Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) didn’t become one of AEW’s biggest stars through his in-ring ability alone. He rose to the top with exceptional mic skills and fearless promos, often outshining wrestlers who had more matches, more championships, and far more experience. MJF has never been afraid to say the uncomfortable things that others won’t, and that’s what makes him stand out from the rest. Here are the 7 promo rivalries that helped establish MJF as one of the greatest talkers in AEW history.
1. MJF vs. Cody Rhodes — The Betrayal Promo (November 2019)
At Full Gear 2019, MJF shocked the wrestling world by betraying his own mentor, Cody Rhodes, costing him the AEW World Championship before delivering a low blow to complete the turn. However, the real damage wasn’t done during the match—it came the following night on Dynamite. MJF walked to the ring and delivered the promo that truly established him as a future AEW superstar. Calm, confident, and completely in control, he argued that it was Cody who had used him, not the other way around. He then dismantled Cody’s public image piece by piece, forcing fans to look at the story from a completely different perspective.
Later in the segment, Chris Jericho confronted MJF, leading to a memorable exchange on the microphone. That interaction laid the foundation for what would become one of MJF’s longest-running rivalries. Even today, many fans point to this promo as a perfect example of how a single, well-delivered speech can completely reshape a storyline and shift the audience’s perception in a wrestler’s favor.
2. MJF vs. Wardlow — The Contract Angle (2021-2022)
MJF vs. Wardlow wasn’t built around one blockbuster promo. The real strength of the feud was its long-term storytelling, which developed week after week. MJF repeatedly waved a fake employment contract in Wardlow’s face on live television, using it as proof that Wardlow was legally obligated to protect him, no matter how badly MJF insulted or humiliated him. What made the story so compelling was the contrast between the two men. MJF was much smaller than Wardlow, yet he managed to control the powerhouse through nothing but his mic skills, manipulation, and that contract. Week after week, fans were left wondering how much longer Wardlow would tolerate the constant humiliation.
Because the story was built so patiently, the payoff felt even bigger. When Wardlow finally turned on MJF and got his hands on him, the moment was incredibly satisfying. It worked so well because it was backed by nearly a year of promos, manipulation, humiliation, and excellent long-term storytelling.
3. MJF vs. CM Punk — Two Promos, One Rivalry (November 2021 & February 2022)
Very few rivalries in AEW history have felt as personal and emotionally charged as MJF vs. CM Punk. Their feud produced two promo segments that are still widely regarded as some of the greatest microphone battles in AEW history. On the November 24, 2021 episode of Dynamite, MJF and CM Punk engaged in a nearly 20-minute face-to-face promo battle. Both men took shots at each other’s real-life careers, accomplishments, and reputations. Every line landed with impact, making the exchange feel less like a scripted wrestling segment and more like two people settling genuine personal issues. Even today, many fans consider it one of the greatest promo exchanges in AEW history.
The rivalry took a completely different turn in February 2022. This time, MJF dropped his usual arrogant persona and revealed that CM Punk had been his childhood hero. He spoke with surprising honesty and emotion, only for Punk to respond with a cold and ruthless reply that made the feud even more personal. What made these two segments so memorable was the contrast between them. In the first, MJF was aggressive, confident, and relentless. In the second, he showed a vulnerable and emotional side that fans rarely get to see. Together, these promos proved that MJF is far more than just a great heel on the microphone—he is also an exceptional storyteller who knows how to connect with the audience on an emotional level.
4. MJF vs. Jay White — Title Reign Mind Games
During his AEW World Championship reign, MJF found one of his most credible challengers in Jay White. Their promo exchanges showcased MJF at his most confident and arrogant. He constantly dismissed Jay White as a threat, yet at the same time acknowledged the reputation White had built in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), making their verbal battles feel even more compelling. By this point, MJF’s “Devil” persona had fully taken shape. Every insult aimed at Jay White wasn’t just about putting down his opponent—it also helped strengthen MJF’s identity as champion. The rivalry showed that MJF wasn’t simply cutting entertaining promos; he was using every segment to build his character while making the feud feel more personal and meaningful.
