AEW President Tony Khan has recently shared his views on MJF’s growing presence in the acting world amid the wrestler’s current absence from AEW to focus on his upcoming film projects. As MJF balances his wrestling commitments with Hollywood opportunities, Khan highlighted the wrestler’s dedication and success outside the ring.
MJF’s Roles in Popular Films Boost His Hollywood Profile
MJF, a former AEW World Champion and one of the company’s standout wrestlers, appeared prominently in the Netflix sequel Happy Gilmore 2, which was released earlier this year. In the film, MJF portrayed one of Happy Gilmore’s four sons, earning attention for his role as the leading and toughest son among the brawling siblings.
Following his defeat to Mark Briscoe at AEW All Out, MJF took a break from wrestling to film Violent Night 2, signaling his ongoing commitment to pursuing acting alongside his AEW career.
Tony Khan Reflects on MJF’s Talent and Backstage Reputation
In an interview with Going Ringside, Tony Khan praised MJF’s ability to juggle both wrestling and acting successfully, noting the positive impression he has made through his film work. Khan remarked on MJF’s notable role in Happy Gilmore 2, calling the movie the most-watched film in America this year and emphasizing MJF’s importance within it.
Tony Khan also addressed MJF’s complicated reputation among AEW wrestlers, pointing out that while many wrestlers dislike him due to his villainous character, there is camaraderie with other notable heels such as Don Callis and Okada. Fan-favorite wrestlers, however, tend to be less fond of MJF.
Khan further described MJF as a hardworking individual and an exceptional wrestling talent who excels when focused, despite sometimes taking shortcuts or bending rules in his pursuit of success. He acknowledged MJF’s deep knowledge of wrestling history and technical skill.
Khan Highlights MJF’s Growth as an Actor
Also, MJF is a student of acting now, and he’s doing a great job with it, he’s filming another movie right now, and for AEW, the executives, we are proud of what MJF is doing, even if he’s not the most popular guy with some of the fans and the other wrestlers. He’s a huge part of AEW and he’s working really hard.
— Tony Khan, AEW President
Implications for MJF’s Future in Wrestling and Acting
MJF’s expanding career in Hollywood illustrates a growing trend of wrestlers bridging the gap between sports entertainment and mainstream media. His commitment to acting projects like Violent Night 2 highlights an evolving professional path that balances both arenas. For AEW, having a high-profile talent succeed in film boosts the company’s visibility and appeal beyond wrestling audiences.
As MJF continues to build his filmography while maintaining his status as a top wrestler, his dual success could pave the way for others in AEW to explore similar opportunities. Tony Khan’s public endorsement signals the company’s support for talent diversification, even if it occasionally leads to temporary absences from wrestling programming. Fans and industry observers will likely watch closely to see how MJF navigates these parallel careers in the coming years.
