AEW star MJF explains how he revived a lost art in the modern era of pro wrestling: 'I am not a character'
MJF, a prominent AEW star, emphasizes that he is not a character but rather himself, 24/7. He believes that modern wrestling has strayed from the emotional investment that fans seek, and he aims to create genuine resentment as a performer. MJF's approach has made him one of wrestling's most compelling figures, as he challenges the industry's trend of separating the performer from the person.
- ▪MJF believes he is not a character and is himself all the time.
- ▪He aims to create genuine resentment from the audience rather than just performing stunts.
- ▪MJF's commitment to his persona has made him a defining star in AEW.
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| Original publisher | CBS Sports |
| Canonical URL | https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/mjf-aew-double-or-nothing-kayfabe/ |
| Publication time | Fri, 22 May 2026 14:47:37 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-22T15:02:02.404Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-22T15:02:02.404Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
MJF doesn't believe he's playing a character. Not really."A lot of wrestling fans will say the word kayfabe, even though they have no idea what it means," MJF told CBS Sports ahead of AEW Double or Nothing on Sunday. "The fact of the matter is, I am not a character, I am not kayfabe. I am MJF, 24/7."For more than a decade, Maxwell Jacob Friedman has carried himself as a narcissistic loudmouth whether or not the cameras are rolling. He slings insults at co-workers, competitors, interviewers and fans without prejudice. In an era where many wrestlers openly separate the performer from the person, MJF built his career in the opposite direction.That philosophy traces back to MJF's earliest days in wrestling.
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