MJF Returns, Joins AEW Worlds End Title Match

On December 17, 2025, All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite Holiday Bash from Manchester, United Kingdom, delivered high drama as former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman returned after a three-month absence, inserting himself into the promotion's marquee title contention ahead of Worlds End on December 27.

Friedman, known as MJF, interrupted a contract signing between champion Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland for their scheduled triple-threat match at the pay-per-view event. By cashing in a guaranteed title shot he earned at All In Texas in July, MJF transformed the bout into a fatal four-way, positioning himself for a potential second reign as champion. His appearance marked the first time he had been seen on AEW programming since losing to Mark Briscoe in a Tables and Tacks match at All Out on September 20. During his time away, Friedman completed filming for the action film Violent Night 2, slated for a December 2026 theatrical release.

AEW officials confirmed that Friedman will return to in-ring competition even sooner, facing an opponent to be named on the December 24 episode of Dynamite on 34th Street, airing on Christmas Eve. This match will serve as...