MJF confesses he hates top AEW star - "We don't agree on anything"

MJF is an AEW Original. Despite the constant heel antics, the multi-time champion is widely praised by many and cheered by fans. This sentiment seemingly does not carry over to the AEW locker room, and now the man himself is using some harsh language to describe how he feels about one of the biggest names in the company.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman was the AEW World Champion at the end of 2023 when he took time off following a loss to Samoa Joe. The 28-year-old returned from injury in late May, and while he's battled Rush and Hechicero in recent weeks, MJF still has his eye on the promotion's top title. The World Championship is currently held by Swerve Strickland, who retained over International Champion Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door on Sunday.

The Salt Of The Earth spoke with Busted Open Radio just a few hours before Forbidden Door began. MJF spoke on why he did not immediately challenge for the AEW World Championship upon returning, and despite praising Swerve, he also declared his hate for the 13-year veteran. He also shared his thoughts on Ospreay:

"I know how to pick my spots. Right now is not the time, I know when the time is... right now it's not. Swerve is on a God d**n roll. I don't like him... actually I'd go as far as to say I hate him. We don't agree on anything. We look at professional wrestling in entirely different ways. I'd go ahead to say I actually have more disdain for Ospreay than I do for him... but what I will say is this: I feel bad for Will Ospreay tonight. I have never seen a guy more locked in than Shane Strickland is, right now. Sorry, 'Swerve'... than Swerve is right now. The guy is absolutely locked in," MJF said.

He continued:

"He's next level right now... and do I want to deal with him at the moment, when he's 100%, and I am still healing from a shoulder injury? Do you think that's bright? I'm a man that picks my spots. Everybody else in this company is dumb. I'll explain why: Everybody in this company works hard... working hard is for suckers, it's stupid. I work smart, I pick my spots. That title will be around my waist again because I'm the best professional wrestler in the world, and the reason I'm the best professional wrestler in the world is because I'm the smartest professional wrestler in the world, but right now is not the time, nor the place," MJF said.

MJF defeated Rush on Dynamite two weeks ago in his first match since returning from injury. He then opened up the main portion of Forbidden Door last night, defeating Hechicero in just under 10 minutes. There was some concern over a potential injury during the match.

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AEW Dynamite to feature Beach Break special

AEW will present its 2024 Beach Break edition of Dynamite this Wednesday from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The episode is being presented by Discovery's Shark Week.

Beach Break will feature fallout from Forbidden Door, plus build for All In next month. Below is the current lineup:

• Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament Quarterfinals: Jeff Jarrett vs. Wild Card entrant
• Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament Semifinals: Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale
• Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament Semifinals: Bryan Danielson vs. PAC
• International Champion Will Ospreay defends against Daniel Garcia

The other stars advertised for Dynamite are The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, Swerve Strickland, Toni Storm, Mercedes Moné, and Penta El Zero Miedo.