AEW World Champion MJF recently shared his experience following Adam Cole’s severe ankle injury in September 2023, revealing how the setback disrupted their highly anticipated “Better Than You Bay-Bay” storyline. MJF admitted that both he and the fans faced a challenging time as plans for the partnership unraveled unexpectedly.
This difficult period coincided with the conclusion of MJF’s initial world title reign at the Worlds End pay-per-view in December 2023, where he dropped the championship to Samoa Joe. During this stretch, MJF acknowledged he grappled with losing a significant on-screen ally and, consequently, struggled to recognize his own identity within AEW’s landscape.
MJF’s Personal Struggles and Uncertainty During Recovery
MJF described the months following Cole’s injury as one of profound personal and professional uncertainty.
“I was the drizzling shits for three months after Adam Cole broke his ankle because I was dealing with the loss of a friendship, I was dealing with the loss of knowing who I was as a performer. On multiple levels, I didn’t know who I was anymore for three months,”
he admitted. Even though he had previously established himself as a premier draw and a top “bell-to-bell” competitor, that challenging phase left a lasting impression on him.
Resurgence as AEW Champion and Renewed Focus
Since returning to the ring and capturing the AEW World Championship for a second time, MJF sees this chapter as a pivotal moment for both himself and the audience. He believes the fans who may have distanced themselves during his earlier absence are now re-engaged, encouraged by what he calls the “best version” of himself coming to the forefront. MJF expressed confidence about his longevity, asserting that despite his elite status, he envisions at least two more decades of success ahead.
In a candid statement, MJF said,
“Let’s talk names of top guys right now… CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Jey Uso. I think you people know where I’m going with this, I’m the youngest top guy by a fucking landslide. I got 20 more years of greatness, I will go down as the greatest of all time. I need this belt to prove that. But you know who else feels that way? Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Andrade, Darby Allin, Swerve Strickland, Brody King, this list goes on and on. The reason that our product is must see right now is because we all want to be the goat. The fucking simple fact of the matter is I’m the Michael Jordan of this generation. These other people, they can be Shaq, they can be Penny, they can have fun. Only one person gets to be MJ, I’m MJ,”
he said.
Recent Championship Success and Upcoming Challenges
MJF secured his second AEW World Championship at the Worlds End pay-per-view in December 2025 by defeating Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and “Hangman” Adam Page in a four-way match. Since reclaiming the title, he has successfully defended the championship against competitors such as Bandido and Alec Price.
His next significant challenge is scheduled for the Revolution pay-per-view, where MJF will defend his title against “Hangman” Adam Page. This match carries a high-stakes stipulation: if Page is defeated, he will lose all future rights to contend for the AEW World Championship. Page earned this title shot by overcoming Andrade El Ídolo at Grand Slam Australia on February 14, adding further anticipation to their upcoming bout.
The Broader Significance of MJF’s Journey
MJF’s reflections on the aftermath of Adam Cole’s ankle injury highlight the emotional and professional toll injuries can take on performers and their narratives in wrestling. His candidness about self-doubt and reinvention underscores the pressures faced by top stars in maintaining relevance and competitiveness. With his current AEW World Championship run and a critical match looming, MJF is positioned to reaffirm his status within AEW and potentially reshape the company’s main event scene in the coming years.
