Though MJF previously called out Tony Khan publicly, he explains how their relationship improved over time.
On the Dynamite immediately following Double or Nothing, Maxwell Jacob Friedman added fuel to the fire when it came to his dissatisfaction with AEW as he cut a scathing promo on the promotion, its fans, and most notably AEW President Tony Khan, uttering the words “Fire me Tony! Fire me you f*cking mark!”
Earlier in the week, the star’s presence at Double or Nothing was in doubt as he reportedly no-showed a fan event and made disparaging remarks toward the company on social media. However, he did go on to face Wardlow as planned, taking a decisive loss at the event.
After this promo, MJF wasn’t seen again in the promotion until his return at All Out, where he won the Casino Ladder Match with help from Stokely Hathaway and the men who would go on to be known as The Firm.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, MJF addressed the controversial Double or Nothing weekend and his promo after the fact, admitting that All Elite Wrestling might not have been pleased with him at the time.
“Did P.R. get a little upset that I didn’t clear it with them. Yes. Does P.R. now have absolutely no choice but to salivate at the fact that MJF is leaving his house to do an interview in regards to Arthur Ashe. Yes, because things have changed a little bit. The balls in my court now. I’m one of the biggest ratings…”
“What has changed is this. I’ve come back. Tony Khan had no choice but to understand and to deal with the fact that if you want MJF on your show, you got to abide by MJF rules. It’s that simple. MJF wanted to be on the Ariel Helwani show today, and MJF is on the Ariel Helwani show.”
MJF continued, noting that his relationship with Tony Khan at the time of Double or Nothing was not good, but it has improved significantly due to recent contractual negotiations.
“Not good. Now it’s great. I’m a simple man. I go out there. All I do is win. I’m winning in the ring. I’m winning on the mic. I’m constantly winning. So obviously I had no problem with how I was being showcased. That wasn’t the issue. The issue is money. I was looking to my left and to my right and I was hearing rumblings about what guys were making when I was three times the draw they were minute by minute. I’ve seen the analytics and I went, that doesn’t work for me. I’m MJ freakin’ F. Pay up.”
Elsewhere in the interview, MJF commented on Vince McMahon’s retirement from WWE.
h/t WrestlingNews.co