A major AEW star in contention for the promotion’s World Championship is considering a new career path.
A pro wrestler making a smooth transition into acting is not a new phenomenon in 2025. WWE’s Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Dave Batista, and John Cena, among others, have all found success in Hollywood. Top stars of today, like Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, are also evidently making the move. And now, AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has also openly admitted his passion for acting.
MJF Said He Considers Acting Seriously Ahead Of High-Profile AEW World Title Showdown
At AEW All In: Texas, MJF won the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match for a future World Championship match. In the main event of the spectacle, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley in a Texas Deathmatch to win the coveted gold. The Wolf of Wrestling will challenge Hangman for the title soon.
Meanwhile, TMZ Sports caught up with MJF recently for a short interview. The 29-year-old AEW World Title contender singled out his Happy Gilmore 2 co-star, Adam Sandler, noting that Sandler was like a father figure to him. When the interviewer asked whether he would continue to act in movies, the AEW star responded in the affirmative.
Absolutely. I’m taking acting just as seriously as I do professional wrestling. I’m very excited about it,” he said.
Finally, MJF also claimed that he does not need to cash in on Adam Page, because he knows he can beat Page in the middle of the ring, further raising expectations for the upcoming World Title contest.
MJF skyrocketed to fame in AEW in his early 20s. His rivalries with Cody Rhodes and CM Punk are often singled out for praise, especially the latter. He is said to be a natural in the ring, with solid character work, as he can connect with the audience on an emotional level.
During the premiere of The Iron Claw in 2023, MJF met John Cena. The two had a conversation during which The Last Real Champion told him that one day, he could probably play for the right team, implying a future move to WWE.