5. MJF vs. Samoa Joe — Facing Real Menace
Samoa Joe is one of the few wrestlers who can’t be easily out-talked, and that’s exactly what made this rivalry so compelling. Joe’s calm confidence and intimidating presence forced MJF to change his usual approach on the microphone. Instead of relying entirely on mockery and arrogance, MJF’s promos began to show signs of discomfort and pressure, making the feud feel more believable.
The rivalry reached its climax at Worlds End 2023, where Samoa Joe defeated MJF to win the AEW World Championship. Looking back, MJF’s promos during the build-up take on a different meaning. Rather than sounding like a champion simply looking down on his challenger, they feel like the words of someone who already sensed that Samoa Joe was the biggest threat to his title reign.
6. MJF vs. Adam Cole — The Devil Reveal (January 2024)
Unlike most of MJF’s rivalries, this feud wasn’t built on hatred from the beginning—it was built on a close friendship that slowly turned into betrayal. That made the promo work feel completely different. Throughout 2023, MJF and Adam Cole became one of AEW’s most entertaining on-screen tag teams, even winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship together. Their chemistry made fans genuinely believe they had become close allies. Everything changed at Worlds End 2023, when Adam Cole revealed that he was the masked “Devil” who had been tormenting MJF for months. After the reveal, Cole’s group attacked MJF, bringing their friendship to a dramatic end.
A few days later, on the January 3, 2024 episode of Dynamite, Adam Cole explained his betrayal to the AEW audience. He argued that MJF had it coming and claimed he had acted first because he believed MJF would eventually betray him anyway. What made this rivalry unique was that many fans felt the defining promo of the feud didn’t come from MJF—it came from Adam Cole, whose explanation added a new layer to the entire storyline.
7. MJF vs. Bryan Danielson — Skill vs. Star Power
MJF’s rivalry with Bryan Danielson was about far more than the AEW World Championship. It became a clash between two completely different philosophies of professional wrestling. Danielson believed that greatness is defined by what happens inside the ring, while MJF argued that being an incredible wrestler means very little if you can’t capture the audience’s attention. Throughout the feud, MJF acknowledged Danielson’s world-class technical ability but insisted that star power, charisma, and drawing fans are what truly separate the biggest names from everyone else. His message was clear: Bryan Danielson might be the better pure wrestler, but MJF was the bigger attraction.
Danielson pushed back just as effectively. He argued that popularity can come and go, but a wrestler’s legacy is built through unforgettable matches and consistent excellence inside the ring. Rather than trying to out-insult MJF, Danielson focused on defending the values that had defined his entire career. That dynamic made MJF vs. Bryan Danielson one of the smartest promo battles of MJF’s career. Instead of relying on personal attacks, both men turned the rivalry into a debate over what truly makes a wrestling superstar—elite in-ring skill or undeniable star power.
What Makes MJF Different
Looking across all seven of these rivalries, one pattern becomes impossible to ignore. MJF rarely wins a promo battle by being the loudest person in the room. Instead, he wins by being the most precise. He finds the one detail in his opponent’s career, reputation, or personal history that truly hits a nerve, then builds an entire promo around it. That approach makes his words feel more personal and far more effective. It’s a skill that separates MJF from most wrestlers. Physical presence and confidence can be developed over time, but understanding an opponent’s psychology and turning it into a compelling promo is much harder to master. That’s one of the biggest reasons AEW has trusted him to carry major World Championship storylines with his microphone work as much as his in-ring performances.
Whenever I watch MJF cut a promo today, I can’t help but feel that he’s destined to become one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. His ability to command the audience, tell a story, and make every word matter is incredibly rare. There’s no doubt that MJF is one of the most talented performers of his generation.
Gaurav Sharma
Founder & Lead Writer, Wrestling Nightmare
I’ve been hooked on wrestling since childhood—from the Attitude Era to today’s Bloodline saga, plus AEW and TNA. My favorite match of all time is The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2002), and I’ll always stand by Bray Wyatt’s untapped potential.
At Wrestling Nightmare, I break down news, analyze matches, and drop verified recaps. Got a correction or wanna debate? Hit me up at contact@wrestlingnightmare.com
