MJF Defeats Hechicero in Big Hometown Win at AEW Forbidden Door

MJF made his AEW return at Double or Nothing on May 26, 2024, after nearly five months on hiatus by attacking Adam Cole and announcing that he would be staying in AEW. At AEW Forbidden Door, the Salt of the Earth had another opportunity to solidify his position in the company.

On June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Long Island, AEW’s Forbidden Door event featured MJF taking on Hechicero. This was an opportunity for MJF to showcase his skills that he couldn’t pass up. He also wanted to continue his mission with his revamped character, and the match lived up to expectations.

MJF and Hechicero ignited the Long Island crowd during the opening match of Forbidden Door’s main pay-per-view event. They battled fiercely around the ring, delivering several near falls that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Long Island crowd erupted in support of their hometown hero, MJF. Ultimately, MJF secured the victory with a Panama Sunrise followed by a massive brainbuster.

Hechicero was able to carry his own in a big way, and he gained respect from AEW fans in the process. During a media call to promote Forbidden Door, Tony Khan said of Hechicero that he connects with fans. That was evident in this match against MJF. “Hechicero, who’s had a great connection with the fans,” Khan said during the call, “great reaction whenever he appears, he was reintroduced in the LA Forum in the Casino Gauntlet match. He’s had a tremendous, tremendous match with Brian Danielson, picked up the win last Saturday on Collision against Daddy Magic, and definitely need to keep an eye on Hechicero.”

MJF is coming off a lengthy absence. Although MJF defeated Rush on the June 19 AEW Dynamite, his previous match before that was on December 30, 2023. In that contest, Samoa Joe defeated MJF by referee’s decision to win the AEW World Title at AEW Worlds End 2023.

Since his return to the fold in AEW, MJF has displayed a different side of his character. That jacket he traded for his Burberry scarf has brought a lot of comprisons to Triple H. Only time will tell how far he is going to go, but he seems loyal to AEW, and the former World Champion is now back with another win under his belt.

What’s your take on MJF’s return to AEW? Did you miss him when he wasn’t around? Let us know what you think in the comments section!