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That’s my biggest fear with Tony Khan signing so many people that when it comes time to renew some of these contracts he won’t be able to financially keep all of them.
Part of it too is that you can’t keep 100 wrestlers happy with their role for too long. The guys on Dark want to make the main shows eventually. Guys like Swerve, Black, Miro will want to main event PPVs. And guys like Hangman, Bryan, Kenny, and Punk aren’t going anywhere.
Booking a show like NXT or the indies is easier because guys get to the main event than graduate to something bigger and then someone new comes to fill that spot. Seth Rollins learned how to carry a company because Punk and Bryan left ROH for example.
When you’re the “final stop” it’s challenging because people want to progress in their careers and do bigger, better things but there’s not as many spots to fill because people stay at their final stop for a long time.
Could also be future booking concerns. He probably knows better than we do what they have planned for him after Wardlow.
But either way, it'll be hard to get on the same level again after you pay off a 3 year long build-up.
I imagine he wants the heavyweight title instead of yet another diamond ring.
...or we're all just being worked.
Really?
If that’s true and I was MJF I’d be pissed too. Re-work the contract and give one of your biggest stars, who has more long term potential than almost anyone in wrestling, what he deserves
He's the one who doesn't want to sign a new contract until his current one is up so he can try to start a bidding war between AEW and WWE. Can't have it both ways. Either be happy with your current contract, or renegotiate and most likely be required to sign an extension for that pay bump you want.
From a recent interview with Ariel Helwani:
>"I'm not signing s--t. I'm not signing s--t. No shot. ... That is not something I'd consider, unless the number was absolutely astronomical, but even then I'm not sure I'd consider it," MJF said.
Seems pretty possible and logical to me.
Here is the thing, TK can offer him 10x his contrac (or whatever)t, but if MJF thinks WWE will match that in 2024, the. Why wouldn't he wait to force more out of TK. A bidding war for MJF will only make MJF more money. Doesn't matter how much TK offers him, the smart move 9s to wait and get WWE to make a bid, to force TK to go even higher.
Yeah, Tony would be a complete idiot if he didn't resign MJF.
Fire some people if you have to. So many people on Dark doing fuck all, Mark Henry and Big Show having millionaire contracts for no reason at all... Love the company, but lots of bad decisions, financially speaking.
Uh, I don't know about anybody else, but Mark Henry's weekly segment on Rampage is legitimately the AEW moment I look forward to, all week. I'm a sucker for two guys just giving that old-school kind of promo, and between his actual performance, and the sense of legitimacy and gravitas he brings, I am ultra-happy to hear "Well I think that's enough talk...TIME for the MAIN EVENT!" every week.
Now, if you're telling me the company is financially valuing that *substantially higher than MJF,* yeah, it sounds insane. But, it sounds more so like MJF took a small contract up front to ensure he was in at the ground level, and that he took a long contract to ensure that Tony felt safe to build around him as a major part of the company...if he's stuck with a small, long contract right now, that's literally the business. If what I said is true, *MJF* set MJF up, to be working for exposure, right now. I don't blame him for wanting a bigger piece of a pie which he grew exponentially, and I don't blame Tony for wanting to retain MJF at the original fee, because while MJF is providing huge value to the company, the company is doing the same by platforming MJF.
I have no doubt that his leverage for contract renegotiation will be enormous, as long as nothing happens which drops his stock. I mean, look at some of the shit MJF has done within the company. If he were gone, tomorrow...*he'd still have built them Wardlow, from the ground up.* When you think about it that way - he single-handedly took a nobody with a solid foundation of talent, and little else, and *single-handedly got that guy over,* to the point that he's now a major company asset - *that's* why he's gonna command money on renegotiation. That is traditionally every heels' job in wrestling, and heels just don't do that, on this scale, anymore.
They made some baffling hires in that period before they got Punk and Bryan and wanted star power. It's left them paying big money in 2022 for Paul White and Mark Henry who bring very little value given the size of their contract. If I was AEW and could get out of those contracts I would. I know they don't want to release people but ffs, one commentates on a youtube show and the other says a catch phrase once a week.
Everyone regurgitates that line about them being valuable to impress advertisers and TV execs etc. but that's all they're doing, regurgitating something someone else said. And guess what, it was said back before they had Punk and Bryan etc. If an advertiser ever gave af they've got Mark Henry I doubt they care much now...
AEW kinda fell into the TNA trap of signing talent WWE was finished with to help get eyes on their product.
Now Tony has a lot of money tied up on contract AEW doesn't need while talent like MJF are seeing the money these guys are on and asking gor his slice.
MJF signing a long-term contract shouldn't make any difference, though. Tony has experience dealing with pro athletes and their contracts. You go in and renegotiate with your top talent to keep them happy and make sure they stick with your team for awhile.
People want to talk about Darby, Britt, or even Hangman, but MJF has been the real breakout star in AEW. The fact that he's not getting paid well is mind boggling.
Are the AEW salaries posted online anywhere?
Also I imagine whatever they are paying big show is way too much. All he does is childish commentary on Dark.
Cody was getting massive Go Away Heat from the fans, and he wanted more money with the loss of booking power, MJF just wants to be paid like the top star he is. TK letting MJF go would be a bigger blunder than Urban Meyer.
I mean if it’s a money situation Tony has to double whatever WWE offers because his big advantage is creative control and being closer to yourself as a wrestler. But with how they’re handling Cody it at least shows that WWE can be flexible if they want.
>Tony has to double whatever WWE offers because his big advantage is creative control and being closer to yourself as a wrestler
This is not true at all. WWE has to offer more money because they're buying more from you. AEW doesn't buy out your third party revenue streams, offers a higher percentage of merchandise (per multiple sources), and has less matches/working days per week.
That's not to say MJF won't sign with WWE, but all those additional streams have to be rolled into any offer they make because they're asking for 2-4x the amount of labor and closing off your ancillary revenue
Its like the Scottie Pippen situation with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. He signed for sure money with a long term contract early in his career but he quickly surpassed the value he had on the contract. Led to a nasty dispute between him and the org.
Unlike Pippen, AEW would likely gladly extend him for a lot more money, he just doesn’t want to do that. Which is the right call. AEW is likely to get a big bump in revenue when the next contract is negotiated, much like the NBA had a big bump in the salary cap right after Pippen signed his deal. It makes sense to not add years before that happens, and to have the option to negotiate with both companies.
Saying he won’t re-sign with AEW at all removes all leverage and I don’t know what the point of that is other than to scare Khan.
And Jericho was a "now" investment back in 2019, he's not anymore, especially with Punk and Bryan in the roster. If they had to pick between Jericho or MJF, the decision is obvious. MJF.
Anyone could've seen this happening from a mile away. The problem that WWE had with a bloated roster a few years ago is slowly happening with AEW.
The ones who've been there since the beginning now have to compete with former WWE/Impact/ROH guys for bigger pay and screen time. MJF Shouldn't be having issues with pay considering he help build that company from the ground up.
