MJF Explains Why He Won’t Protect Anyone on the Mic

Maxwell Jacob Friedman isn’t interested in carrying anyone verbally — and he made that crystal clear during a recent appearance on the You Better You Bet podcast.

While discussing his relentless promo style and reputation as one of the most dominant talkers in wrestling, the AEW World Champion was asked about a long-standing belief in the industry: that top promo guys should “protect” their opponents on the microphone to keep them viable. MJF didn’t hesitate before shutting that idea down completely.

For Friedman, promos aren’t about charity or balance — they’re about survival, status, and proving who actually belongs at the top. He made it clear that if someone steps into the spotlight with him and can’t keep up verbally, that failure isn’t on him.

“No. And I resent people that feel I should. You know, a lot of the time there’s this weird thing in professional wrestling where fans feel like, ‘Oh, you need to protect certain wrestlers.’ No, no.”

MJF then laid out his philosophy in blunt terms, framing mic work as a prerequisite for being considered elite in AEW — not a skill that should be protected or softened for others.

“I firmly believe that if you’re supposed to be at the pinnacle of this sport, if you want to be a part of All Elite Wrestling, if you want to be a part of the best professional wrestling company in the world — if you can’t talk and if you can’t hang with me, why is that my problem?”

He followed that up by explaining exactly what he sees as his responsibility as AEW World Champion — and what he does not.

“My job is not to get you over. My job is to get me over. My job is to get three letters over right here — MJF. The other job is to get another three letters over — AEW.”

Friedman didn’t stop there. He directly addressed the idea that he should verbally hold back for top stars, dismissing it outright while positioning himself as the centerpiece of the promotion.

“My job ain’t to get over Hangman Adam Page, Swerve Strickland, Moxley. I couldn’t give less of a crap. It’s about me. I’m the show. I’m the face of the company.”

To MJF, stepping into a promo with him is no different than stepping into a fight — preparation is mandatory, and excuses don’t matter.

“If you want to step up to the plate and go blow for blow with daddy verbally, you better come prepared. Because if you don’t, I’m going to swallow you.”

The comments offer a rare, unfiltered look at how Friedman views AEW’s hierarchy and why his promos often feel ruthless by design. For MJF, the microphone isn’t a shared space — it’s a proving ground.

Do you agree with MJF’s sink-or-swim mentality on the mic, or should top stars still help protect their opponents verbally? Let us know what you think in the comments and share your take.

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