MJF Calls Himself ‘A Throwback’ & Explains Why His AEW Matches Are So Unique

AEW has many legendary names on their payroll, and MJF realizes the value that pro wrestling history brings to the table. He is a student of the greats who brought fans to a boiling point decades prior to his own birth. That is one thing which gives him such an edge in today’s wrestling world.

MJF recently spoke to Fightful where he revealed who he studies from pro wrestling’s past. He loves heels, which is obvious by his current place on the AEW roster. Studying the past not only inspires him, and it helps him present a unique performance each time.

“Well, I’ve said Roddy Piper a billion times. Ric Flair. Tully Blanchard. It’s unfortunate that me and him had to have a spat back in the day, but I think if me and him talked it out, it’d be fine. I mean, the list honestly goes on and on. Nick Bockwinkle. I grow exhausted with the examples simply because I watch so much professional wrestling. I watch Mid-South Wrestling. I watch Global. I watch Smokey Mountain. I watch AWA. I watch World Class. I watch anything I can get my hands on from, pretty much, from ’92 downward simply because so many people in my generation don’t concern themselves with that time frame because they feel they can get nothing from it. I find that laughable.”

“There’s a reason why every single time I’m in the ring it seems I’m unique. I feel like a throwback of sorts. I feel different. Whereas every else is kinda going out there and they’re trying to do sequences as fast as they possible can, and they’re trying to hurt their opponent by doing flips and dives. It was never my M.O. I believe Chris Jericho is somebody that was able to mix both the old school and the new school, and that’s something I pride myself on as well.”

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MJF will battle Chris Jericho at AEW Full Gear, and he already warned Le Champion that he will do “anything” to win. We’ll have to see what MJF has up his sleeves. It’s likely he was at least inspired by all of the historic pro wrestling he watched along the way as he continues making history himself.