Referencing Britt Baker-Adam Cole split, disrespecting top star's deceased uncle & more - 5 Times MJF got way too personal on AEW TV
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has never been one to shy away from taking personal shots at his opponents. Over the years, The Salt of the Earth has committed many despicable deeds as a heel.
In an era where it is cool to cheer the heels, The Devil has managed to generate genuine heat from the fans on various occasions. Veteran babyfaces like CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Bryan Danielson have all been at the receiving end of MJF's verbal assault in the past.
Aside from making fun of a rival's appearance and career, the 28-year-old star has also made controversial comments about their personal lives. Not only did MJF's fiery remarks get the fans talking, but it also added a sense of real hatred between him and his competitors.
In this article, let's look at five times MJF got way too personal on AEW television:
#5. MJF gets incredibly personal with Brian Pillman Jr.
Brian Pillman Jr. (aka Lexis King) had a mini-feud with MJF in 2021. The young star was eager to shut The Devil up, who had shown resentment towards the former's family as well as his hometown of Cincinnati.
It turned out to be a poor decision, as the former AEW World Champion proceeded to tear apart the current NXT Superstar verbally. Maxwell stated that Pillman's mother was addicted to substance abuse and that she should not have given birth to the second-generation star.
The Salt of the Earth told Brian Pillman Jr. that he should have been aborted by his mother, prompting the latter to launch an attack on the despicable heel. Pillman had the upper hand over the Long Island native, till Wardlow intervened to rescue his client.
#4. The Devil mocks Lex Luger's health issues to get in the head of Sting
In October 2021, MJF participated in an onscreen segment with Sting. The Salt of the Earth interrupted The Icon's interview with Tony Schiavone to discuss his protégé, Darby Allin.
A few weeks prior, the former AEW World Champion had taken out Allin in the parking lot. Addressing his heinous actions, MJF put the blame on The Vigilante for not being there for his friends.
The Devil mentioned Sting's close friend, Lex Luger, whose battles with health have been well-documented. Maxwell crossed the line by comparing Allin and Luger, stating that the Invisible Man would end up in the same spot as the All-American, in a wheelchair.
The Stinger did not take Maxwell's words too kindly and proceeded to take him down with a punch. Unfortunately, The Icon had no answers for The Pinnacle's numbers game and the faction stood tall to end the segment.
#3. Maxwell Jacob Friedman taunts Darby Allin's deceased uncle
MJF and Darby Allin are undeniably the two pillars of All Elite Wrestling. The duo have an incredible onscreen chemistry, as they have given the fans many entertaining moments during their rivalry.
The two men came face-to-face on Dynamite in September 2021, when Allin interrupted MJF's in-ring promo, where the latter discussed him leaving AEW in the future. The Invisible Man called the Long Island native selfish, stating that nobody would care if the 28-year-old star left for WWE.
Friedman, however, stooped to a new low by bringing up Darby Allin's deceased uncle. The Devil shed light on an untold story about Allin, revealing that the former TNT Champion was in a car accident in his childhood alongside his uncle.
While the daredevil star survived the unfortunate crash, Allin's uncle, who was under the influence of alcohol, succumbed to his injuries. The former AEW World Champion specifically mentioned the story to break the 31-year-old's spirit. However, the Invisible Man refused to be fazed by the comments of the villainous character.
#2. The Devil sends a message to Bryan Danielson's kids
After winning the AEW World Championship in 2022, MJF entered a personal feud with Bryan Danielson. The Salt of the Earth drew Danielson's attention to when he turned his back on his mentor, William Regal.
A few weeks before their match at Revolution 2023, the two rivals had an intense back-and-forth on Dynamite. During their promo battle, the cocky star called the veteran selfish for prioritizing pro wrestling over his family.
The then-World Champion then directed his attention towards Danielson's children, claiming that he would inflict enough damage on The American Dragon and that he wouldn't be able to lift up his children. Friedman ended his discourse on a controversial note, by taking a shot at the legend's history with concussions.
While fans did get uncomfortable with MJF's promo, his distasteful comments helped spice up his feud with Bryan Danielson even more.
#1. The Salt of the Earth brings up Adam Cole's split with Britt Baker
Adam Cole and MJF have been out for each other's blood for nearly a year. At Worlds End 2024, the two stars will get to settle their scores in what seems like the final bout of their rivalry.
On the latest episode of Collision, The Devil engaged in a heated confrontation with The Panama City Playboy. MJF went on with his usual routine and made fun of Adam Cole's physique.
However, The Salt of the Earth dealt a huge blow to his rival by referencing Cole's personal life. The 28-year-old star stated that The Star of the Show would have certain other rivals to worry about, with a tooth cavity being one of them.
The despicable star claimed that Cole might have developed dental issues, as his "dentist" was no longer seeing him. It was a clear reference to Britt Baker, who had recently parted ways with The Panama City Playboy after a long-term relationship.
While the two individuals have majorly remained private about their breakup, it did not stop The Salt of the Earth from taking a verbal jab at Adam Cole and Britt Baker.