MJF Close To AEW Return, Contract Update

MJF could be back in AEW very soon.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman hasn’t been seen in AEW since being defeated by Samoa Joe at Worlds End in December. Not only did the star lose the World Championship, it was revealed he’d been betrayed by Adam Cole and his Undisputed Kingdom.

Heading into the match with Joe, MJF was dealing with several injuries, including a torn labrum and a hip problem picked up in his match with Jay White at Full Gear a month earlier.

In April, there were reports the star had suffered a setback in his recovery and had been forced to undergo surgery. However, it appears he’s still on track to be back in the ring soon.

According to a new report via Fightful Select, the former World Champion is expected to be back in the fold “sooner rather than later,” with most expecting him back ahead of Forbidden Door in New York on June 30th. Alterations in presentation have also been discussed, but there’s no word on what these may look like.

The report adds the star was dealing with a “plethora of injuries” by the end of 2023, but was determined to finish his AEW World Championship reign as planned. With regard to reports of shoulder surgery, Fightful notes they haven’t heard anything definitive.

MJF Set To Stay With AEW

Despite repeated hints from the man himself that he might leave AEW, Fightful also confirms MJF will be saying with AEW for “quite some time.” His original deal had been due to expire in December 2023, but he signed a big money extension, while keeping details around his situation as quiet as possible.

The star’s new contract makes him one of the highest earners in the company.