Richard Soriano
In the past month, AEW fans have witnessed the return of MJF’s original heel persona after he won the AEW American Championship. His turn back to being a villain was marked by an attack on Daniel Garcia, which also brought back MJF’s trademark arrogance and narcissism. This shift in character has allowed fans to see the edgier side of MJF, reminiscent of his earlier days in wrestling.
During an interview with “Cultaholic,” MJF shared his admiration for John Cena, particularly early in Cena’s WWE career. He reflected on how Cena was an inspiration to him when he first got into professional wrestling. However, MJF also mentioned how his interest in Cena waned when Cena’s character transitioned from a brash rapper to a more family-friendly persona.
MJF humorously addressed Cena’s 2010 feud with The Nexus and Wade Barrett, stating that Cena was defending himself when being attacked by multiple opponents. He drew a playful comparison between Cena’s situation and situations people face in real life, where friends might jump into fights. MJF emphasized that even though he’s not always defending Cena, he recognizes the greatness in him, calling Cena a generational talent, just like himself.
In addition to Cena, MJF mentioned several other wrestling legends who influenced him during his upbringing. He named Ric Flair, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Arn Anderson, and the late Kevin Sullivan as important figures who shaped his understanding and passion for professional wrestling. These influences helped mold MJF into the character fans see today.
Looking ahead, MJF is set to defend his AEW American Championship against Will Ospreay at All In on August 25. This match will take place in the United Kingdom, on Ospreay’s home turf, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between the two talented wrestlers.
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