10 Wrestlers Whose Stock Has Risen In 2019
9. MJF
Before AEW came along, Maxwell Jacob Friedman was labelled The Miz-lite. In MLW and CZW, he showed flashes of potential without a big stage to work on, and that held him back slightly. A few years ago, pre-AEW, he'd be considered a dead cert to be hired by WWE.
The industry is different in 2019 however, and that works to MJF's advantage.
In All Elite, he has time to flourish sans pressure to outgrow a developmental territory like NXT and move up to the main roster. He's on the main roster now, and working a neat spot on the undercard of AEW pay-per-views. By the time the company launch their weekly TV show, the audience will be well-accustomed to his heel banter and want to see him in a proper feud.
That's a great spot to be in, and it represents progression for one of the brightest young talents to come along in years. Forget being upset about any Miz comparisons. Those are complimentary to MJF, because he's already being compared to one of wrestling's best all-rounders.