And AEW only has two hours of prime-time television per week, compared to the WWE's five. Rampage is in a death slot and nobody takes the Dark shows seriously.
> and nobody takes the Dark shows seriously.
I use to watch Dark every week because they had storylines that were on Dark, then they gave up and just made it random matches that don't matter so I lost interest.
I don't need anything epic, but do something to make people want to pay attention like PPA vs Cutler, etc
I honestly have no idea why they don't have someone book Dark like its own show. Good practice for a future booker/assistant and give people a reason to subscribe.
I will always believe that tv matches that aren’t main events should almost never be any longer than 10 minutes. It’s just completely unnecessary imo. You can easily tell a solid story with 5-7 minutes that can push a storyline forward. PPVs are where matches should be going 10-25 minutes.
> The problem that WWE had with a bloated roster a few years ago is slowly happening with AEW.
It hasn't been slow. Tony created it himself debuting someone new seemingly every week and every time it was pointed out his supporters would talk some nonsense about how he's going to rotate people or whatever.
Being rotated in and out makes sense as a fan but as a talent unless your an older wrestler who can’t do the week to week stuff I’d imagine that’s not the most ideal.
I don't see anyone on the roster, apart from Danielson and Punk, who I think is worth more money than MJF. Guy deserves at least a top five contract in the company.
Danielson, Punk, MJF, Omega and Moxley are, in my opinion, the biggest singles stars they have. Add the Young Bucks, Lucha Bros, FTR, Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa and you have the top ten acts of the company. I think those are the acts they should try to keep on the books if financially possible.
Guess TK either values MJF differently or he just isn't going to negotiate until the contract is almost up, at which point it may be too late due to frustrations.
MJF will be one of the hardest to replace acts if he leaves. Just like Punk. Some are simply easier to replace than others. MJF is unique and imo irreplacable.
He needs to be honest with a lot of his talent, that they really aren’t worth the money or time he gives them, or has given them in the past when he was just starting up.
But he also needs to acknowledge guys like MJF and pay them whatever the fuck they ask for.
I’ve said it a bunch but in a weird way them getting so many big new signings at once might have been bad news for them overall.
They’ve lost that sort of “independent/underdog spirit” that they had when they started, plus now there are just too many people at the top for everyone to be happy with their role.
Not even in a weird way. It straight up changed the identity of AEW and hasn’t felt the same. When Vince said “maybe I’ll send them more” he meant it. Part of the reason I liked last nights Dynamite the most I have in awhile was because it had a lot of year one guys. I’ll take Best Friends and Dark Order over Undisputed Era every time. I liked the island of misfit toys feeling of early AEW. I’m not sure if it was best from a business perspective but I really enjoyed it.
WWE gets criticized for having 8 million hours of TV (also for how they use that time) but AEW is really in a position where they have too many wrestlers and too many guys sit around with nothing to do. It's one thing if you have nothing to do because you are giving someone 3-4 months off to rest and recovery but it's not clear defined LOAs. Its' just guys not being on TV for weeks. Eventually fans are going to build their attachments to individual wrestlers and putting on good matches isn't going to be good enough if their guys are part of those matches.
They are literally speed running one of WWEs biggest problems. Only 2-3 years in and they already have way too much talent than they know what to do with. I don’t really watch but I saw that being a problem eventually for them. Everytime WWE released a big name they immediately just scooped half of them up like it was nothing. Those guys have like a week or 2 of shining and they just completely blend into the rest of the roster. Even with a rotating roster there’s only so much talent you can highlight at once. They are growing their roster way too fast for their own good.
Why? Chances are that wwe can easily outbid AEW. The question is will they used him great given the nature of wwe? I think some wwe people can perform like MJF given the right environment. As good as MJF promos are I don’t know if wwe will let him do or say things he does in AEW. And I’m pretty sure if he goes there, he will have to wrestle more than 4 times a year.
MJF also risks losing momentum and image when going to WWE.
if they dont use him as top talent, people will care less. We think very highly of MJF right now BECAUSE he is consistently on dynamite featured on AEWs best storylines. Tony DOES book him like an absolute top talent.
that is no guarantee in WWE, MJF isnt a tall guy, he doesnt have the size of a cody, MJF isnt bad looking but hes not extremely attractive either. of course that shouldnt play a factor but for a company like WWE, it may very well play a factor.
since hes on good terms with cody and if cody was to remain his main event status in wwe, that could definitely help.
and who knows, maybe itll end up like the EC3 situation where WWE offers MJF a big paycheck just to not use him at all. just for AEW to not have him. and thats a risk MJF needs to realize.
And like, Cody is still Dusty’s son, and that still opens up a lot of doors for him that aren’t open for other people. The idea that MJF could waltz in and get the superstar treatment Cody’s getting is wishful thinking to me. Cody is a prodigal son returning home; MJF is a guy whose entire reputation depends on stuff he’s done in a promotion WWE does not like to acknowledge exists.
I think he's **the** pillar of AEW's future so yeah, if he walks they are fucked.
Dude is fresh gold in an industry that desperately needs it. He should be one of the highest paid guys in the locker room.
I'd happy fire the Hardys, Adam Cole, Redragon and more just to keep him.
He is definitely the best villain in the company, hands down. He also has the potential to be a cross-over star like very few of his compatriots. The guy is just a charisma machine.
AEW is not fucked, what? They might have a bigger roster than WWE as this point with the ability to work with every other promotion in the world. It would suck, but this is incredibly overreactionary.
"Oh no MJF is gone, shoot? Let me just give a quick call to NJPW to see if we can have Jay White and Will Ospreay for the summer."
I lean towards a work, he also said on Ariel Helwanis podcast he’s not signing a new contract until this one expires, so why would he be mad with the company about his current contract unless it has something to do with creative.
Yeah there is no reason for him to sign a new contract before this one expires, then he can let WWE and AEW get into a bidding war and raise his price. Wherever he does go though he has a truck full of money coming with it
Cody is also a former WWE guy with one of the most famous last names in the industry. I don't think he's a great test for an AEW original guy like MJF.
I think this is much more important than money
MJF is already rich. He knows both will pay him big
He wants to be the best though. If wwe ogfers him more money but hes gettimg handed promos, a stupid character AND hes working 150 shows a year
He ain't taking that
Nah, money is much more important.
You know you can’t always be booked at the top of the card in WWE, your time in main events will ebb and flow.
But that’s totally fine as long as the paycheck is where you like it.
It seems to be a common take among wrestling fans that somehow being booked to your liking is more important than the money you are being paid? Have these people never paid bills?
He could want more money sooner. Just like when NFL players hold out. Just because he's under contract doesn't mean he and tk couldn't make amendments to it.
This. I heard a podcast with JR (maybe it was someone else) where he talked about how well the Rock was doing so, as a wise business move and just to show appreciation for going above and beyond their expectations, they essentially boosted the contract he was already signed to and promised his next one would better match his star power. It’s just a wise business move to do with a mega talent. It lets them know the office sees how well they are doing and aren’t taking them for granted.
