The 5 most memorable MJF promos in AEW

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF, is a student of the game that has everything it takes to be an all-time great. He is a skilled technician in the ring and steps up in the big moments.

The Pinnacle leader has also proven to be a ratings draw and a compelling character, but above all else, is exceptional ability to talk makes him one of the best in the world.

Almost every MJF promo is an incredible piece of business. He has a unique ability to cut diatribes that get under the skin of the fans. Whenever the 25-year-old has something to sink his teeth into, he is able to invest the fanbase into the issue and the rivalry at hand.

AEW has no one quite like Maxwell Jacob Friedman. He has all the tools to be a bonafide megastar that no one will stop from getting straight to the mountaintop of the industry.

From forming his own stable to staking his claim for the world title, he knows how to leave a mark with his words.

In this article, let's take a look at five memorable MJF promos in AEW.

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#5 In our list of the most memorable MJF promos in AEW - You Deserve Better (Dynamite 7/29/20)

The pandemic presented a snag for many stars of All Elite Wrestling in 2020. Maxwell Jacob Friedman was just one of many who seemed on the brink of superstardom but had to take on a diminished role due to the circumstances. However, Friedman used his victory over Jungle Boy at Double Or Nothing 2020 and an impressive win-loss record to claim the top spot in the rankings.

With the AEW World Championship in sight, MJF proclaimed himself the rightful owner of the top prize. In doing so, he held a podium speech to let the fans know that they deserve better. This promo opened many eyes to the potential of Friedman as the top heel of the company.

There was no denying after this promo that AEW saw Maxwell as a future headliner. The speech set the stage for MJF to challenge for the title in his first pay-per-view main event against Jon Moxley at AEW All Out 2020.

Although he lost, this program solidified what was to come. It all started with this signature promo.

#4 MJF reveals why he turned on Cody and meets Chris Jericho (AEW Dynamite 11/13/19)

At AEW Full Gear 2019, MJF betrayed his mentor Cody Rhodes by first costing him the AEW World Championship and then delivering a low blow. Maxwell Jacob Friedman truly arrived in All Elite Wrestling on the first Dynamite following the pay-per-view.

He cut a memorable promo about how Cody used him, not the other way around. Friedman had the fans in the palm of his hand as he broke down Rhodes and his entire presentation.

To put the cherry on top, Chris Jericho came down and had a tremendous back and forth with Maxwell. This also foreshadowed what has become MJF's longest and most memorable rivalry so far.

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#3 MJF betrays the Inner Circle to create The Pinnacle (AEW Dynamite 3/11/21)

When Maxwell Jacob Friedman expressed desire to join the Inner Circle, many fans thought something fishy was going down. Friedman believed that to be successful in AEW, you had to be a stable.

He joined the most intimidating stable of them all in the Chris Jericho-led Inner Circle. Maxwell's effect on the group led to Sammy Guevara quitting and resentment growing.

However, it was a ruse all along. MJF just used Jericho to learn how to create his own faction. So when the Inner Circle finally saw through the self-proclaimed Face of AEW, he was ready for it. The lights went out. Back on, Shawn Spears, Wardlow, and FTR were in the ring to attack Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana, and Ortiz.

It was a brutal beatdown that firmly established this new faction as a force to be reckoned with. The group would become known as the Pinnacle and led to months of battles between members of the two stables.

This was a promo, moment, and betrayal that changed the course of All Elite Wrestling.

#2 MJF and CM Punk go head-to-head on the mic for the first time (AEW Dynamite 11/24/21)

When MJF was interrupted by CM Punk on the post-Full Gear 2021 edition of AEW Dynamite, many fans were excited about a feud that had been desired since the Voice of the Voiceless signed with All Elite Wrestling. It was the perfect match of personalities. It was a despicable young upstart versus a confident and experienced veteran.

What fans learned when these two individuals finally went at it on the microphone was that this was a student vs. teacher battle. While Maxwell Jacob Friedman was a fan of CM Punk and feels like he has exceeded his former hero, Punk feels like Friedman is too cocky for someone who can't get the job done on his own.

The one-liners and memorable quotes are in abundance here. Both men held nothing back in a promo battle for the ages.

The fact that this happened in Chicago set the stage for the eventual first meeting back in Punk's hometown. The best part here is that the Pinnacle leader more than held his own, with some fans believing he got the better of this battle.

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#1 MJF comes to tears telling why CM Punk created the monster he has become (AEW Dynamite 2/23/22)

Just as some fans and pundits felt like MJF and CM Punk hit their peak with their initial promo exchange, Maxwell Jacob Friedman gave the audience an epic promo that will be remembered for years to come.

After Punk chose a Dog Collar Match for their rematch at AEW Revolution and displayed a photo of a young Friedman with him, the usually talkative Maxwell was left speechless.

The following week, he came out and was humbled. Friedman told a story of the day the picture was taken in 2007. Maxwell told fans that he dealt with ADD and was bullied as well as racially abused, but meeting Punk helped him through that difficult time. However, the Second City Saint's sudden departure from the business broke Max's heart.

After finding inspiration, Maxwell Jacob Friedman set out to become better than the Best In The World and not quit. He brought it back to the Dog Collar Match at AEW Revolution, proclaiming that he wouldn't quit regardless of bleeding buckets.

Finally, letting everyone know if he quits, Friedman is no better than Punk and who he is. Punk's arrival and shock reaction added the cherry on top here.

It was an iconic promo that felt like a monolog that explained the motive of the evil villain. For three years, the AEW fanbase has hated Maxwell Jacob Friedman for being rude, crude, and an absolute jerk to everyone and anyone. However, they never knew why he was this way. Now, everyone knows, and it makes him that much more captivating.

The CM Punk feud will be looked back on for years to come regardless of where Friedman ends up. Although he has feuded with the likes of Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley, this feels like the most important rivalry of his career.

This promo felt just as meaningful. That's why his tearful origin story is the most memorable MJF promo in AEW.

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Which one do you think is MJF's best promo in AEW? Let us know in the comments below.