MJF is a huge star for All Elite Wrestling. In the eyes of many, and especially himself, he believes that he’s become the biggest star in wrestling to not sign with WWE. That’s an interesting thought, but one that could be debated at this point in his run. Now that he’s back with AEW, he’s right back in the title picture. But slotting him into the Samoa Joe, “Hangman” Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland story immediately creates a major problem with the PPV coming in a few days.
Anytime a star returns the fans immediately look for them to get a major push. AEW doesn’t have a star bigger than MJF, and it makes sense that there’s interest in seeing him chase the title. But it didn’t need to happen right now.
Putting MJF into the main event at AEW World’s End deflates any potential to build to something interesting between Joe, Page, and Strickland. There were already growing rumblings that AEW should look to infuse something “new” into the main event, as Strickland and Page have been around the title for much of the last year. Then there’s Joe, who has talked about retirement openly, with many seeing this title run as the start to that sunset. Infusing this angle with MJF, especially how it was done, overshadows anything going on with those three other men.
MJF would need something “new” as champion
So, let’s say that MJF walks out with the championship in his big return match. Then what? Who is his top feud? Page, Strickland, and Joe should take a step back to allow some newer faces to rise to the top. There are rumors that Jay White may be on his way back, but his stock can’t take another loss in a main event angle. What about Bobby Lashley? Perhaps. There’s history there, but again - will AEW put a loss on Lashley in a top feud at this point? The company hasn’t really done so at this point. There’s a dearth of contenders at the top and that could hurt MJF’s position as champion if he wins the title to close out 2025.
AEW World’s End sets up an interesting lead in for 2026. The company has booked itself into a situation in which MJF basically has to win the world title. Only the future will tell if this is the right call, but what is done is done and perhaps there’s a bigger shift set to happen.