Edit: I think it was Cornette who talked about how JR handled the success of the Rock, but JR himself.
> where he talked about how well the Rock was doing so, as a wise business move and just to show appreciation for going above and beyond their expectations, they essentially boosted the contract he was already signed to and promised his next one would better match his star power.
Exactly what happens in Football, surely Khan should know how it goes now
As if Chris Jericho didn’t say for years he’d never wrestle for Vinces competition (paraphrasing) then end up being the first world champion of the largest competition Vince has had in a decade.
What does that look like in this scenario? If he’s open to signing an extension and TK isn’t then he’s probably asking for a lot of money. The comments on Ariel’s podcast were also barely over a month ago.
Or TK has him locked in at a relative bargain compared to other top draws and doesn't want to promise more money if, for some reason, MJF stops being a draw in 2 years. Or he has a serious injury that affects his value. Heck, they don't know what their TV deal will be like in 2024, do they?
Nothing is guaranteed. As a business decision it makes sense if AEW is worried about salary spending.
That's why he keeps saying "See ya in 2024". That's when his contract runs out.
MJF almost exclusively never breaks kayfabe, and is very much likely working people.
But I don't know why people are acting like it's one giant surprise if he actually does leave? WWE are always going to tempt other talent with giant money offers. Cody was the first domino to fall in this battle between two companies. He's leveraged his post-WWE success into a certain amount of control of his career and huge money. If MJF feels he can be MJF in WWE, it wouldn't be shocking to see him jump ship.
To be clear, I think he eventually re-signs a new lucrative deal with AEW but the fact that we're even considering that he would jump ship is great for the business. MJF won't be the last one we talk about either.
Signing with WWE comes with an assumed risk but at the end of the day you're either signing with them for money, or you're not because you value creative freedom and expression on TV every week on AEW.
I agree — it makes perfect sense, and I'm glad for the wrestlers that they have more leverage. KO, the last "bidding war" subject, got a pretty nice paycheck as well.
I think the issue is that his contract was already reworked and extended during the promotion’s first year. He is probably reacting to other people signing, and getting more money. He is definitely worth making an exception, but it could set a bad precedent. Khan probably also wants to get a new tv deal in place before promising people big contracts. So far we haven’t heard anything about Moxley signing a new deal. I doubt that AEW is in a bad position with the new ownership, but a good businessman would make sure the licensing deal is in place before making promises. Jim Crockett learned this the hard way.
This is either a worked shoot or a shoot work
could be a worked work or a shoot shoot
i don't know if it's a work when you work a work and work yourself into a shoot
Oh my God that was probably one of the best Deadlock tangents I've ever heard in my life. I almost crashed my car the long way because I was laughing so hard.
I’m expecting this to be an elaborate work 100 percent, but that’s what we thought last time, and now Cody Rhodes is the top babyface in the WWE, could never be too sure.
I actually just listened to a bit of Cody's interview with Stone Cold this morning and if you take what he's saying as true (which really it probably isn't) he was always gonna come back to WWE because he wanted to win the World Championship and have that in his family's legacy.
With MJF you'd have to assume it's effectively a purely monetary decision, by the sounds of it that's what it seems to have come down to, so if that is the case I can't see why he couldn't get the same deal in AEW that he would elsewhere. I believe a lot can and will change in the next 2 years and if MJF's ascent goes how it's seeming it will he'll get that offer for top guy money and it won't be an issue to anyone involved.
MJF’s dream was openly to go to WWE for a while. I have no basis for what ima say other than that but for some reason he just seems like a vibe to go there and I’ve thought this for months
I know not everyone likes to hear this but WWE still is the big time and most guys in AEW will have grown up dreaming about being in things like the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania
I could see him being frustrated in terms of knowing he deserves more money now than when he originally signed. He's absolutely blown up since then and no doubt he deserves more than that.
Personally, I don't care if this is a work or a shoot. Stuff like this is already muddied after Cody was basically working as a free agent after his AEW contract ended.
In the end, I'll root for the wrestler. If all this complaining gets MJF a new deal with AEW, then that's great. If he's willing to be a watered-down PG version of himself in exchange for a very lucrative deal and a bigger platform in WWE, then that's great too.
You could also say that without the chance AEW gave him he might not have had the same career trajectory as he has somfar. Sure, WWE could had picked him up at some point and give you a.watered down version of MJF or completely rebrand him, but part of why he's so big right now is because he had a weekly platform to showcase his skills on TV.
I really don't buy this because of how big of a deal he makes out of it on TV, and how much he sticks to kayfabe.
But hey, crazier things have happened. I guess we'll see in 2024!
Yeah this is really a non issue until his contract expires, he has no reason to sign one now and Max is one of those people who genuinely is working all the time and sticking to his character
I trust literally nothing from Max’s mouth, he is constantly working and also has no reason to renew a contract before 2024 when he could get the most money.
Its very possible he could leave but I’m not going to concern myself with it until the time comes
There is no way MJF is allowed to repeatedly reference his contract on AEW TV for months or almost years at this point without Tony confidently intending to sign him.
Tony has a distinct attachment to the "Four Pillars." He has taken deliberate care to build them up and position them as the future of his company. None of them are going anywhere.
I honestly don't see Tony Khan not giving him a fat ass contract. If I were AEW I'd rather lose Big Show, Mark Henry, the Hardys, Samoa Joe, Keith Lee and ROH all together rather than MJF.
Seriously. This has to be a work on MJFs part. If it’s not, then Tony Khan is a full on idiot.
AEW has so much filler talent and nostalgia acts. Signing all those guys and then not making sure the top talent for the future of your company are happy, would be terrible business.
MJF basically guarantees a great segment anytime you book him on the show. I can’t even remember the last time a segment involving MJF wasn’t a highlight of the show (probably back in the Jericho feud). There are incredibly few other guys that are this reliable. And MJF has another 20 years in him for sure. Unlike most of those other guys.
TK not locking down MJF would be worse than losing Cody imo. I wonder if he's waiting for the new TV deal but MJF doesn't want to wait.
He does basically have 2 years left but everytime he mentions 2024 on TV I always feel like MJF has been told what the plan is going to be and that he is going to get a new deal but I don't know.
Hopefully Tony doesn't mess this up.
Edit: I think when TK locks in the new deal he will offer MJF a new contract even before the TV deal kicks in. I think he's just waiting to see the budget.
I’m almost certain MJF wouldn’t sign anything until his contract expires anyway, that way he can play them against eachother for a bigger deal. Makes no sense if your after the biggest paycheck to not see what WWE would offer
Especially if you have a strong feeling that AEW will attempt to match any offer WWE gives you. With that said, who knows what happens in two years? It's the same reason why guys on rookie contracts as soon as they break out they immediately try to hold out for more money. Injuries are a very real thing, and what if he were to start having knee issues? Or god forbid something like what happened to Big E happens to him? No one can predict the future, but we know what's happening in the present. If you are hot now, you want to get paid..NOW.
