AEW CEO and President Tony Khan is facing growing concerns as star wrestler MJF prepares to take on a significant role outside the wrestling promotion. With key wrestlers already sidelined due to injuries, Khan’s Jacksonville-based company risks losing more of its top performers as MJF commits to a major film project.
AEW Grapples with Injuries Amid MJF’s Expanding Career
Several AEW wrestlers are currently dealing with health setbacks, which has already thinned the roster. Will Ospreay is set for surgery on two herniated discs in his neck after being written off TV following an attack by The Death Riders at the Forbidden Door event. Similarly, Swerve Strickland will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus that he has battled for six years. Kenny Omega is also sidelined, missing the All Out event in Canada due to ongoing hospital visits.
Now, MJF’s plans to act in a film add to Tony Khan’s worries about the stability of AEW’s lineup. MJF has been cast alongside influencer Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor in the upcoming Christmas action comedy Violent Night 2, featuring David Harbour and produced by Universal Pictures and 87North. The movie is scheduled for release across the United States on December 4, 2026.
With MJF potentially absent due to filming, Khan must consider refreshing AEW’s roster. Options for new talent include young wrestlers like Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, HOOK, Nick Wayne, and Daniel Garcia, who could help sustain the company’s competitive edge.
MJF’s Previous Roles in Film While Under AEW Contract
This upcoming movie is not MJF’s first foray into acting while signed with AEW. In 2023, he portrayed Lance Von Erich, a fictional member of the renowned wrestling Von Erich family, in The Iron Claw, a film about the legendary wrestling clan. Earlier, in 2021, MJF appeared in Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to the 1996 cult hit, playing Gordie Gilmore, the son of Adam Sandler’s character. The film was released on Netflix on July 24, 2024.
Challenges Facing Tony Khan and AEW’s Future
As MJF continues to pursue opportunities outside wrestling, Tony Khan’s responsibility to keep AEW relevant and competitive grows more complex. The company’s thinning roster, due to injuries and external commitments, puts pressure on Khan to accelerate the development and promotion of emerging stars. How well AEW adapts to these challenges will likely influence its standing in the wrestling world and its ability to maintain fan engagement in coming years.
