MJF Admits He “Didn’t Know Who I Was” After Adam Cole’s Ankle Injury

MJF isn’t pretending that everything during his first AEW World Title run was perfect — and he’s putting a specific moment under the microscope.

During the Self-Made Session, the AEW World Champion addressed the stretch of television that followed Adam Cole’s ankle injury. While fans often debate that period, MJF flat-out admitted it was the lowest point of his run. He explained that Cole’s injury didn’t just disrupt creative plans — it hit him personally and professionally.

“Three months. Three measly months. I did what I will admit I had an unfun time after Adam Cole broke his ankle. Wrestling fans had an unfun time after Adam Cole broke his ankle. I was the drizzling shits for three months after Adam Cole broke his ankle because I was dealing with the loss of a friendship. I was dealing with the loss of knowing who I was as a performer on multiple levels. I didn’t know who I was anymore for three months.”

That’s a rare level of self-critique from someone who usually projects complete dominance. MJF didn’t stop there. He acknowledged that fans ran with the narrative that he’d fallen off — and he understands why.

“Three months out of years — years of proving I was the biggest draw. Years of proving I was the biggest star. Years of proving I was the best bell-to-bell. Years of proving I was the best on the microphone. And those three months, people ran with it. And I understand why they did because I hated those three months. I think about those three months. I wake up in a cold sweat and I think about those three months.”

In MJF’s mind, the issue wasn’t just storyline direction. It was identity. He says he lost clarity about who he was as a performer during that time — something that clearly still sticks with him.

Now back on top as AEW World Champion, he’s framing his current run as a correction — proof that the slump was the exception, not the standard. With AEW Revolution approaching and major matches looming, MJF appears determined to erase any lingering doubt tied to that post-Adam Cole stretch.

Do you think Adam Cole’s injury truly derailed MJF’s first reign, or was it just a temporary dip that fans overreacted to? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know where you stand.

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