Ex-WWE star reacts after MJF takes a huge shot at AEW champion at Holiday Bash

Former AEW World Champion MJF made his surprise return to the company and immediately inserted himself into the title picture. The landscape of AEW changed drastically during this week's Holiday Bash edition of Dynamite.

Friedman had taken some time off from wrestling to focus on his acting career. Recent reports stated that the star was away filming for a movie, Violent Night 2. The movie is set for a December 2026 release. However, the star showed up in Manchester, UK, this week, much to the surprise of fans and the AEW locker room.

The AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, "Hangman" Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland were in the ring for their contract signing segment. However, MJF showed up and interrupted the contract signing. He executed his Casino Gauntlet contract, making the upcoming matchup a four-way. He then berated the other competitors. Friedman destroyed Strickland on the mic, referencing his WWE career. The star detailed that it was a good plan for Swerve to join WWE, but he barely did anything and played second fiddle to Top Dolla, also known as AJ Francis.

Francis took notice of his name being mentioned on TV and shared his reaction on social media. The former Hit Row member tweeted a "handshake" emoji acknowledging Maxwell's promo.

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MJF ripped into Swerve Strickland about his WWE career

This week, MJF came back with some choice words for Swerve Strickland. He laid on the former AEW Champion, picking on his problems with WWE back in the day.

Friedman called Strickland a terrible rapper and compared him to P. Diddy. The star called out Swerve's past, claiming things didn't work out for him in WWE, and he had to dance alongside Top Dolla as part of Hit Row.

Friedman will now join Strickland, Adam Page, and champion Samoa Joe in a huge fatal four-way match for the AEW Championship at World End on December 27.

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Edited by Prityush Haldar