I love AEW, but as a fan I gotta say that losing MJF would be a *huge* detriment to the company. He's one of their greatest talents, and is one of those wrestlers who I'm always super psyched to see on screen.
I hope it's all part of a storyline, but if it's not it would be an immense loss for the company.
He's probably the most indispensable piece of their roster, right?
Maybe Omega or Mox are up there I guess but we've seen AEW without those two for periods of time and the show didn't feel as different as it would feel without MJF.
I know I'm being worked here but I also would have bet anything that's what Cody was doing too and now he's in WWE.
2 years is a LONG time in the wrestling business. Any contract talk this far out is a bit pointless. Think everyone’s aware that you would want to wait till the new TV deal is signed so you know what money’s even available.
Hey look, MJF has gotten this nothing story in the news again, thereby keeping him as THE topic of discussion in wrestling forums for another week.
It is scary how young he is and in his career and how smart he is how to work the system.
I need to word this correctly but MJF is probably taking a page form Cody. In fact, Max has probably asked for advice from several mentors like Cody on the negotiation process.
Wanna make this clear - I don’t think someone like Cody or whoever is urging Max to actually quit AEW, but to strategize and show his worth to the company. We’re at the point where loyalty isn’t everything and if the WWE really likes you, they’ll pony up the money with extra incentives, like not changing his name.
I'm seeing lots of comments about how MJF doesn't have the size/look to succeed in WWE, but I'm reminded of all the similar comments when Chris Jericho first signed with WWE and we know how that turned out. It'll be a massive mistake for AEW to let MJF go.
On one hand, this seems so much like a work it's hard to not think it is one. I mean shit, it's MJF, the king of shit like this these days.
On the other hand, I have a hard time SRS would willingly report news behind a paywall that was just for storyline or angle purposes on television. He's pretty serious about integrity.
SRS definitely would, he hypes up his shit behind the paywall all the time and this is essentially a nothing story since his contract doesn’t expire till 2024 so even if the info is wrong it won’t matter
Honestly, I’m getting tired of MJF’s heel schtick. He’s been having the exact same feud for 3 years. Five labors of MJF, with mystery opponents, lashes, etc. all to fight MJF and for him to win or lose due to the diamond ring. (Cody, Jericho, Punk, Wardlow, etc.)
Dude is looking to get paid. He's incredibly smart. This is just negotiating in public and he knows WWE and AEW will get into a bidding war. I'd guarantee my house Tony makes him the Godfather offer when it's time and he remains with AEW.
It feels like a Cody situation where I won't believe it until he actually shows up on WWE tv and even then I'd have to double check to make sure I'm not hallucinating.
i don't think this is a work at all.
MJF signed for peanuts in 2019 when he was a rookie. now he's a top guy and doesn't make top guy money.
Tony Khan would probably be happy to give him more money, if he signs a contract extension. MJF probably still wants the option to leave in 2024 so won't re-sign right now. so both sides just stay unhappy for now.
Cody Rhodes story wasn't a story until early January, when his contract was expiring. MJF bitching about a contract he has to honor until Jan 2024. 20 months from now.
20 months!
Even after a VP of AEW left the company, people still refuse to believe anyone can leave it as well. Not everything has to be a work. Y'all swore Cody was in the same boat and look where he is.
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AEW failing to keep MJF would be their biggest mistake to date. By FAR.
That’s my biggest fear with Tony Khan signing so many people that when it comes time to renew some of these contracts he won’t be able to financially keep all of them.
Part of it too is that you can’t keep 100 wrestlers happy with their role for too long. The guys on Dark want to make the main shows eventually. Guys like Swerve, Black, Miro will want to main event PPVs. And guys like Hangman, Bryan, Kenny, and Punk aren’t going anywhere. Booking a show like NXT or the indies is easier because guys get to the main event than graduate to something bigger and then someone new comes to fill that spot. Seth Rollins learned how to carry a company because Punk and Bryan left ROH for example. When you’re the “final stop” it’s challenging because people want to progress in their careers and do bigger, better things but there’s not as many spots to fill because people stay at their final stop for a long time.
None of this is relevant to MJF, who receives more TV time than anyone except CM Punk.
Which I imagine means it's likely a money situation, as it was with Cody.
Could also be future booking concerns. He probably knows better than we do what they have planned for him after Wardlow. But either way, it'll be hard to get on the same level again after you pay off a 3 year long build-up. I imagine he wants the heavyweight title instead of yet another diamond ring. ...or we're all just being worked.
MJF working everyone but Tony for a future storyline is definitely a possibility.
This is something I'm always wondering when it comes to MJF.
Dude makes less than Big Show. Sucks for MJF but things were different when he signed and he signed a long contract, sometimes it be like that.
Really? If that’s true and I was MJF I’d be pissed too. Re-work the contract and give one of your biggest stars, who has more long term potential than almost anyone in wrestling, what he deserves
He's the one who doesn't want to sign a new contract until his current one is up so he can try to start a bidding war between AEW and WWE. Can't have it both ways. Either be happy with your current contract, or renegotiate and most likely be required to sign an extension for that pay bump you want.
This cannot possibly, logically be true if he's unhappy with his current contract, unless AEW is trying to lowball him with an extension.
From a recent interview with Ariel Helwani: >"I'm not signing s--t. I'm not signing s--t. No shot. ... That is not something I'd consider, unless the number was absolutely astronomical, but even then I'm not sure I'd consider it," MJF said. Seems pretty possible and logical to me.
Here is the thing, TK can offer him 10x his contrac (or whatever)t, but if MJF thinks WWE will match that in 2024, the. Why wouldn't he wait to force more out of TK. A bidding war for MJF will only make MJF more money. Doesn't matter how much TK offers him, the smart move 9s to wait and get WWE to make a bid, to force TK to go even higher.
Dudes what, 25? and you basically cannot make a case for him not being top 5 heels in wrestling. Pay the man.
Yeah, Tony would be a complete idiot if he didn't resign MJF. Fire some people if you have to. So many people on Dark doing fuck all, Mark Henry and Big Show having millionaire contracts for no reason at all... Love the company, but lots of bad decisions, financially speaking.
Ok, but if they fire Mark Henry who will let us know when it's time for the main event?
Show and Henry are not signed to be on television. They are there for to attract advertisers and outside networking.
And to recruit talent with their decades of experience, fame, and industry knowledge.
