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Update regarding what is reportedly going on behind the scenes between MJF and AEW

Aaron Rift

It was previously reported that MJF has been frustrated about his AEW contract and wants to be paid more money. MJF referenced his contract expiring (2024) on television during the May 11th 2022 edition of Dynamite.

Fightful Select noted the following regarding the situation with MJF and AEW…

“There has been no indication of formal talks actually happening to this point, only that MJF continued to be frustrated after the initial heated conversation. Those that we’ve spoken to say that MJF doesn’t typically speak about this interpersonally backstage, and that Tony Khan plays a lot of stuff like that close to the vest for obvious reasons. However, one talent indicated that Tony Khan claimed to them that he would obviously be willing to pay MJF comparable to other top stars.”

During his podcast, Fightful’s Will Washington said the following…

“I did some digging around as well. I asked multiple people around in AEW and I did get one person who gave me a quote they said I am free to use. So basically, there’s not a whole lot of people on MJF’s side of this I am gathering. The one thing I heard from somebody that said, ‘Look his deal is his deal. Changing the terms of an existing deal while in the middle of it would set a horrible precedent and If he wants new money then sign a new deal.’ The idea I gave… what they’re saying here is, yeah if MJF in the middle of his deal can simply say actually, I’m actually worth this now.

Granted, I think he is…but they’re like what would stop anybody else from wanting to change the terms of their deal in the middle of it and not sign a new deal. And also said [the source], ‘Tony would be a fool to give him any more money without the guarantee of more years.’ Of course if Tony gives up something on this new deal then he has to get something and so yeah, you sign a new deal, he’s got to tack on a few more years to make it happen. It sounds like he still wants his free agency in 2024.” (quote courtesy of WrestlingNews.co)