AEW could lose MJF for nearly a year. Maxwell Jacob Friedman has been working through two notable injuries but he may be at the point where he can no longer work through them. Let's look at the latest report on MJF's physical condition and just how long AEW could go without him.

Dave Meltzer is reporting on MJF's physical condition and how long he could be out of action. Meltzer discussed the injuries the former AEW World Champion had to wrestle with during his title defense at the recent Worlds End pay-per-view:

MJF worked the match in great pain with his torn labrum, as well as hip injury from the crazy elbow drop off the top rope to the floor in the Jay White match at Full Gear. The shoulder injury is the most serious. He’s hoping to have it heal through rehab rather than surgery, because surgery would put him out for months, and he was told perhaps close to a year, which he wants to avoid. But long-term, he’s young and getting this as fixed long-term could be a lot better than it constantly being a problem for the rest of his career. As of now, he and doctors will determine what direction he tries.

8 January 2024 Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An Ironic Situation

If MJF is sidelined for a long time, it will come at a time when AEW reportedly planned on working a storyline of MJF being a free agent and looking to negotiate a new deal with AEW. The storyline could play through when MJF returns with AEW, stating it added time to his contract, but by then, it's likely to be obvious to even casual fans that MJF re-signed with AEW a while back. It's already been reported that the WWE believes MJF has signed an extension with AEW.

There's also the storyline involving Adam Cole and MJF. If MJF is sidelined for nearly a year, AEW will have to work hard to rekindle the heat between Cole and MJF following Cole's betrayal. It's possible to do but fans may no longer be invested in it.

Does AEW Need to Step In?

AEW may need to develop a stronger policy regarding its wrestlers working hurt. MJF isn't the first AEW World Champion to work with several notable injuries. Former champ Kenny Omega worked through his own assortment of ailments during his title reign, doing everything possible to work through the pain. Omega finally was forced to take a lengthy absence as he needed surgery.

Professional wrestling has always had a "the show must go on" mentality, including wrestlers being expected to work through nagging injuries. However, wrestling has also evolved to the point where there is better medical care available on-site, and wrestlers can have access to some of the best doctors and rehab therapists. Nonetheless, many wrestlers seem to think they are weak for taking time off.

The good news is that AEW has a deep roster, which means it has opportunities for other wrestlers to step up. Unfortunately, the promotion has a spotty record when it comes to this. AEW has had main event stars such as CM Punk, Jon Moxley, The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega miss time due to injuries or disciplinary problems. Nevertheless, AEW failed to elevate new talent during their absence, missing out on a major opportunity to create new main event stars.

Whether or not he deserves it, AEW President Tony Khan has developed a reputation for being too easygoing with his talent. It may be time to develop an independent medical team that determines whether wrestlers need time off. While fans have heard about wrestlers not being cleared to compete (this happened at Worlds End when Keith Lee was pulled from his match with Swerve Strickland), the case can be made that MJF shouldn't have worked as many matches as he did going into Worlds End.

A Precarious Policy

AEW could find itself in a precarious position with a stronger medical policy. While its wrestlers could avoid more serious injuries by taking time off before things get out of control, they might be reluctant to let management know how injured they are. This could lead to wrestlers misleading medical personnel and/or relying on self-medication to work through pain.

As fans have seen with professional sports, injuries inevitably happen, and there's never a good time for them to happen. Wrestling has no off-season, which means there is no time for everyone to take a break. However, that's an argument for another time.

For now, fans must wait to see what's next for MJF. What do you think AEW will do if MJF is shelved for nearly a year? Will it try to elevate other talent to make up for his absence?

Photo Credit: AEW