MJF Vs. Tony Khan And AEW: A Timeline

MJF vs. Tony Khan degenerated into a pro wrestling civil war during AEW Double or Nothing 2022 weekend. This war within the wrestling wars pits one of AEW’s biggest (but most complicated) stars against its steadfast (but pugnacious) owner.

The first half of 2022 is near, and the leading candidates for feud of the year have nothing to do with storylines. By far, the two biggest feuds in pro wrestling are eerily similar contract disputes pitting Sasha Banks and Naomi against WWE; and MJF vs. Tony Khan and AEW. Scandalous backstage feuds over contracts are all the rage in WWE and AEW as more wrestlers position themselves for potentially record-breaking contracts in 2024—when both WWE and AEW could come into massive television rights increases.

MJF References Bruce Prichard on AEW Dynamite | September 30, 2021

In what would become a theme amid MJF’s habitual line-blurring, Maxwell Jacob Friedman began making taboo references to WWE VP Bruce Prichard. In a segment opposite Darby Allin on the September 30 AEW Dynamite, MJF said the following:

“I am the past, present and future of AEW, and that’s why I deserve to be the AEW World Champion. Tony Khan, we’re friends and I love you buddy. In fact, out of all the Khans in pro wrestling, you’re easily in my top 2. However, if you don’t start giving me opportunities I deserve, I have other friends from back in the day. I have an old friend from my MLW days, and his name is Bruce Prichard. And I got Brucie on speed dial.”

MJF’s real-life connection with the top WWE official dates back to their days in MLW in 2018 when Prichard spent a brief stint as a senior producer.

MJF would go on to coin the term “the bidding war of 2024,” in reference to his contract (legitimately) expiring at the beginning of 2024. MJF’s onscreen character began to mirror rising tensions backstage between MJF and AEW.

MORE FROM FORBESMJF No Shows AEW Event Before Double Or Nothing 2022; Samoa Joe Double-BookedBy Alfred Konuwa

MJF on Ariel Helwani Show | March 23, 2022

MJF made a rogue appearance on the Ariel Helwani show, where he continued sing WWE’s praises. In an in-character interview, MJF claimed he loved everything WWE is doing. MJF’s appearance ruffled feathers with AEW head honcho Tony Khan, who reportedly had a heated conversation with MJF as a result.

MJF’s defiant appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show” was the source of the ongoing breakdown in communication between MJF and AEW. Since this controversial interview, the growing rift has quickly put MJF’s heavily anticipated match against Wardlow in jeopardy.

MJF and Tony Khan Have a Heated Argument | March 28, 2022

MJF and Tony Khan reportedly had a heated argument over MJF’s aforementioned appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” Tony Khan and AEW Public Relations had not cleared MJF’s interview. By conducting an interview—against AEW’s wishes—to promote his impending free agency, the upstart company was quickly losing control of MJF: Both the person and the character.

MJF and Tony Khan Have a Follow-Up Conversation | March 29, 2022

Tony Khan and MJF reportedly had a follow-up discussion that suggested they buried the hatchet. While their original conversation was heated, it was described as not being any type of fight. MJF and Khan’s strife continued to revolve around his contract. As a rising star in AEW, MJF wants to make top star money.

With a lucrative raise in near future—regardless of where he signs—MJF took matters into his own hands. One of AEW’s pillars is in search of a come-up in an early negotiation process with over a year left on his current deal.

MJF References Tension with Tony Khan During Contract Signing with Wardlow | May 11, 2022

During a contract signing for his match against Wardlow, MJF referenced his ongoing tensions with AEW management.

“Oh, you guys don’t want to talk about 2024? Neither does the guy in the back,” said MJF during a promo where he also referenced Cody Rhodes.

Given how far apart the two sides seem to be, looking back at MJF’s on-air segments becomes more fascinating. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, which is his real name, used AEW television to legitimately negotiate with WWE, thereby increasing his price on the open market. The ensuing fallout indicates this “act” continued backstage.

MJF Leaning Toward Signing with WWE | May 12, 2022

With MJF leaving AEW a growing possibility, reports surfaced that MJF is leaning Toward Signing with WWE. In countless interviews—on and off AEW television—and convention appearances, MJF continued to reiterate he would go where the money was. Though MJF’s promos about going to WWE seemed to be tongue-in-cheek, this was the first real-life indication that MJF was seriously considering WWE.

MJF to Tony Khan: “F—k this place” | May 26, 2022

In response to Tony Khan’s comments during a media scrum, MJF tweeted and quickly deleted a vulgar reply to his current boss.

“I think wrestling thrives when real life meets on screen,” said Tony Khan.

“The real life conflict is often just as exciting as any conflict on screen, which is one of the great things about what AEW has brought to the wrestling business. There was no real, major free agent market with the top stars crossing promotions, and debuting, and frankly the competition needed to be brought to the biggest stage. In the 90s, we had TBS and TNT both in the wrestling game. And now with the launch of AEW, we’ve been able to bring that back.”

“I think taking what’s happening in real life, and potential movement and contract negotiations, it’s exciting stuff. And it’s added another element to what’s already a very exciting match at Double or Nothing with Wardlow versus MJF, who has been very vocal, not only about his own contract but about his former bodyguard and how he feels about him, and how he’s tried to hold down his career.”

“I think for Wardlow this is a huge opportunity to officially become part of AEW, but also to shed an image that he’s just MJF’s heavy, MJF’s thug. For MJF, it’s been a great opportunity to not only air some real life grievances and air his actual status, contractually or otherwise…people are really excited about the fight at Double or Nothing on Sunday.”

“F—king lol. F—k this place man,” said MJF in response.

MJF No Shows AEW Meet and Greet | May 28, 2022

In a shocking twist to MJF’s rising tension with AEW, MJF no-showed an AEW Meet and Greet.

AEW officials were reportedly not happy with MJF’s actions, and the situation was described as 100% legitimate. A flight out of Las Vegas had been booked for MJF, and with MJF’s status for AEW Double or Nothing 2022 uncertain, his landmark match against Wardlow remained in Jeopardy. MJF was not spotted backstage within hours of AEW Double or Nothing going on the air as a disaster scenario became more of a possibility.

Goldberg began trending online as speculation arose that the WWE Hall of Famer could be a last-minute replacement for MJF.

Wardlow Squashes MJF with 10 Power Bombs | May 29, 2022

In the end, MJF showed up for AEW Double or Nothing and suffered a one-sided loss to Wardlow, who beat him with 10 power bombs. MJF was stretchered out of the arena, and it has since been reported that he will be written off television. Tony Khan declined to comment on the situation during a media scrum for AEW Double or Nothing, but MJF has broken his silence on this situation as he reportedly noted he has “a lot to think about.”