larger media strategy, or do you believe there are legitimate questions about AEW’s long-term television future? Leave your thoughts below.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.