MJF has plenty of say when it comes to his own AEW storylines, but that doesn’t mean everyone backstage is thrilled with wrestlers getting involved in creative.
During a Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp was asked just how involved MJF is in AEW’s booking, especially around the world title picture. The question also raised whether MJF has any influence over the booking of Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland. According to Sapp, MJF has considerable input when it comes to programs he’s actually involved in and has contributed creatively in other areas as well.
“I know for sure he has a major influence over the programs that he’s in, and contributes creatively in some other regards.”
Sapp stressed that he doesn’t know whether MJF has anything specifically written into his contract giving him that kind of power. What he does know is that MJF having a voice creatively is nothing new inside AEW.
“I’m not sure if he has a special deal or anything like that, but his creative influence and contributions have been well known for quite some time in AEW.”
That influence apparently has limits. Sapp shot down the idea that MJF is helping steer the booking of Hangman, Swerve or Jon Moxley when their stories have nothing to do with him.
“I don’t think he has any influence on Swerve Strickland, Hangman, or Moxley and people like that outside of his programs with them.”
The part that could cause some friction is how other wrestlers view talent getting a hand in creative. Sapp said some people in AEW don’t want wrestlers having that kind of influence at all, and he rarely hears talent arguing that it’s a good idea.
“Some talent don’t want any wrestlers having any creative influence. Rarely do I hear talent thinking it’s a good idea.”
So MJF isn’t secretly calling the shots for Hangman, Swerve or the entire AEW main event scene. He has a strong voice in his own programs and contributes elsewhere, while some wrestlers would apparently prefer talent stay out of creative decisions altogether.
What do you think about MJF having creative influence over the AEW programs he’s involved in? Should top wrestlers have that kind of input, or should booking stay completely out of their hands? Leave your feedback in the comments.
