MJF, also known as Maxwell Jacob Friedman, has been on top of the world ever since he defeated Samoa Joe, Hangman Page, and Swerve Strickland to become the new AEW World Champion at Worlds End 2025. The Salt of the Earth is set to make his first TV appearance of 2026 on this week’s episode of Dynamite in Tulsa. Fans are eagerly waiting to see what he has in store for them, especially with his upcoming title defense against Bandido at AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage on January 14.
In a bold move, MJF took to Instagram to share a picture of himself with the AEW World Title and declared himself as “The Champ,” boldly claiming that 2026 belongs to him. He also expressed his lack of interest in appearing in Tulsa in the same caption, setting the stage for what promises to be an interesting segment on Dynamite.
However, MJF’s bravado extends beyond just his own accomplishments. He recently reacted to the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi, a legendary figure in professional wrestling. Tanahashi recently retired after facing Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 20. In a message to Tanahashi, MJF took credit for elevating the Japanese star during their match in AEW, showcasing his confidence and competitive spirit.
The rivalry between Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Hiroshi Tanahashi dates back to their singles match for the AEW World Champion at Forbidden Door in 2023. Despite only having one encounter in the ring, it seems that MJF is not one to shy away from taking credit for his impact on the career of a wrestling legend like Tanahashi.
As MJF prepares to defend his AEW World Title against Bandido, his bold statements and confident demeanor continue to solidify his status as one of the top stars in AEW. Fans can expect fireworks when The Champ steps into the ring, both in his upcoming title defense and in his interactions on this week’s episode of Dynamite in Tulsa.
