During a recent conversation on Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker, AEW World Champion MJF reflected on his views about hardcore wrestling matches and highlighted the distinctive qualities of Shane McMahon, Darby Allin, and Mick Foley. While MJF has participated in many intense and brutal matches in his career, he is open about his dislike for this style. He praised Shane McMahon’s ability to captivate fans, drawing parallels to the way Darby Allin and Mick Foley used to command attention with their daring physical performances.
MJF also shared his perspective on wrestling as an entertainment form, suggesting that the industry thrives on variety, comparing it to a carnival filled with diverse acts and styles.
MJF’s Perspective on Why Shane McMahon Captivates Audiences
“Great legacy for Shane McMahon. Not so much for his father, but yeah… I absolutely agree with that. I think it’s — you know, I think to equate somebody to a Shane McMahon in my company, I would actually bring up Darby. Because whenever Darby Allin’s on screen, he’s going to do — much like Mick Foley, too. I don’t know if you remember Mick Foley. When these guys were on screen in their heyday, you had to stay tuned in because you knew they were going to do something absolutely ridiculous with their body physically.”
Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker
MJF’s remarks reveal admiration for performers who push physical limits, noting the suspense they create as viewers await their next extreme move. This aligns Shane McMahon’s style with the fearless approaches of Darby Allin and Mick Foley, establishing a legacy of intense, memorable performances that demand audience attention.
He Shares His Views on the Role of Hardcore Wrestling in the Industry
“It’s not my flavor of ice cream. Yeah, I don’t want any part of that. That s**t is disgusting and painful. Look, professional wrestling in my opinion, it should be like a carnival in the sense that it should be multiple different acts. If everybody walked out there and did the exact same thing, it would be really boring.”
Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker
So I’m a traditionalist. When I go out there, you know you’re going to see a great traditional bold professional wrestling match that’s going to stand out, because what’s old school is new school now, right? Everybody else, probably they wrestle more of this fast-paced style. Then you have your hardcore guys. And you know, I think you need a little bit of everything on a show. And in that sense, I think a Jon Moxley is is important to our company.”
Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker
Though MJF expresses his personal aversion to hardcore match styles, calling them painful and unpleasant, he acknowledges their importance within professional wrestling. He describes himself as a traditionalist who favors classic, skill-based matches but also embraces the diversity of wrestling styles, emphasizing that a mixture of approaches keeps the sport engaging. He cites Jon Moxley as an essential figure representing the hardcore aspect in AEW.
Significance of These Insights for Wrestling and AEW
MJF’s comments reveal the tension between different wrestling philosophies within AEW and the broader wrestling world. His respect for Shane McMahon, Darby Allin, and Mick Foley spotlights performers who take physical risks to create compelling moments, despite MJF’s personal discomfort with such matches. By promoting a balanced showcase of styles, AEW can attract a wider audience while preserving traditional wrestling’s core values. Moving forward, this balance may shape how AEW presents its stars and develops storylines, ensuring there is space for both hard-hitting and classic wrestling techniques.
