MJF stunned everyone on the June 1, 2022, edition of AEW Dynamite, demanding his release and calling Tony Khan "a f***ing mark." This sent shock waves worldwide as The Salt of the Earth claimed that Tony Khan is more invested in opening his checkbook for ex-WWE guys. Friedman has been absent from TV since.
Appearing on “The Hall of Fame Podcast,” Booker T weighed in on older performers getting more propulsion in contrast to younger ones. He used Darby Allin as an example:
"You see the older guys just coming over to AEW, they’re the ones that’s getting the titles, they’re the ones that’s getting the push, you know what I mean? Just like a Darby Allin, you know, where has his position been since the older guys came in?” - said Booker T. (H/T: Wrestling Inc)
The six-time world champion further dissected Friedman's recent tussle with All Elite Wrestling, probably stemming from the afore-mentioned situation:
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"It’s the reason why we haven’t seen MJF for a while,” Booker added. "It’s the reason why no one has said his name, okay? It’s the reason — Okay, and it’s not because this is a work. That’s not it, okay? It’s because somebody’s upset that older guys are coming in and getting pushed over the younger guys. Is it a work? We’ll find out in the long run.”
A closer look at All Elite Wrestling programming over the last couple of years falls in tune with what Booker has stated.
Booker T believes only time will reveal whether the MJF-AEW situation is a work or not
After losing to Wardlow at Double or Nothing, The Salt of Earth delivered a fiery pipe bomb promo that blurred the line between reality and storyline. Maxwell Jacob Friedman took the pro-wrestling realm by storm with his blistering promo directed towards AEW president Tony Khan.
Speaking earlier on the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T decoded the buzz and mystery surrounding MJF's issues with All Elite Wrestling:
"I said that maybe it started out as a work. Maybe it turned into something else. Something like that for me that's why just seems odd... it seems odd. To the point where it has such a real feel to it. Let's just say that. You know, we will find out in the end it's real or not."
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Recent reports have claimed that MJF was "heavily discussed" backstage. AEW fans are quite eager to learn his whereabouts and what lies ahead for him.