Matt Hardy has made a bold declaration about MJF’s place in AEW history. Speaking on the latest episode of the Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy was asked whether MJF could be considered a generational talent. Hardy did not hesitate.
“I mean, you certainly could. Especially with AEW. He stands out. When you ask me who is the best heel in AEW, I think MJF stands out head and shoulders above everybody else. I think he’s the greatest homegrown talent in AEW that they’ve had,” Hardy said.
Hardy went deeper on what separates MJF from other heels in the current wrestling landscape, saying his willingness to fully commit to being hated is the key ingredient behind his success.
“Max is just so committed to the bit. He’s committed to the stick. We are living in a period where a lot of heels are afraid to be hated. They’re afraid to say the things that might make people online upset or mad. When you can let go of that, and relinquish your fear of being an asshole, as I’ve said in the past, that’s when success comes. And Max is great with that. He is really smart. The way he plays social media is real smart. The way he interacts, the lines he chooses to say. He’s very good at being selective with the right material. He doesn’t say stuff that is too over the top, or stuff that would cross the line, as far as being inappropriate. I think Max has really, really done well with that, and he’s mastered it,” Hardy said.
Hardy also noted that MJF’s in-ring ability often gets overlooked because his persona dominates the conversation.
“He is a great wrestler, but what makes him so good is that people don’t think about his great pro wrestling first. They think about how much of a villain, how much of a dickhead, how much of a menace he is to people. Just, would you please shut the fuck up? That’s the sentiment, and that’s what you want to leave them with. And then they know when he’s going to get on the mic, he’s going to go out there and crucify someone, talk shit to him, talk trash. He’s great at it. He’s a master of it. And especially being as young as he is, with so little experience, people forget that he is this great wrestler. The fact that he really takes such great pride in being hated and being looked at as a villain and a piece of shit, that’s where he’s making his money,” Hardy said.
MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Kenny Omega at AEW Dynasty on April 12 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Extreme Life of Matt Hardy with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
