Ranking the four pillars of AEW

#1 AEW's MJF

This list of the four pillars of AEW would always come back to the man who coined the phrase on television for the first time. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF, is far and away from a breakout star who has immediately entrenched himself into the fabric of All Elite Wrestling. He has presented and carried himself like a main eventer and has been treated as such.

MJF has had a lengthy undefeated streak in singles competition for AEW. He was a phenomenal talker who garnered heat by picking up a microphone. His betrayal of Cody Rhodes at Full Gear 2019 felt like a major turning point when the company decided to go full speed ahead with the 25-year-old as one of their top guys and future ace.

MJF has beaten Cody, Chris Jericho, and Hangman Page while also having some showstealers against Jungle Boy, Jon Moxley, and Sammy Guevara. Friedman is a two-time winner of the Dynamite Diamond Ring and the leader of the Pinnacle. His faction includes his hired muscle Wardlow, Shawn Spears, Tully Blanchard, and FTR.

MJF has just concluded a year-long storyline with Chris Jericho at All Out 2021. Although Maxwell lost to Jericho at the pay-per-view, he owns two pinfall victories over the first AEW World Champion and formed his group on the back of the Inner Circle.

MJF's latest feud might have been his best work to date. Friedman faced Darby Allin at Full Gear 2021 in an excellent opener that showcased the wrestling prowess of both men and told a wonderful story. MJF said leading up to the showdown that he could beat Allin with a headlock takeover. Following a knockout punch with the diamond ring, The Pinnacle Leader beat Darby with a headlock takeover.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is unquestionably going to be a future AEW World Champion. He checks the boxes in every single way and has knocked every opportunity put in front of him out of the park. The Pinnacle leader is an incredible talker, a compelling character, and continues to prove himself as an exceptional in-ring performer.

AEW has made him a special attraction of sorts. MJF doesn't wrestle every week, but he does show up for a promo because it's that damn good. He has also been the only man of these four to own a pinfall victory over the other three. That's why MJF is the best of the four pillars of AEW.