MJF May Require Surgery; Potentially Set To Miss Multiple Months Of AEW TV

Written by Alex Hunt • Published Jan 05, 2024 13:25 EST
MJF May Require Surgery; Potentially Set To Miss Multiple Months Of AEW TV

MJF is set to take time off following AEW Worlds End and could be out for a very long time.

As was seen in the main event of the show, Samoa Joe defeated MJF for the AEW World Title he had held for over 400 days by forcing the champ into unconsciousness with a Coquina Clutch for a decisive victory.

Things would go from bad to worse for the former World Champion as best friend Adam Cole then revealed he had been The Devil all along, standing tall with The Undisputed Kingdom to close out the event.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman has been notably silent following the loss, including not being seen on the following episode of Dynamite and not providing any social media updates. Additionally, the former World Champion has been removed from the roster page, which many believe to be part of the free agency storyline and that he is still a part of the promotion.

MJF To Take Time Away From AEW

As first reported by Fightful Select, many in the company expect MJF to be away from TV for some time after the events of Worlds End. The star is said to be dealing with a “plethora” of injuries but wanted to see his title reign through to the end. Fightful notes that Friedman has enough influence in his creative direction that he could insist on not taking time away, but currently the company expects it to happen.

In a further update on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that the former World Champion may require surgery on his shoulder but is currently debating whether he will undergo surgery or try and rehab the injury.

From what I was told, he is either going to have to rehab the shoulder, which is the main problem, or he may need surgery. And just judging from how severe it was, he may need that surgery, and the surgery would put him out for quite a while.

He is still debating which tack to take. I think itā€™s probably the best thing for him to have the surgery, but itā€™s a long time off. Other guys do that. I mean, itā€™s not like itā€™s the end of the world to take a long time off. But it seems like a lot. You know, I mean, for his career. Heā€™s 27 years old. He needs to get the shoulder fixed. And as good as it can be fixed because you donā€™t want that thing to be a mess for the rest of your career.ā€

H/t to Wrestling News.co

Meltzer provided more details on the next steps in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In what would be a crushing blow to Friedman, it is stated that if he opts for shoulder surgery he could miss most of 2024:

MJF worked the match in great pain with his torn labrum, as well as hip injury from the crazy elbow drop off the top rope to the floor in the Jay White match at Full Gear. The shoulder injury is the most serious. Heā€™s hoping to have it heal through rehab rather than surgery, because surgery would put him out for months, and he was told perhaps close to a year, which he wants to avoid. But long-term, heā€™s young and getting this as fixed long-term could be a lot better than it constantly being a problem for the rest of his career. As of now, he and doctors will determine what direction he tries.

Unfortunately, another top star may also be sidelined from action in AEW.

In a new update in March 2024, MJF’s AEW status has been addressed.

Everyone at Inside The Ropes would like to wish MJF a full and speedy recovery.