MJF and Wardlow in Character Always

The picture below was not poorly timed, nor was it a mistake. It is classic MJF.

Currently a top star with All Elite Wrestling, Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his pro wrestling debut in 2015. He made his way to AEW in early 2019 and has come into his own ever since. Back when this picture was taken, he was a rising star, but nowhere near the status he has now. Still, he completely stayed in character.

His character is unique. He is an obnoxious jerk. He is known for signing and then tossing away items fan brings. He is famous for barely posing in pictures (as ween below). Promoters usually warn everyone ahead of time that MJF is MJF 100%. If you're easily offended or think he will change for you or even kids, you are wrong and should stay away.

Even as part of the press, I got nothing different from MJF. I expected nothing different.

While a case can be made he could be slightly more engaging with fans, I have to give him credit for staying in character (keeping kayfabe) as old school wrestlers would do.

I have since met MJF a few times and he is always the same. I do wonder though if things will be different for now, as he turned into a good guy (for now), although I think and hope he will soon turn back, as he is a much better heel, even if he stays in character out of the ring.

MJF was one of the most popular guests when he appeared at Squared Circle Expo. He will not be at this year's event, but plenty of other great wrestlers of the past and present will be there March 29-30. Of course, I'll be there, too. I'm always fan-friendly, but I don't get many (any?) fans wanting my autograph or picture.

Go to C2E2.com for more info and scheduling. Check back here for my updates.

MJF, Wardlow and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

MJF and Wardlow at C2E2 2020

I am not a regular watcher of All Elite Wrestling, but I am definitely familiar with it. I knew AEW was gaining popularity, but it was never more obvious than at C2E2 earlier this year.

I was in the first wave of people who got into C2E2 on Friday, but such a good portion of that crowd immediately went to the AEW line. By the time I got there, the line wrapped all around the convention area and I knew I had no chance at the first few AEW stars. That line never really let up. Different wrestlers switched in and out of the booth,l but the line remained one of the longest at C2E2.

Finally on Sunday, when the convention was winding down, I found myself pretty much done with all of my work and with time on my hands. The AEW line wasn't horribly long by now. I jumped in without even knowing which stars I would meet.

To my surprise, MJF and Wardlow were the first two AEW stars I met. They stayed in character, especially MJF, who scowled at me.

MJF received some criticism for how he handled some young fans. I'm a bit split on this issue. On one hand, if the kids watch wrestling, they would know his character and also would have seen plenty of harsh things on television. If the kids wouldn't know better, their parents should have. It shouldn't have been a shock.

On the other hand, I don't exactly know what MJF did to incur the wrath. Perhaps he could have stayed in character, but lightened up a bit around the kids? It's a tough call.

I once had a knucklehead "bad guy" wrestler tell me he doesn't have 8x10's because he is a bad guy. I believe the history of wrestling proves you can be both a bad guy and a popular wrestler. In fact, especially in more modern wrestling, bad guys often are more popular and are almost forced to become good guys because they get cheered so loudly.

If nothing else, I applaud MJF for trying to keep the mystery of wrestling alive. In wrestling terms, he is keeping kayfabe and that's not a bad thing.

Go to C2E2.com for more info and hope to see you there in 2021. Also check out MJF, Wardlow and all the others at AllEliteWrestling.com.