The main event of AEW Revolution saw MJF and Bryan Danielson go to war in a 60-minute iron man match for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship.
The two had been at odds for months, ever since Maxwell Jacob Friedman attacked Danielson’s long-time friend William Regal just days after Regal helped Friedman capture the title in a bout with Jon Moxley at Full Gear. The attack wrote Regal off television to allow a real-life return to WWE, but it also helped to create bitter animosity between Danielson and Friedman ahead of their huge title clash.
The bout was a bloody one, and at one point, Friedman took a stiff shot to the head, creating a large hematoma on his head. Taking to social media today, the holder of the Big Burberry Belt updated fans on his condition following the bout, noting that his hematoma had shifted into his eye. While the injury looks severe, he makes it clear that the important thing is that he’s still the champion.
“The blood in the hematoma (devil horn) on my forehead has now pooled down into my eye. Still the champ though and the rats don’t seem to mind.”
The blood in the hematoma (devil horn) on my forehead has now pooled down into my eye.
Still the champ though and the rats don’t seem to mind. pic.twitter.com/SSKXs0ggiA
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) March 9, 2023
After 60 minutes, both MJF and Bryan Danielson were tied, leading to an edict from Tony Khan to restart the match. In the end, Danielson was forced to tap out, allowing Friedman to retain his title.
MJF Stirred Controversy At AEW Revolution When He Threw A Drink On A Child
Before suffering the hematoma during his Revolution bout with Bryan Danielson, Friedman left the ring to insult members of the audience in attendance. One woman in the front row was shocked when MJF took her drink out of her hand and threw it on her son, causing the son to break down crying.
The child, whose name was later revealed to be Titus, was not a plant, and security checked on him after the incident according to a report from Fightful Select. Amanda Huber also comforted the young fan, and he was taken backstage after the show to meet some of his AEW favorites and receive merchandise.
AEW President Tony Khan addressed the situation in a press conference following the show, saying that the champion’s actions were out of line and making it clear he’d spoken with Friedman about the incident.
“Before we came up here, we had a serious conversation and I mean that. It’s not to be taken lightly. The young man Titus was a real pro about it. We’ll see Titus again in AEW. I believe Titus is actually coming to Sacramento. I was just with him, he was a real champ about it. The champion didn’t act like a champion there. I think Titus was great.” (h/t Fightful)
Though some online praised Friedman for behaving like a “true heel,” his actions drew criticism from former AEW World Tag Team Champion Scorpio Sky as well as two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, with both men feeling the champion went too far.