All Elite Wrestling and its president Tony Khan have faced sharp criticism over their talent booking, most recently from former WWE star Bully Ray. He described AEW’s product as unfocused and claimed Khan lacks the skills of a true booker. These remarks sparked a measured yet pointed reply from AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), who addressed the comments through social media.
MJF questioned the value of Bully Ray’s opinion, drawing a comparison to unrelated sports figures. He wrote,
“Imagine if Anthony Bennett did a podcast criticizing the NBA and its players. Imagine if John Gochnaur did a podcast criticizing the MLB and its players. Would you take their opinions into account? Wrestling fans. I urge you, I know it’s hard for ya. stop being dumb. Thx.”
—Maxwell Jacob Friedman, AEW World Champion
Past Feuds and Lingering Jabs Between MJF and Cody Rhodes
Though MJF currently defends All Elite Wrestling, he has not softened his stance towards some of his former colleagues. In particular, he recently took a veiled shot at Cody Rhodes, with whom he had a high-profile rivalry during their time together in AEW. MJF revisited the milestone 2018 All In event, which helped launch his career, reminding fans of Rhodes’s role in inviting him to join that moment.
Through a social media post replying to Cody Rhodes, MJF subtly criticized the former AEW star, keeping their contentious dynamic alive despite Rhodes’s departure. This indicates MJF’s ongoing readiness to engage with former rivals while staunchly backing the company he now represents.
Significance of the Exchanges and Impact on AEW
The clash between Bully Ray’s commentary and MJF’s defense highlights ongoing tensions around Tony Khan AEW Booking Criticism. Such public disputes emphasize the scrutiny AEW faces from veterans and fans alike over its creative direction. MJF’s stand in defense of Khan signals strong internal support from key wrestlers, which could help stabilize the company’s image amid growing dissent.
Moving forward, how Tony Khan adjusts his booking strategy in response to this wave of criticism will be closely watched, as AEW aims to solidify its position in the wrestling world. Meanwhile, the interactions between current and former stars like MJF and Cody Rhodes keep the drama alive both on-screen and off, ensuring continued attention on AEW’s development.
