10 Most Shocking 2023 Wrestler Transformations
5. MJF
The fans were ready to cheer MJF when he returned from his Brian Pillman-inspired hiatus last year. He teased going in this direction, but it was a convoluted ruse designed to outsmart Jon Moxley and, with William Regal's help, claim his AEW World title.
The idea of MJF turning babyface was so improbable that, when he did, nobody believed him. That is how shocking the transformation was. MJF had played a loathsome, inveterate sociopath so convincingly that, when he turned face in 2023, people wondered what game he was playing.
When was he going to turn on Adam Cole?
Was he secretly aligned with Roderick Strong?
Was his simple, interactive style as a babyface too performative - as in, was he doing an impression of playing a good guy?
In actuality, MJF had simply turned babyface, but he did so in a way that elevated what, fundamentally, is a stupid narrative device. Turning into a good or bad person is a daft thing, one that ignores the long spectrum of actual human emotion and behaviour, but MJF to his credit agonised over the decision and at times didn't think himself capable of actually being decent and making a real connection with somebody.
MJF was heavily criticised throughout the year for doing "WWE" things in AEW, but his approach to the turn was much more sophisticated than his detractors gave him credit for.