MJF is back, and Tony Khan says it's the best thing for AEW.
The Dynamite Diamond Ring winner had been absent since he cut a heated promo directed at Khan on the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite. After this promo, he was removed from AEW's online roster and shop. He finally returned at AEW All Out, where he was revealed as The Joker, who won the Casino Ladder Match for a future world title shot. At the end of the show, he confronted AEW World Champion CM Punk moments after the latter regained the title by beating Jon Moxley.
During a media scrum after the pay-per-view, Khan, alongside Punk, was asked about MJF's return and the timing of it.
"I’m the one who asked him to comeback because MJF is a big star in this company, this is one of the biggest events. A year ago, CM Punk debuted here, and I thought it was right for the fans. For the fans, I thought the best thing we could do as a company is bring MJF back," Khan said.
Punk chimed in by saying, "He wants me to work with pricks constantly, that’s what it is"
Khan continued by saying, "Nevertheless, two of the top wrestlers in the world, MJF and CM Punk. It’ll be a big match down the line."
Khan was asked about the way that MJF got cheered upon his return and the way that could affect the psychology of a match with Punk. In response, he stated that he thinks fans want to see great matches between top stars, and he's not worried about the aforementioned reaction.
"I think the fans want to see great wrestling matches. MJF is a top wrestler, CM Punk is the world champion and the top wrestler in the world. Having top contenders, whoever came out of this match, MJF sets up as a great challenger and now CM Punk is the world champion. MJF being back, a lot of fans were excited to see it. Anytime somebody makes a comeback, you get a big reaction. Am I worried about it, not really? We have one of the most charismatic, popular wrestlers in the world and fans can react how they want. This is a really compelling story, people were emotionally moved. People were calling that a great ending and I’m really glad people liked it. The fact is, it was a great match, it was a great ending, and now we'll see what happens on Wednesday," Khan said.
Punk later discussed how he's tired of wrestling "kids that think they know everything", bu he's not the boss. He noted that MJF is very talented, though he also emphasized that the grass is not greener on the other side, clearly referencing MJF's previous teases that he'll test the open market when his contract is up.
"I'm tired of wrestling these pricks. I’m tired of wrestling these kids that think they know everything, but I’m not the boss. He won a number one contendership and I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. I think Max is a supremely talented individual, but this goes to him and anybody else in the locker room that doesn’t want to be here; the grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it. Max likes to shit where he eats instead of watering the grass. We’ll have to see how that goes," Punk said.
As reported by Fightful Select, MJF was previously frustrated about his contract status with the company. More information is available here.
Catch up on our coverage of AEW All Out by clicking here.
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