AEW: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About MJF

10. He Got His Start IN CMZ

MJF appears to be a standard bearer for traditional wrestling values, wrestling an old fashioned, or classic, style that he refuses to believe has ever really gone out of fashion. “The Salt of the Earth” is a gifted physical athlete and can pull off a jaw dropping move but he picks his moments. MJF only really pulls out a showstopper out of desperation, which makes it all the more meaningful when he does hit that big move.

All of which makes MJF that rarest of beasts, a wrestler appreciated by both the modern, Bucks and Omega loving fan and Jim Cornette. The MJF who graces our screens every Wednesday has no interest in wrestling ultra-violent, light tube strewn bloodbaths. Why would he, when he can hire Nick Gage to do that for him?

It might be a surprise then, to learn that Maxwell found his wrestling feet in the proudly ultra-violent hardcore promotion, Combat Zone Wrestling. It’s the kind of outfit Cornette would dismiss as “garbage wrestling” but MJF once held their world title.

While some feel the weapons, violence and chaos of CZW provide short cuts for those who lack craft, they’ve actually given years of formative experience to some great talent. MJF was able to hone his skills in CZW rings and the same violent proving ground gave us Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston.

Perhaps the violent spirit of CZW informed MJF’s gruesome dog collar clash with CM Punk…