Tony Khan believes top star might stay in AEW "permanently"
AEW has signed several big names in recent years and they continue to elevate some of the homegrown talents. Tony Khan and his crew try to keep these names satisfied and under contract, but he has just made an interesting status update on perhaps the biggest star in the company.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman returned to All Elite Wrestling at the sixth annual Double Or Nothing pay-per-view in May, to coincide with the company's 5th anniversary. He has reportedly signed a long-term contract worth major money. The return came following rumors on MJF potentially signing with WWE, something he had been teasing for years, even while he was the World Champion.
Speaking to TV Insider to promote tonight's live Dynamite, the All Elite President said he believes The Salt Of The Earth is an All Elite lifer. Khan was asked what it means to have MJF back in the fold and committed long-term to the company:
"It’s really great. It means a lot to have MJF in AEW. He has been a great world champion and one of our biggest stars. Having MJF on Wednesday nights every week on TBS is a big deal. He was in an altercation with Rush last week. One of our top international stars and a brutal pro wrestler. Rush will be in action tonight surely beating the hell out of some poor kid from Iowa. I know MJF will be in the arena tonight, so something to keep an eye on. MJF is one of our greatest stars. We’re happy to have MJF back in AEW, I believe permanently," Tony Khan said.
Khan seemingly confirmed a Dynamite appearance for the AEW Original on tonight's show. The five-time Dynamite Diamond Ring winner recently issued a bold warning to his new rival.
Rumored MJF match for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door
All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling will present Forbidden Door 2024 on Sunday, June 30 from the UBS Arena in Long Island, NY.
Hometown star MJF is expected to wrestle on the Forbidden Door card. His new feud with Rush has been planned for some time as previously reported. The match could be confirmed on tonight's Dynamite, where Rush will be in action against an opponent to be announced.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman did not wrestle a match at the inaugural Forbidden Door event in 2022. However, he opened the main card in 2023 by retaining the World Championship over Hiroshi Tanahashi in a near-16-minute match.