MJF has made his importance to AEW clear, claiming that the promotion would likely fail if he ever decided to depart. Speaking with Denise Salcedo, the reigning AEW World Champion addressed his long-term future with the company, noting that he is the “tippy top act” required for a viable alternative to exist in professional wrestling.
“You can’t say never in wrestling. It’s pro wrestling. Somebody who I hate once said they would never go there, and they went there, so you never know. But if you ask me my honest, genuine opinion, All Elite Wrestling is my company. I’m the biggest star this company has. I’m the star this company needs. If I leave, this company is f*cking done, if we’re just being honest.”
Hollywood Presence and Mainstream Buzz
MJF attributed AEW’s current success in 2026 to his ability to transcend the “wrestling bubble” through various acting roles. According to the champion, his mainstream visibility is the primary driver behind the promotion’s growth over the last year.
“Nobody creates as much buzz as me. Nobody is as big of a draw as me. Nobody is as good as me in the ring or on the microphone, so I don’t think it would be conducive to the sport of professional wrestling, which frankly whether I want to admit it or not, I love very much. If I want there to be an alternative, the alternative needs to have a tippy top act that has managed to get his name outside of the wrestling bubble.
You’re looking at a guy who was in the most streamed Netflix movie of all time. You’re looking at a guy who’s got a Universal movie coming out in December, Violent Night 2, and I have a lot of things I can’t talk about at this moment that are also irons in the fire in Hollywood. So things are big right now, and I’m proud to be, unequivocally, the reason that AEW is so successful in 2026.”
Defending the Crown at Revolution 2026
MJF’s comments come at a critical time as he prepares to defend the AEW World Championship against “Hangman” Adam Page this Sunday, March 15. The match, a “Last Chance” Texas Death Match, carries a big stipulation: if Page loses, he can never challenge for the world title again.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Denise Salcedo with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
