Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), the AEW World Champion, recently responded to Tama Tonga’s use of the Hidden Blade finisher on WWE SmackDown, sparking renewed tension around the move famously associated with Will Ospreay. The comments emerged amid ongoing rivalries involving several wrestling stars and discussions about who executes the Hidden Blade most effectively.
Background on the Hidden Blade Rivalry and Ospreay’s Status
Tama Tonga, a prominent figure on WWE SmackDown, has been applying the Hidden Blade finish since last year. Will Ospreay, the former AEW International Champion and known as The Aerial Assassin, has used the same maneuver for multiple years. Despite his current absence due to neck surgery, promotions in Jacksonville have hinted at Ospreay’s impending return. Fans have debated for some time which wrestler delivers the Hidden Blade with superior precision, especially after Tonga pinned Carmelo Hayes with the move on a recent SmackDown episode.
In a recent social media interaction, Tonga dismissed the challenge of mastering the Hidden Blade as “taking candy from a baby,” directly implying his dominance over the move’s execution. MJF quickly responded on X/Twitter with a sharp jab at Ospreay’s ability.
“HELL YEAH OSPREAY SUCKS,” he wrote.
MJF’s Longstanding Criticism of Will Ospreay’s Wrestling Persona
Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s disdain for Will Ospreay extends beyond this brief exchange. Their rivalry has been marked by public verbal clashes, with MJF repeatedly criticizing Ospreay’s approach and mindset. On the Busted Open Podcast, MJF pointedly remarked on what he perceives as Ospreay’s lack of the “killer instinct” necessary to reach the pinnacle of professional wrestling.
“As much as it pains me to say it, Will Ospreay, much like me, is the complete package. But do you know what the difference is? The difference is he lacks a killer instinct. Swerve [Strickland] pointed it out, now I’m pointing it out, the man will never be a top guy in this industry until he stops being a gutless little worm. To be honest, I think the reason he is a gutless little worm is because he’s from the United Kingdom. These people are built different, and the way they are built is s**t,” MJF said.
This harsh commentary reflects the ongoing tension between AEW and WWE talent, amplified by personal rivalries and competition for industry dominance. Ospreay’s recovery timeline remains unclear, but his return is highly anticipated by fans and wrestlers alike, potentially setting the stage for these conflicts to play out in the ring.
The Significance of the Hidden Blade Debate and What it Means Going Forward
The debate over who best performs the Hidden Blade finisher encapsulates wider disputes about in-ring skill and professional respect between wrestlers across competing promotions. Tama Tonga’s confident use of the move on SmackDown and MJF’s public criticisms highlight how signature moves can become focal points for rivalry and fan engagement in wrestling storylines.
With Will Ospreay’s expected comeback, tensions are likely to escalate further, as fans and wrestlers await a resolution to this feud that blends personal dislike with professional competition. How MJF and Ospreay’s narratives develop will impact AEW and WWE dynamics, keeping the wrestling community closely watching future developments.
🗣️ HELL YEAH OSPREAY SUCKS
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) February 18, 2026
