5 things you didn't know about AEW Star MJF

#4 MJF could have had a career in football

MJF was a footballer in high school and, at one point, wanted to pursue his career in the sport. While he didn't end up playing football (NFL) professionally, he was considered a good footballer during that time.

Much of his in-ring athleticism is attributed to the passion he had for the game.

In an October 2nd, 2019 edition of the Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz podcast, MJF revealed:

"You know it's so funny. I wanted to play in the NFL just so I would be more appealing to WWE because there was no AEW at that point. So, in my head I was, like, “OK, I'm going to be the best middle linebacker in college sports, then I'm going to go play in the NFL for like a year or two and I'll be famous. I'll call Vince McMahon on his cell phone and say, ‘Hey, book me.’ So that was my game plan," said MJF.

"But once I got to that college, I immediately felt it in my bones… I've always had like the sixth sense. I'm very good at reading people, I'm very good at reading situations, and I just knew I wasn't supposed to be there. I remember calling my parents being, like, “Hey I'm going to come home.” And them laughing at me, like, “No, you're not going anywhere.” So when I did come home, it was definitely not easy, but they understood the sincerity in my voice and my face that I knew what I wanted to do. I didn't want to waste away four years playing college football at the prospect of playing in the NFL so I can get noticed for wrestling when I could just literally start doing professional wrestling. And that's what I did for four years until I got signed to AEW," added MJF.

#3 Roddy 'Rowdy' Piper has been MJF's inspiration

MJF is not only a gifted in-ring competitor but also great with his heel-cutting promos that suit his kayfabe character. Any promo that he does guarantees an audience response, hence, it's no surprise that the man he idealized was none other than the late Roddy 'Rowdy' Piper.

Hot Rod was himself one of the best promo cutters in WWE with his talk show The Pipers Pit. The reaction he got from fans was always second to none.

MJF was inspired by Hot Rod's antics while speaking, which is one of the reasons that promos have become such a big part of the 25-year-old's career.