Top AEW Star Discusses Making Fans Invested In His Matches

AEW

A top AEW star has discussed making fans invested in his matches.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF, has had a banner year as AEW World Champion with several memorable matches and promos as well as his hugely popular partnership with Adam Cole.

In 2023, Friedman put on many classic matches against the likes of Bryan Danielson, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, Jack Perry and Samoa Joe.

Speaking with GQ, MJF addressed how he makes fans invest in his matches. He said:

“That’s what makes it interesting,”

“It’s visceral. You can see that through the screen and I’m making you have an emotional response. Other guys in our sport, they’re beating the shit out of each other and hitting moves that look crazy.”

“And if you listen to the crowd, they’ll come up when the big thing happens. But you’ll also hear the big gaps of silence because they’re not emotionally invested in the participants.”

“The difference as he sees it is simple: ‘You’re emotionally invested in MJF, and you’re emotionally invested in anybody I get in the ring with because I give you no choice. I’m involved, and you care about what I’m doing because you care about me.”

MJF is currently scheduled to defend the AEW World Championship against “Switchblade” Jay White on Saturday, November 18 at AEW Full Gear.

Before his big title showdown, White will face Hangman Adam Page in a singles bout on the October 10 Title Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite.

A returning AEW star referenced MJF in a unique way during the most recent AEW Dynamite episode, which you can see here.

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