MJF Discusses His Influences, Being Hated “For The Right Reasons”

All Elite Wrestling’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) was recently interviewed by local Florida newspaper, News Chief. During the interview, MJF took the opportunity to discuss his mentality when it comes to pro wrestling, portraying a loathsome heel, and which wrestling legends he has drawn inspiration from.

MJF recalled how, growing up, he loved all of the performers that most people hated. From Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Buddy Landel to “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He highlighted how his “biggest inspiration would be the Hot Rod.”

Like those that pushed the envelope before him, MFJ is willing to throw himself wholeheartedly into being hated. He explained how, “If there’s a line that people make, I hop over it as far as I can.”

He continued, “No one can tell me how to do my job. I’ve had people jump guardrails, try to stab me, throw (urine) on me, throw batteries. All that means is I’m being myself. The issue isn’t me, it’s everybody else.”

MJF Wants To Be Hated “For The Right Reasons”

Despite not caring if fans boo him, MJF is adamant that people should dislike him for the “right reasons,” pointing to his former mentor, Cody Rhodes, claiming that Rhodes is a “sociopathic monster.”

“I want them to boo me for the right reasons,” he said. “Cody is a sociopathic monster. He’s been on a blood rage since AEW started by trying to make himself the face of AEW. I saved them from a Ghengis Khan, and I gave them a face everybody could love.”

One legend that MJF is eager to learn from is Ring of Honor’s Bully Ray. Despite his willingness to listen to Bully Ray, however, that doesn’t mean MJF is open to advice from just anybody. MJF likened some veterans to old dogs, saying “They want to be fed treats to feel important.”

When it comes to those few he does regard, he noted how he simply wants to “use them” and “when they die I will not care, and I’m going to make sure the business is in good hands.”