After being on the wrong side none, but two shocking moments Earlier in 2026, AEW’s MJF decided to be on the right side of a surprise, shocking everyone. appearing this morning at a new Japan event via video package to challenge G1 Climax winner Ryohei Oiwa. And while it wasn’t hard to figure out what MJF’s motivations were behind his challenge, the former AEW Men’s World Champion made it clear: when he released a statement to Fightful, who posted it on X late Wednesday morning.
“I have to make a statement about why I do business with New Japan,” MJF said. “It’s a simple one I’d like to publish. I want to prove that New Japan is not a real company. I want to prove that I am the headlock master. But most of all, I want to annoy Puro Twitter.”
MJF has long held a grudge against New Japan even after the promotion began working with AEW, particularly before his Forbidden Door 2023 match with Hiroshi Tanahashi. He took a shot at the promotion during his promo, calling NJPW “second rate,” while noting the number of stars that have left NJPW over the past few years. While MJF was kinder to Oiwa in the promo, he previously disputed the G1 winners’ use of the hat to win the tournamentin part because MJF used the headlock range to win several matches against challenger Darby Allyn.
Although Oiwa accepted the challenge, it is unclear when he and MJF will face off, as Oiwa is set to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship this Monday at King of Pro-Wrestling. If it happens soon, it will be MJF’s first match since AEW All In, when he failed to secure the AEW World Title at Casino Gauntlet, which was won by rival Andrade El Idolo.
