3 Ways MJF could return to AEW
MJF (Maxwell Jacob Friedman) is currently MIA from AEW. The last time he was seen in the Jacksonville-based company was at the Worlds End pay-per-view, which took place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, on Long Island on Saturday, December 30, 2023.
Just a while ago, MJF's absence had triggered a rumor to go rampant, which stated that he had cut ties with the promotion. Moreover, AEW removing him from the roster page only fueled the rumor fire.
However, it was later confirmed that The Salt of the Earth is still under contract with Tony Khan's promotion. He is on the shelf because of a torn labrum and a hip injury.
It is only a matter of time before he returns to the promotion. Speaking of which, let us explore three ways in which AEW might plan to bring one of its top stars back to TV.
#1 A rematch for the AEW World Championship
At Worlds End 2023, MJF put his title on the line against Samoa Joe. The latter beat the champion and ended his historic championship reign at 407 days.
Usually, when a champion loses his title, he gets a shot at his recently lost belt, i.e., a rematch. In Friedman's case, that never happened. He went missing from TV the day after he lost his title.
It is very possible that if and when he returns, he might demand a rematch for the AEW World Championship. Currently, Swerve Strickland holds the championship belt and is set to defend it at Double or Nothing against Christian Cage.
#2 Continuation of The Devil storyline
Along with his rivalry with Samoa Joe, MJF was also involved in another storyline before he went on a hiatus. It involved The Devil and his Masked Men.
The Devil and his Masked Men had targeted Friedman for a while before it was revealed that Adam Cole was behind the Devil's mask. The revelation took place at Worlds End after The Salt of the Earth lost his championship to Samoa Joe.
The masked assailants ambushed MJF, and then Adam Cole revealed himself as The Devil, shocking the former champion and the fans. Cole and Friedman were tag team buddies for a while, and the latter could never get an explanation as to why his former teammate stabbed him in the back.
Therefore, MJF could return to ask for an explanation for Cole's betrayal at Worlds End.
#3 MJF could join Team AEW in the Anarchy of The Arena match at Double or Nothing
At Double or Nothing, Team AEW and Team Elite will have the Anarchy of The Arena match. The former team will be looking to defend Tony Khan and the company's honor, while the latter group will want to assert their dominance and control over the company.
So far, Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson comprise Team Elite, while Team AEW consists of Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin.
Eddie Kingston was to wrestle instead of Darby, but the former injured himself at NJPW Resurgence. Therefore, the former TNT Champion is replacing him in the bout.
As we are approaching Double or Nothing, Team Elite is devising more plans to ensure their victory. The EVPs want to add more names to their teams to strengthen the group.
Recently, they recruited Butch, Vincent, and Lance Archer by giving them "Elite blood money" to fight from their side. Team AEW will also have to add more members to their team if they wish to have a fair fight with their rivals.
MJF could return and choose to side with Team AEW against Team Elite. Friedman is a good friend of Tony Khan. Therefore, he may decide to fight for his close friend.