MJF has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his latest run in AEW appears to be no different.
The three-time AEW World Champion has refused to accept his place without the title since being dethroned by Kenny Omega at Dynamite: Beach Break in July.
Friedman returned at Grand Slam Mexico carrying his own version of the AEW World Championship and continued to present himself as the company’s rightful champion.
Fast forward to the latest dynamite episode , he would face Speedball Mike Bailey and Nick Wayne in a three way match where the winner would secure the second spot at All In’s Casino Gauntlet.
Wayne ultimately tapped out to MJF, confirming that the Casino Gauntlet will begin with The Devil Himself and El Idolo, a matchup many fans would argue deserves its own singles match.
After the match, MJF grabbed the mic and sent a message to Andrade, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay.
During the promo, Friedman called them out, claiming they were scared of him before finishing with a new declaration: He is the “One True Champion.”
The acronym for MJF’s new self-proclaimed title is OTC, the same acronym famously used by Roman Reigns for “Original Tribal Chief, a similarity that quickly caught the attention of wrestling fans.
Is MJF quietly acknowledging Roman Reigns?
Not only that, but his current “real world champion” gimmick was being used by CM Punk before he left the company, which begs to the questions if this new MJF run is going to be full of jabs to WWE
The comparison is even more notable considering MJF’s history with Punk, with the two sharing one of AEW’s most personal rivalries before Punk’s departure from the company.
Intentional or not, the similarities are hard to ignore, and knowing MJF’s history of stirring controversy, they may be exactly what he was looking for.
After winning the #2 Spot in the Casino Gauntlet at #AEWAllIn London, @The_MJF sends a message to @AndradeElIdolo, @KennyOmegamanX & @WillOspreay!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/FYhPu2IBDJ
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 13, 2026