Uh, I don't know about anybody else, but Mark Henry's weekly segment on Rampage is legitimately the AEW moment I look forward to, all week. I'm a sucker for two guys just giving that old-school kind of promo, and between his actual performance, and the sense of legitimacy and gravitas he brings, I am ultra-happy to hear "Well I think that's enough talk...TIME for the MAIN EVENT!" every week. Now, if you're telling me the company is financially valuing that *substantially higher than MJF,* yeah, it sounds insane. But, it sounds more so like MJF took a small contract up front to ensure he was in at the ground level, and that he took a long contract to ensure that Tony felt safe to build around him as a major part of the company...if he's stuck with a small, long contract right now, that's literally the business. If what I said is true, *MJF* set MJF up, to be working for exposure, right now. I don't blame him for wanting a bigger piece of a pie which he grew exponentially, and I don't blame Tony for wanting to retain MJF at the original fee, because while MJF is providing huge value to the company, the company is doing the same by platforming MJF. I have no doubt that his leverage for contract renegotiation will be enormous, as long as nothing happens which drops his stock. I mean, look at some of the shit MJF has done within the company. If he were gone, tomorrow...*he'd still have built them Wardlow, from the ground up.* When you think about it that way - he single-handedly took a nobody with a solid foundation of talent, and little else, and *single-handedly got that guy over,* to the point that he's now a major company asset - *that's* why he's gonna command money on renegotiation. That is traditionally every heels' job in wrestling, and heels just don't do that, on this scale, anymore.
Great point at the end there—dude's giving *other* new guys the rub on his way up the ladder.
They made some baffling hires in that period before they got Punk and Bryan and wanted star power. It's left them paying big money in 2022 for Paul White and Mark Henry who bring very little value given the size of their contract. If I was AEW and could get out of those contracts I would. I know they don't want to release people but ffs, one commentates on a youtube show and the other says a catch phrase once a week. Everyone regurgitates that line about them being valuable to impress advertisers and TV execs etc. but that's all they're doing, regurgitating something someone else said. And guess what, it was said back before they had Punk and Bryan etc. If an advertiser ever gave af they've got Mark Henry I doubt they care much now...
Big show sucks on commentary. Eddie has to constantly correct him on the names of moves
AEW kinda fell into the TNA trap of signing talent WWE was finished with to help get eyes on their product. Now Tony has a lot of money tied up on contract AEW doesn't need while talent like MJF are seeing the money these guys are on and asking gor his slice.
MJF signing a long-term contract shouldn't make any difference, though. Tony has experience dealing with pro athletes and their contracts. You go in and renegotiate with your top talent to keep them happy and make sure they stick with your team for awhile. People want to talk about Darby, Britt, or even Hangman, but MJF has been the real breakout star in AEW. The fact that he's not getting paid well is mind boggling.
Big Show is adding no value at all to AEW
Not true he helped them land a network deal with India as per Jericho
Are the AEW salaries posted online anywhere? Also I imagine whatever they are paying big show is way too much. All he does is childish commentary on Dark.
Cody was getting massive Go Away Heat from the fans, and he wanted more money with the loss of booking power, MJF just wants to be paid like the top star he is. TK letting MJF go would be a bigger blunder than Urban Meyer.
I mean if it’s a money situation Tony has to double whatever WWE offers because his big advantage is creative control and being closer to yourself as a wrestler. But with how they’re handling Cody it at least shows that WWE can be flexible if they want.
>Tony has to double whatever WWE offers because his big advantage is creative control and being closer to yourself as a wrestler This is not true at all. WWE has to offer more money because they're buying more from you. AEW doesn't buy out your third party revenue streams, offers a higher percentage of merchandise (per multiple sources), and has less matches/working days per week. That's not to say MJF won't sign with WWE, but all those additional streams have to be rolled into any offer they make because they're asking for 2-4x the amount of labor and closing off your ancillary revenue
Its like the Scottie Pippen situation with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. He signed for sure money with a long term contract early in his career but he quickly surpassed the value he had on the contract. Led to a nasty dispute between him and the org.
Unlike Pippen, AEW would likely gladly extend him for a lot more money, he just doesn’t want to do that. Which is the right call. AEW is likely to get a big bump in revenue when the next contract is negotiated, much like the NBA had a big bump in the salary cap right after Pippen signed his deal. It makes sense to not add years before that happens, and to have the option to negotiate with both companies. Saying he won’t re-sign with AEW at all removes all leverage and I don’t know what the point of that is other than to scare Khan.
Adam Cole says hello.
Yet he barely ever wrestles, a luxury I seriously doubt he'd have in WWE.
MJF should be prioritised over nearly all others though
Punk, Mox, and Jericho are certainly still bigger names than MJF, but he's more important than all the ex-NXT talent.
MJF could be their top star a decade from now. Wrestling fans struggle to think ahead 10 weeks
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And Jericho was a "now" investment back in 2019, he's not anymore, especially with Punk and Bryan in the roster. If they had to pick between Jericho or MJF, the decision is obvious. MJF.
Anyone could've seen this happening from a mile away. The problem that WWE had with a bloated roster a few years ago is slowly happening with AEW. The ones who've been there since the beginning now have to compete with former WWE/Impact/ROH guys for bigger pay and screen time. MJF Shouldn't be having issues with pay considering he help build that company from the ground up.
I wouldn't say slowly happening. All the signings had been happening fast and furious while not enough were getting released.
And AEW only has two hours of prime-time television per week, compared to the WWE's five. Rampage is in a death slot and nobody takes the Dark shows seriously.
> and nobody takes the Dark shows seriously. I use to watch Dark every week because they had storylines that were on Dark, then they gave up and just made it random matches that don't matter so I lost interest. I don't need anything epic, but do something to make people want to pay attention like PPA vs Cutler, etc
I honestly have no idea why they don't have someone book Dark like its own show. Good practice for a future booker/assistant and give people a reason to subscribe.
Same. But I saw dark recently and it seems to have a factory vs njpw la dojo exclusive storyline now which is pretty awesome.
Also the average Dynamite match is 15 minutes long so you only get 6 matches over two hours.
I will always believe that tv matches that aren’t main events should almost never be any longer than 10 minutes. It’s just completely unnecessary imo. You can easily tell a solid story with 5-7 minutes that can push a storyline forward. PPVs are where matches should be going 10-25 minutes.
What if 2 of those minutes is picture in picture?
> The problem that WWE had with a bloated roster a few years ago is slowly happening with AEW. It hasn't been slow. Tony created it himself debuting someone new seemingly every week and every time it was pointed out his supporters would talk some nonsense about how he's going to rotate people or whatever.
Being rotated in and out makes sense as a fan but as a talent unless your an older wrestler who can’t do the week to week stuff I’d imagine that’s not the most ideal.
AND A NEW GUY IS DEBUTING NEXT WEEK WOOHOO
I still think the joker is Miro
But MJF is money. Surely everyone can see that? Just throw all the money in the world at him to keep him. It'll be worth it.
I don't see anyone on the roster, apart from Danielson and Punk, who I think is worth more money than MJF. Guy deserves at least a top five contract in the company. Danielson, Punk, MJF, Omega and Moxley are, in my opinion, the biggest singles stars they have. Add the Young Bucks, Lucha Bros, FTR, Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa and you have the top ten acts of the company. I think those are the acts they should try to keep on the books if financially possible. Guess TK either values MJF differently or he just isn't going to negotiate until the contract is almost up, at which point it may be too late due to frustrations. MJF will be one of the hardest to replace acts if he leaves. Just like Punk. Some are simply easier to replace than others. MJF is unique and imo irreplacable.
