AEW World Champion MJF recently reflected on not having the opportunity for a John Cena match, candidly stating his feelings just before his AEW World Championship win at AEW World’s End. His comments shed light on what the matchup would have meant, both for him personally and for wrestling fans who anticipated such a showdown.
MJF Reflects on Missed Opportunity with John Cena
Prior to capturing the AEW World Championship, MJF shared his views about John Cena in an interview on Mostly Sports with Brandon Walker. Responding to whether he regretted missing a singles match with the WWE legend, MJF offered immediate confirmation of his disappointment:
“Yes, absolutely. I think that there is a different world where that match would have happened. Unfortunately, it’s not this one.”
— MJF, AEW World Champion
Although the high-profile John Cena match never materialized, MJF expressed deep respect for Cena. The two have crossed paths on several occasions, and MJF recounted his positive experiences with Cena:
“I’ve had so many incredible run-ins with John where we’ve shot the sh*t. He’s an incredible guy. He watches our product, he’s seen my stuff. He was very complimentary. Obviously, I’m super complimentary to him.”
— MJF, AEW World Champion
The AEW champion also revealed that John Cena was significant in his early love for wrestling, even before his admiration for CM Punk. MJF described how Cena’s presence was a daily inspiration during his childhood:
“I’ve said it before in other interviews, but before CM Punk, my favorite wrestler growing up as a kid was John Cena. He was a Fathead on my wall in my bedroom. So I’d wake up, salute the OG, and then get ready for school.”
— MJF, AEW World Champion
In late 2023, MJF and John Cena attracted attention when they appeared together at The Iron Claw film premiere, an event that highlighted their mutual respect. Cena later praised MJF’s professionalism during an interview after the premiere.
MJF’s Drive to Be the Greatest in Wrestling History
Beyond his reflections on a possible John Cena match, MJF remains focused on building his own legacy. In a separate interview with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, he spoke about his ambitions and the standards he sets for himself in AEW and the wider wrestling world. He explained that mere inclusion among top talents is insufficient for him:
“Now, when people think about professional wrestling in 2025, the names that come up, am I one of them? Yeah, no f*ing st. But that’s not enough for me. I need to go down as the greatest of all time,”
— Friedman, AEW World Champion
“I need to go down as a generational talent, as a guy who led my generation for years to come. AEW had me in my 20s. They’re about to have me in my 30s.”
— Friedman, AEW World Champion
He further emphasized that while his achievements are considerable for his age, personal satisfaction hinges on winning rather than just delivering quality performances in the ring:
“Have I accomplished more than anybody has in that period of time? Probably. But I’m not satiated. That was my biggest thing that I realized after the Mark Briscoe match. I just was not satiated. It’s not okay to just have a good outing. I need to win.”
— Friedman, AEW World Champion
Looking Forward: MJF’s Journey in AEW
MJF’s comments highlight his ongoing pursuit of wrestling greatness, particularly as he approaches a new decade in his career with AEW. While the much-anticipated John Cena match MJF hoped for may never occur, his drive and ambitions continue to shape AEW’s narrative and standards. Fans can look forward to MJF building further upon his legacy, with both his missed opportunities and relentless pursuit of victory making his story a compelling part of modern wrestling.
Iron Claw pic.twitter.com/h3zmtOhpbC
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) December 12, 2023
