On the August 20 episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF delivered a startling threat to set Mark Briscoe on fire, an incident that has sparked intense reactions just days before Forbidden Door. This threat occurred during the buildup to MJF’s AEW World Championship match against Hangman Adam Page, scheduled for August 24, heightening the tension around their confrontation.
Leading up to the match, Hangman Adam Page appeared to hold an advantage by urging MJF to cash in his Casino Gauntlet title opportunity, making their championship bout official. However, MJF set strict terms during Dynamite, demanding that disqualifications and count-outs could result in a title change and clarifying that he would not be using his title shot, yet would still compete for the championship nonetheless.
MJF Clarifies Motives Behind Threat Against Mark Briscoe
In an interview with VICE, MJF addressed his controversial words and the motivations behind them. He insisted that the threat was not genuine and expressed frustration at being provoked into making statements he did not truly believe.
“You have to understand my point here. This guy, he didn’t just threaten to set Swerve’s house on fire. He did it,”
MJF said, referencing actions he condemns.
He continued,
“And here’s little ‘ol MJF, this cowboy schmuck is super rude to me and convinces me to say something that I don’t believe in, saying that I’m gonna execute my contract out of anger. Which again, rude.”
MJF emphasized that he never followed through on the threat, distinguishing himself from Hangman Adam Page by stating,
“Did you see me light him on fire? Nope, I didn’t. ’cause I’m not a bad person like Hangman Adam Page. I’m not an arsonist, like Hangman Adam Page. I’m simply just trying to put a magnifying glass over everybody’s quaint little cute hero. He’s not a good person.”
Ending the Feud with Mark Briscoe
Regarding his current relationship with Mark Briscoe, MJF clarified that any hostility had concluded following their recent match.
“But also, I have no beef with Mark Briscoe anymore. I beat Mark Briscoe clean, smack down the middle of the ring on Dynamite. It’s over. Mark Briscoe was a little chess piece because here’s the deal, cowboys, they play checkers. MJF, the white-collar badass, plays chess.” —MJF, AEW Wrestler
This statement underlines MJF‘s approach to the storyline, positioning himself as a strategic thinker above his rivals, including Briscoe and Page.
Implications for AEW’s Championship Scene Ahead of Forbidden Door
MJF’s provocative posture and demands complicate the dynamics around the upcoming AEW World Championship match with Hangman Adam Page. By imposing unusual stipulations, such as counting disqualifications and count-outs toward title changes, MJF is raising the stakes significantly, which may affect how fans view the contest’s fairness and intensity.
With the Forbidden Door event approaching, MJF’s tactics reflect the heightened tensions permeating AEW’s championship storyline, setting a stage for a fiercely contested match on August 24. The focus is now on how these developments will influence the championship’s future and the rivalries within AEW.