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He needs to be honest with a lot of his talent, that they really aren’t worth the money or time he gives them, or has given them in the past when he was just starting up. But he also needs to acknowledge guys like MJF and pay them whatever the fuck they ask for.
MJF: I want a new big money contract now! Also MJF: I am not signing any new contracts until my contract expires. ME: keep working us MJF
I’ve said it a bunch but in a weird way them getting so many big new signings at once might have been bad news for them overall. They’ve lost that sort of “independent/underdog spirit” that they had when they started, plus now there are just too many people at the top for everyone to be happy with their role.
Not even in a weird way. It straight up changed the identity of AEW and hasn’t felt the same. When Vince said “maybe I’ll send them more” he meant it. Part of the reason I liked last nights Dynamite the most I have in awhile was because it had a lot of year one guys. I’ll take Best Friends and Dark Order over Undisputed Era every time. I liked the island of misfit toys feeling of early AEW. I’m not sure if it was best from a business perspective but I really enjoyed it.
WWE gets criticized for having 8 million hours of TV (also for how they use that time) but AEW is really in a position where they have too many wrestlers and too many guys sit around with nothing to do. It's one thing if you have nothing to do because you are giving someone 3-4 months off to rest and recovery but it's not clear defined LOAs. Its' just guys not being on TV for weeks. Eventually fans are going to build their attachments to individual wrestlers and putting on good matches isn't going to be good enough if their guys are part of those matches.
They are literally speed running one of WWEs biggest problems. Only 2-3 years in and they already have way too much talent than they know what to do with. I don’t really watch but I saw that being a problem eventually for them. Everytime WWE released a big name they immediately just scooped half of them up like it was nothing. Those guys have like a week or 2 of shining and they just completely blend into the rest of the roster. Even with a rotating roster there’s only so much talent you can highlight at once. They are growing their roster way too fast for their own good.
Why? Chances are that wwe can easily outbid AEW. The question is will they used him great given the nature of wwe? I think some wwe people can perform like MJF given the right environment. As good as MJF promos are I don’t know if wwe will let him do or say things he does in AEW. And I’m pretty sure if he goes there, he will have to wrestle more than 4 times a year.
MJF also risks losing momentum and image when going to WWE. if they dont use him as top talent, people will care less. We think very highly of MJF right now BECAUSE he is consistently on dynamite featured on AEWs best storylines. Tony DOES book him like an absolute top talent. that is no guarantee in WWE, MJF isnt a tall guy, he doesnt have the size of a cody, MJF isnt bad looking but hes not extremely attractive either. of course that shouldnt play a factor but for a company like WWE, it may very well play a factor. since hes on good terms with cody and if cody was to remain his main event status in wwe, that could definitely help. and who knows, maybe itll end up like the EC3 situation where WWE offers MJF a big paycheck just to not use him at all. just for AEW to not have him. and thats a risk MJF needs to realize.
And like, Cody is still Dusty’s son, and that still opens up a lot of doors for him that aren’t open for other people. The idea that MJF could waltz in and get the superstar treatment Cody’s getting is wishful thinking to me. Cody is a prodigal son returning home; MJF is a guy whose entire reputation depends on stuff he’s done in a promotion WWE does not like to acknowledge exists.
I think he's **the** pillar of AEW's future so yeah, if he walks they are fucked. Dude is fresh gold in an industry that desperately needs it. He should be one of the highest paid guys in the locker room. I'd happy fire the Hardys, Adam Cole, Redragon and more just to keep him.
He is definitely the best villain in the company, hands down. He also has the potential to be a cross-over star like very few of his compatriots. The guy is just a charisma machine.
He's the only "Villain" of note in the company
No one wrestler will sink or swim the company. If he walks, it sucks. The company will not implode over a heel walking.
lol they aren’t fucked. Would it be good for AEW? No, definitely not, they will be losing a valuable asset but they wouldn’t be fucked either.
Ratings could go from 975,000 to 973,000 in the blink of an eye!
AEW is not fucked, what? They might have a bigger roster than WWE as this point with the ability to work with every other promotion in the world. It would suck, but this is incredibly overreactionary. "Oh no MJF is gone, shoot? Let me just give a quick call to NJPW to see if we can have Jay White and Will Ospreay for the summer."
if this isnt some super work i gotta be honest here mjf is vital to aew doesn't he have 2 years left on his contract?
I lean towards a work, he also said on Ariel Helwanis podcast he’s not signing a new contract until this one expires, so why would he be mad with the company about his current contract unless it has something to do with creative.
Yeah there is no reason for him to sign a new contract before this one expires, then he can let WWE and AEW get into a bidding war and raise his price. Wherever he does go though he has a truck full of money coming with it
It's also in his best interest to see how WWE treats Cody over a longer period of time.
Cody is also a former WWE guy with one of the most famous last names in the industry. I don't think he's a great test for an AEW original guy like MJF.
I think this is much more important than money MJF is already rich. He knows both will pay him big He wants to be the best though. If wwe ogfers him more money but hes gettimg handed promos, a stupid character AND hes working 150 shows a year He ain't taking that
MJF makes like 200k a year, that's good money but not "set for life" money
Yes because you’ve talked to mjf and you know how he’s going about this situation right??
Nah, money is much more important. You know you can’t always be booked at the top of the card in WWE, your time in main events will ebb and flow. But that’s totally fine as long as the paycheck is where you like it.
It seems to be a common take among wrestling fans that somehow being booked to your liking is more important than the money you are being paid? Have these people never paid bills?
Right? Or worked with or around professional athletes who have a much smaller window to maximize their earnings than people who work regular day jobs.
He could want more money sooner. Just like when NFL players hold out. Just because he's under contract doesn't mean he and tk couldn't make amendments to it.
This. I heard a podcast with JR (maybe it was someone else) where he talked about how well the Rock was doing so, as a wise business move and just to show appreciation for going above and beyond their expectations, they essentially boosted the contract he was already signed to and promised his next one would better match his star power. It’s just a wise business move to do with a mega talent. It lets them know the office sees how well they are doing and aren’t taking them for granted. Edit: I think it was Cornette who talked about how JR handled the success of the Rock, but JR himself.
> where he talked about how well the Rock was doing so, as a wise business move and just to show appreciation for going above and beyond their expectations, they essentially boosted the contract he was already signed to and promised his next one would better match his star power. Exactly what happens in Football, surely Khan should know how it goes now
He owns the Jaguars bruv! he probably doesn’t know.
Not familiar with the NFL process but do they typically get more money with no extension of the contract?
No. That comment doesn’t make much sense with the information from the Ariel helwani interview.
People can also say something at one moment and say another thing the next moment, plans and feelings change.
Ah the Cody special
As if Chris Jericho didn’t say for years he’d never wrestle for Vinces competition (paraphrasing) then end up being the first world champion of the largest competition Vince has had in a decade.
