Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has never shied away from discussing his Hollywood aspirations. After a brief appearance in the 2023 film The Iron Claw, he is set to take on a bigger role in Netflix’s upcoming Happy Gilmore 2. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, MJF opened up about his acting career, how it benefits AEW, and his long-term future in wrestling.
MJF on How Acting Helps AEW
MJF strongly believes that his success in Hollywood will directly help AEW grow. He pointed out that as his fame increases, more people will look him up online, leading them to discover AEW. He explained that casual fans who may have watched wrestling as kids could be drawn back in after seeing him in major movies.
“Tony Khan — while he is a mark, he’s not a dumb mark,” MJF said. “He’s obviously aware of the fact that the bigger I build my name, the more people who are going to Google search me and go, ‘MJF, AEW, what’s AEW? All Elite Wrestling? I used to watch wrestling as a kid. TBS, Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Alright, I’ll give it a shot.’ And that’s the power that I bring to the table.”
This suggests that MJF sees his Hollywood journey as a win-win situation for both himself and AEW, helping the company reach a broader audience.
Will MJF Leave Wrestling for Acting?
While MJF is committed to his acting career, he reassured fans that he isn’t planning to leave wrestling behind anytime soon. However, he did hint that he has a specific point in mind for retirement from full-time wrestling, which would likely happen in his 40s.
“I most certainly have a hard out,” MJF stated. “However, hard out to me means I’m not going to be on weekly TV, right? But it doesn’t mean that I can’t come back to pop a crowd, to pop the boys, to sell some tickets, to sell some merch. That, I don’t think, ever goes away if you love this.”
This means that while he may step away from full-time competition, he would still make occasional appearances, similar to how other wrestling legends have done in the past.
MJF on Wrestling Legends Returning to the Ring
MJF referenced the comebacks of stars like Adam Copeland (Edge), Christian Cage, Bryan Danielson, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, pointing out that none of them returned to wrestling because they needed money. Instead, they did it because they loved the business.
His comments suggest that even after transitioning more into acting, wrestling will always hold a special place in his heart. Fans can expect to see him continue entertaining, whether in the ring or on the big screen.
MJF’s growing Hollywood career is not just a personal achievement but also an opportunity for AEW to gain more exposure. While he does have a long-term plan for stepping away from full-time wrestling, he has no intention of completely leaving the industry. His love for the sport means fans will likely see him return for special moments, even after he focuses more on acting. Whether in movies or wrestling, MJF’s star power continues to rise, and both industries stand to benefit.
FAQs
Will MJF leave AEW for Hollywood?
MJF has no immediate plans to leave AEW permanently. While he is pursuing acting, he believes it helps AEW grow by bringing in new viewers.
How does MJF’s acting career help AEW?
MJF’s Hollywood success increases his visibility, leading more people to search for him online, discover AEW, and potentially become fans of wrestling.
When will MJF retire from wrestling?
MJF hinted he plans to retire from full-time wrestling in his 40s but will still make special appearances.
Will MJF continue wrestling while acting?
Yes, MJF intends to balance both acting and wrestling. He may not appear weekly on AEW but will still wrestle occasionally.
What movies has MJF acted in?
MJF appeared in *The Iron Claw* (2023) and will have a bigger role in Netflix’s *Happy Gilmore 2*.C
