Steve Carrier on February 7, 2026
Maxwell Jacob Friedman may spend most of his time tearing people down, but during an interview with Compas on the Beat the AEW World Champion briefly shifted gears when the conversation turned to celebrities he’s crossed paths with.
While the segment started with jokes and sarcasm, it quickly turned into genuine praise once Bad Bunny was brought up. After listing names like Adam Sandler, Eminem, and Rob Smigel, the interviewer cut in with a single suggestion. MJF didn’t dodge it. Instead, he leaned into his usual sharp humor before making it clear there was real respect underneath.
“Bad Bunny. Uh, no. Do you like Bad Español? Uh, El Blow Me. Uh, but as far as Bad Bunny goes, he’s a massive MJF mark.”
The tone softened almost immediately as MJF explained that the admiration goes both ways and that their interaction left a lasting impression.
“He told me how much he loves my stuff. I love his stuff. I think he’s supremely talented.”
From there, MJF widened the discussion beyond wrestling or music, pointing to Bad Bunny’s mainstream success and what it represents on the biggest possible stage.
“I think it’s incredible to have, you know, just a Hispanic man be the main attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show. Correct me if I’m wrong — how many times has that happened?”
When the interviewer initially responded “zero,” he corrected the record himself.
“Well, actually, no, I apologize. We had J.Lo and Shakira, and Bad Bunny was actually in that also.”
Rather than undercutting his own point, MJF used the clarification to strengthen it, comparing Bad Bunny’s spotlight moment to other cultural milestones.
“But I think for him to be the center of attention, I think it speaks volumes the same way that it did when Kendrick got to be in the center there.”
He closed the thought by emphasizing representation and visibility, something rarely discussed when MJF is in full character.
“I think it’s really cool that, you know, we’re showing different races and creeds that haven’t always been allowed to be spotlighted in big-time situations like this.”
The exchange stood out as a rare moment where MJF stepped outside pure provocation. Even while keeping his edge, he acknowledged Bad Bunny not just as a celebrity cameo or crossover name, but as a legitimate cultural figure whose success carries weight far beyond entertainment.
Do you like seeing MJF show this side of himself when talking about stars like Bad Bunny, or should he stick strictly to tearing people down? Let us know what you think and drop your feedback in the comments.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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