When will former AEW World Champion MJF finally return to the company?
Following his loss to Mark Briscoe in a Tables N’ Tacks match at All Out in September, MJF has taken an extended leave of absence from AEW programming. But with 2026 quickly approaching, we finally have an update on when everyone’s favorite scumbag will return to the ring.
On the latest episode of WrestleVotes Live on Fightful Select, it was revealed that as of Thanksgiving week, MJF was factored into plans for the AEW Worlds End pay-per-view later this month. The extent of his involvement is currently unknown, but AEW has working plans to include him at the event.
Friedman on the Casino Gauntlet earlier this year at AEW All In: Texas. The win gave him the right to challenge for the AEW World Championship whenever he sees fit. The caveat? MJF must announce his execution of the contract one week before using it.
MJF previously lost the AEW World Championship to Samoa Joe at Worlds End 2023. Funny enough, Joe is once again holding that title, and with Worlds End 2025 quickly approaching, there might not be a better time for Friedman to exact his revenge.
MJF’s ominous warning for his AEW return
While MJF hasn’t competed on AEW programming since All Out, he did appear in a pre-taped promo on the September 24 episode of Dynamite. You can check out his complete promo below that might tease what version of MJF we’ll see when he returns to the company later this month.
“I’m so angry right now, but I just do not have the energy to yell anymore,” MJF began. “You know, I was once, not long ago, the biggest star in wrestling. The most talked about name, didn’t matter what show you’re watching, my three letters were on signs and being chanted out loud around the world. I was the guy. Then Adam Cole came into my life. Broke his ankle, and yeah, this might sound sappy, but he broke my heart.
“Then I lost my World Title at Worlds End. I lost my mojo. I lost everything. Went away for a while, rehabbing, then I came back. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not an idiot, okay? I have managed to accomplish more than anybody in this sport would dream of during this time frame. But something’s missing. I’m not MJF. I’m a caricature, I’m playing MJF. Since I’ve lost my title, I’ve made so many mistakes trying to force myself just to snap out of it, and all the while, created doubt after doubt after doubt after doubt. You see these tacks all over my body? They aren’t tacks. They’re doubts.
“I cannot come back until I look in the mirror and I no longer see a fraud, but I see a man who was once at the top of this profession. Let’s face it, folks. Ospreay, Swerve, Hangman. You can [bleep] yourself all you want, but they were once in my dust. Now, I’m in theirs. When I come back, I will no longer be playing MJF. Hell, I won’t even be the MJF of old.
“No, no. I will not come back until I am the most dangerous I have ever been. I will lap around everyone in this company, everyone in this profession. Doubt, there were times, I’m sure you knew I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up, and I spit it out. When I come back, I am taking my spot at the top of professional wrestling, and I am going to do it the only way I know how, whether you like it or not. My way!”
READ MORE: Major Update On Chris Jericho’s AEW Status
What do you make of this report? Are you excited that MJF should be back on AEW programming sooner rather than later? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
If you use any of these quotes, please credit AEW with a link to this article for the transcription.
