MJF has admitted that he is not in peak condition heading into his latest title defence.
The AEW World Champion has not competed since Full Gear, where he successfully defended the Triple B against Jay White and became the first World Champion to hold the title for a full year. However, as was reported in subsequent days, the defence would come at a cost. MJF suffered multiple injuries in the match which were suspected to be from multiple big dives to the outside of the ring.
The upcoming match at Worlds End is set to be a physical one, as MJF’s opponent will be Samoa Joe. When giving an update on his condition, the World Champion admitted that he is still having mobility issues.
While appearing on Solomonster Sounds Off, MJF stated that he has undergone platelet-rich plasma [PRP] treatment and shockwave therapy to avoid having to take time off:
“I got PRP done and something called EPAT where what they do essentially is, it’s almost like shock therapy straight onto the muscle. I’m not going to lie to you, I cannot lift my arm all the way up north south. Point blank. Probably not something I should be discussing publicly. I’m kind of being known for being honest to a fault. I can’t lose this belt. This world title reign, it means too much to too many people. Most specifically, it means too much to me.
When discussing the upcoming match at Worlds End, the World Champion stated that Samoa Joe has been his most dangerous opponent but will do whatever it takes to end the year as champion:
I’m going to go in there guns blazing, I’m going to give it 110%. I’ve wrestled Samoa Joe before, hardest match of my reign. I believe I’ve had 11 title defenses, I also hold the world of most title defenses of any world champion in the history of the company. Of every single match I’ve had, the one where I was in the most physical danger was Joe at Grand Slam. I know what I’m heading into, but I’m going to win because I have to win,”
MJF Gets Ready For Important Championship Match
Despite the fact that MJF has defended the championship in 2023 against the likes of Bryan Danielson, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Adam Cole in a packed Wembley Stadium, Worlds End will be the match that means the most to him as it takes place in his hometown of Long Island, NY. When discussing what Long Island means to him, MJF admitted that the match at Worlds End will mean more to him than All In.
H/t to Fightful.