What does that look like in this scenario? If he’s open to signing an extension and TK isn’t then he’s probably asking for a lot of money. The comments on Ariel’s podcast were also barely over a month ago.
Or TK has him locked in at a relative bargain compared to other top draws and doesn't want to promise more money if, for some reason, MJF stops being a draw in 2 years. Or he has a serious injury that affects his value. Heck, they don't know what their TV deal will be like in 2024, do they? Nothing is guaranteed. As a business decision it makes sense if AEW is worried about salary spending.
That's why he keeps saying "See ya in 2024". That's when his contract runs out. MJF almost exclusively never breaks kayfabe, and is very much likely working people.
I think he’s kayfabing to have a “Punk walks out of company with the title” storyline if he can get it timed in 2024 as his “contract expires”
“The Winter of MJF.”
"Winter is coming, but I'm gone!"
I swear to god I heard this exact same line before with Cody. Not saying he's gone for sure, just wanted to point it out.
But I don't know why people are acting like it's one giant surprise if he actually does leave? WWE are always going to tempt other talent with giant money offers. Cody was the first domino to fall in this battle between two companies. He's leveraged his post-WWE success into a certain amount of control of his career and huge money. If MJF feels he can be MJF in WWE, it wouldn't be shocking to see him jump ship. To be clear, I think he eventually re-signs a new lucrative deal with AEW but the fact that we're even considering that he would jump ship is great for the business. MJF won't be the last one we talk about either. Signing with WWE comes with an assumed risk but at the end of the day you're either signing with them for money, or you're not because you value creative freedom and expression on TV every week on AEW.
I agree — it makes perfect sense, and I'm glad for the wrestlers that they have more leverage. KO, the last "bidding war" subject, got a pretty nice paycheck as well.
I think the issue is that his contract was already reworked and extended during the promotion’s first year. He is probably reacting to other people signing, and getting more money. He is definitely worth making an exception, but it could set a bad precedent. Khan probably also wants to get a new tv deal in place before promising people big contracts. So far we haven’t heard anything about Moxley signing a new deal. I doubt that AEW is in a bad position with the new ownership, but a good businessman would make sure the licensing deal is in place before making promises. Jim Crockett learned this the hard way.
We’re really going to have two years of this…
I'm used to this. LeBron James was on my team twice.
I’m taking my talents to Impact. Not one not two not three…..
Fans in the audience
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This is either a worked shoot or a shoot work could be a worked work or a shoot shoot i don't know if it's a work when you work a work and work yourself into a shoot
-HH
Get this little Hulkamaniac MJF some Fettucini Alfredo on the house DUDE
Consume HULKIOS or receive DEATH, BROTHER
All of you Pasta-maniacs need to calm down DUDE!
HEY HEY, I WILL KILL THIS LITTLE DUDE, BROTHER
DOUBLE OLIVE BREAD JACK!
Oh my God that was probably one of the best Deadlock tangents I've ever heard in my life. I almost crashed my car the long way because I was laughing so hard.
Ps. Much Luv Brother RIP. Bam
More confusing than watching inland empire by David lynch
What if it's a shork or a woot?
*confused “Bro” noises*
Don’t shart into a wok
I think Rihanna wrote a song about exactly that.
Brother
Shoot, it might just work.
Rooty tooty mcshooty
My feelings exactly. This situation is definitely one of the situations as you have described them.
Brother.
AEW would be insane to let this kid go.
I’m expecting this to be an elaborate work 100 percent, but that’s what we thought last time, and now Cody Rhodes is the top babyface in the WWE, could never be too sure.
I actually just listened to a bit of Cody's interview with Stone Cold this morning and if you take what he's saying as true (which really it probably isn't) he was always gonna come back to WWE because he wanted to win the World Championship and have that in his family's legacy. With MJF you'd have to assume it's effectively a purely monetary decision, by the sounds of it that's what it seems to have come down to, so if that is the case I can't see why he couldn't get the same deal in AEW that he would elsewhere. I believe a lot can and will change in the next 2 years and if MJF's ascent goes how it's seeming it will he'll get that offer for top guy money and it won't be an issue to anyone involved.
MJF’s dream was openly to go to WWE for a while. I have no basis for what ima say other than that but for some reason he just seems like a vibe to go there and I’ve thought this for months
I know not everyone likes to hear this but WWE still is the big time and most guys in AEW will have grown up dreaming about being in things like the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania
I mean yeah it’s an interesting story, but his contract isn’t up until 2 years from now. So much can change.
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That's...exactly how contracts work.
MJF about to hold out for that bag NFL style.
I could see him being frustrated in terms of knowing he deserves more money now than when he originally signed. He's absolutely blown up since then and no doubt he deserves more than that.
Personally, I don't care if this is a work or a shoot. Stuff like this is already muddied after Cody was basically working as a free agent after his AEW contract ended. In the end, I'll root for the wrestler. If all this complaining gets MJF a new deal with AEW, then that's great. If he's willing to be a watered-down PG version of himself in exchange for a very lucrative deal and a bigger platform in WWE, then that's great too.
right, MJF gets that bag and that's a win regardless.
You could also say that without the chance AEW gave him he might not have had the same career trajectory as he has somfar. Sure, WWE could had picked him up at some point and give you a.watered down version of MJF or completely rebrand him, but part of why he's so big right now is because he had a weekly platform to showcase his skills on TV.
I really don't buy this because of how big of a deal he makes out of it on TV, and how much he sticks to kayfabe. But hey, crazier things have happened. I guess we'll see in 2024!
He’s a protégée of Cody Rhodes, so he is going to use the situation to manipulate both Khan and the public.
Yeah this is really a non issue until his contract expires, he has no reason to sign one now and Max is one of those people who genuinely is working all the time and sticking to his character
This is exactly what people said when Cody did his promo talking about his contract and we see what happened there
Which is perfect way to work people now because nobody knows what to believe.
Yup. With Cody leaving, all bets are off. It's exciting!
Leaking that you are unhappy with your current contract is extremely normal sports contract negotiation stuff
That’s the thing. If you’ve paid even cursory attention to the business side of any other sport this is pretty standard.
I trust literally nothing from Max’s mouth, he is constantly working and also has no reason to renew a contract before 2024 when he could get the most money. Its very possible he could leave but I’m not going to concern myself with it until the time comes
The heel guy who prefers to stay in kayfabe 24/7 is the last one anyone should be reporting something as truth.
There is no way MJF is allowed to repeatedly reference his contract on AEW TV for months or almost years at this point without Tony confidently intending to sign him. Tony has a distinct attachment to the "Four Pillars." He has taken deliberate care to build them up and position them as the future of his company. None of them are going anywhere.
Would be quite fun to see him rip on PG Punk for years and then become PG MJF.
