According to MJF, tribalism is not nearly as common in the locker rooms as it is among fans.
Since All Elite Wrestling’s inception in 2019, fans of AEW and WWE have often clashed on social media over their favourite promotion, and while some talent has taken the occasional shot at the rival company, one major AEW star says that hostility does not carry over into the locker rooms.
Speaking to Rolling Stone AU/NZ ahead of AEW’s return to Australia next month, MJF was asked whether wrestlers share the same tribalism as fans when it comes to AEW and WWE, and he said that could not be further from the truth.
“As far as Adam Copeland, Jon Moxley, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, these guys aren’t turning around and saying ‘F that other company.’ They’re not in real life. I’m sorry. They’re just looking for a place to hang their hat. And then you have certain guys who feel very passionate about the company they’re in, and they would never want to leave, you know? Everybody’s different. Everybody looks at professional wrestling different. Some people look at it as, I love professional wrestling, but I love money more, so I’m gonna go to this place. Some people care more about the creative side of things and feeling free as both an entertainer, an artist, and as a professional athlete. What I will say is there’s no bad blood between the boys in the companies. It just doesn’t exist.”
-MJF
AEW Grand Slam: Australia is set to take place on February 14 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, with Kenny Omega, Adam Page, Andrade El Idolo, and Swerve Strickland all currently vying to face MJF for the AEW World Championship at the event.
Last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite saw former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa make his AEW debut following his departure from WWE. Meanwhile, Powerhouse Hobbs is reportedly on his way to WWE under the name ‘Royce Keys’, while Chris Jericho’s status remains uncertain ahead of this weekend’s Royal Rumble.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on all things AEW and WWE as soon as we hear more.