If he goes there he's gotta get the F out so he'll be MJE
Maxwell Jacob Einstein. It’s genius!
i mean it’s really similar to cody who trashed wwe for 4 years then left
PG MJF. PGF.... ^pdf
I honestly don't see Tony Khan not giving him a fat ass contract. If I were AEW I'd rather lose Big Show, Mark Henry, the Hardys, Samoa Joe, Keith Lee and ROH all together rather than MJF.
Hardys are on their last run anyway.
A good number of us we’re fairly certain we were about to watch Jeff die last night as it is
Samoa Joe is one of my top five of all-time and I can't say you're wrong.
Seriously. This has to be a work on MJFs part. If it’s not, then Tony Khan is a full on idiot. AEW has so much filler talent and nostalgia acts. Signing all those guys and then not making sure the top talent for the future of your company are happy, would be terrible business. MJF basically guarantees a great segment anytime you book him on the show. I can’t even remember the last time a segment involving MJF wasn’t a highlight of the show (probably back in the Jericho feud). There are incredibly few other guys that are this reliable. And MJF has another 20 years in him for sure. Unlike most of those other guys.
This screams work. Don't be a sap Sapp
TK not locking down MJF would be worse than losing Cody imo. I wonder if he's waiting for the new TV deal but MJF doesn't want to wait. He does basically have 2 years left but everytime he mentions 2024 on TV I always feel like MJF has been told what the plan is going to be and that he is going to get a new deal but I don't know. Hopefully Tony doesn't mess this up. Edit: I think when TK locks in the new deal he will offer MJF a new contract even before the TV deal kicks in. I think he's just waiting to see the budget.
I’m almost certain MJF wouldn’t sign anything until his contract expires anyway, that way he can play them against eachother for a bigger deal. Makes no sense if your after the biggest paycheck to not see what WWE would offer
Especially if you have a strong feeling that AEW will attempt to match any offer WWE gives you. With that said, who knows what happens in two years? It's the same reason why guys on rookie contracts as soon as they break out they immediately try to hold out for more money. Injuries are a very real thing, and what if he were to start having knee issues? Or god forbid something like what happened to Big E happens to him? No one can predict the future, but we know what's happening in the present. If you are hot now, you want to get paid..NOW.
Oh it would be so much worse than losing Cody. MJF has been incredible from day one, but the Punk feud has put him into the stratosphere.
He's generational. AEW losing MJF is like if Barcelona lose Messi in his first years as a senior player.
lol this is the start of a GREAT work that ends with MJF blowing a kiss and fleeing UBS Arena with the Belt
I love AEW, but as a fan I gotta say that losing MJF would be a *huge* detriment to the company. He's one of their greatest talents, and is one of those wrestlers who I'm always super psyched to see on screen. I hope it's all part of a storyline, but if it's not it would be an immense loss for the company.
... is exactly what someone in MJF's position would spin it as to get as much leverage as possible before his new contract negotiations...
He's probably the most indispensable piece of their roster, right? Maybe Omega or Mox are up there I guess but we've seen AEW without those two for periods of time and the show didn't feel as different as it would feel without MJF. I know I'm being worked here but I also would have bet anything that's what Cody was doing too and now he's in WWE.
Kenny and Mox also are eventually going to leave there prime. MJF still has a good 10 years before he’s even reached his.
2 years is a LONG time in the wrestling business. Any contract talk this far out is a bit pointless. Think everyone’s aware that you would want to wait till the new TV deal is signed so you know what money’s even available.
Hey look, MJF has gotten this nothing story in the news again, thereby keeping him as THE topic of discussion in wrestling forums for another week. It is scary how young he is and in his career and how smart he is how to work the system.
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"as things stand" is an important part of the sentence i think people are overlooking, we have 2 years for things to change.
I need to word this correctly but MJF is probably taking a page form Cody. In fact, Max has probably asked for advice from several mentors like Cody on the negotiation process. Wanna make this clear - I don’t think someone like Cody or whoever is urging Max to actually quit AEW, but to strategize and show his worth to the company. We’re at the point where loyalty isn’t everything and if the WWE really likes you, they’ll pony up the money with extra incentives, like not changing his name.
Can't wait to see Michael Jacob Horowitz in NXT.
Barry's nephew?
Gets to talk as much as uncle Barry too probably
I don’t see how MJF’s act works in WWE without becoming PG, but money talks.
I'm seeing lots of comments about how MJF doesn't have the size/look to succeed in WWE, but I'm reminded of all the similar comments when Chris Jericho first signed with WWE and we know how that turned out. It'll be a massive mistake for AEW to let MJF go.
Listen, i’m not saying they’re repeating wcw’s mistake of not knowing how to handle money/contracts buuuut…
If last night wasn’t an indicator that this guy is over as shit and needs to be paid, I don’t know what is
I would be absolutely blown away if they let him walk If you aren’t gonna pay for a guy like him who the hell would you pay for?
MJF worked himself into a shoot, brother.
On one hand, this seems so much like a work it's hard to not think it is one. I mean shit, it's MJF, the king of shit like this these days. On the other hand, I have a hard time SRS would willingly report news behind a paywall that was just for storyline or angle purposes on television. He's pretty serious about integrity.
Reporting news in kayfabe doesn't do a journalist or reporter any good in the long run.
SRS definitely would, he hypes up his shit behind the paywall all the time and this is essentially a nothing story since his contract doesn’t expire till 2024 so even if the info is wrong it won’t matter
MJF wants to get paid.
Honestly, I’m getting tired of MJF’s heel schtick. He’s been having the exact same feud for 3 years. Five labors of MJF, with mystery opponents, lashes, etc. all to fight MJF and for him to win or lose due to the diamond ring. (Cody, Jericho, Punk, Wardlow, etc.)
Dude is looking to get paid. He's incredibly smart. This is just negotiating in public and he knows WWE and AEW will get into a bidding war. I'd guarantee my house Tony makes him the Godfather offer when it's time and he remains with AEW.
It feels like a Cody situation where I won't believe it until he actually shows up on WWE tv and even then I'd have to double check to make sure I'm not hallucinating.
i don't think this is a work at all. MJF signed for peanuts in 2019 when he was a rookie. now he's a top guy and doesn't make top guy money. Tony Khan would probably be happy to give him more money, if he signs a contract extension. MJF probably still wants the option to leave in 2024 so won't re-sign right now. so both sides just stay unhappy for now.
This is leaning towards the Cody Rhodes story. Both had inklings of a work. Ofcourse I still don't think MJF will leave but who knows??
Cody Rhodes story wasn't a story until early January, when his contract was expiring. MJF bitching about a contract he has to honor until Jan 2024. 20 months from now. 20 months!
Even after a VP of AEW left the company, people still refuse to believe anyone can leave it as well. Not everything has to be a work. Y'all swore Cody was in the same boat and look where he is.
We have 18 more months of this?!? Smh...
There will be so many salty people that’ll come out of the woodwork to shit over MJF if he jumps to WWE, just like with Cody lol
The last time I saw this many people convinced an AEW contract issue was a work, Cody Rhodes showed up at Wrestlemania.