Tony Khan Says MJF Is the “White-Collar” Version of Stone Cold Steve Austin

Tony Khan is drawing big parallels between past and present—and this time, he’s comparing one of AEW’s most polarizing figures to a WWE legend.

During a conversation on 1035 KISSFM, Khan weighed in on why MJF connects so deeply with fans, even when he’s being the worst version of himself. The AEW President said MJF reminds him of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin—but with a white-collar twist.

When asked about MJF’s growing crossover appeal and whether his persona could rival Stone Cold’s impact, Khan didn’t hesitate to agree. While acknowledging how different their styles are, he made it clear that both men resonate with audiences because they never break character to chase cheers or avoid boos.

“I absolutely love that and I think that’s a great point. Like we were talking about before, but now twisting it around again. What a juxtaposition though between how Steve Austin did it as a blue-collar star and MJF as a white-collar star. Very different approaches. They dress very differently, but you’re right—two guys that can bring totally different mindsets, and they could be a popular star or they could be a villain, but they don’t have to change who they are or what they do.”

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Khan also pulled no punches describing MJF’s heel persona, saying that even when fans love him, he’s still unrepentantly evil at his core.

“MJF… he’s a top villain who people hate and he’s just a completely irredeemable, terrible human being. He’s the devil.”

Khan’s comparison didn’t stop at character. He pointed to MJF’s growing reach outside the wrestling ring, including his upcoming role in Happy Gilmore 2, which hits Netflix on July 25. MJF recently returned to AEW with a big Casino Gauntlet win at All In: Texas, and that momentum is only feeding his presence in pop culture.

The message is clear: just like Stone Cold broke the mold for what a wrestling hero could look like, MJF is doing the same—but from the opposite end of the moral spectrum. He’s sharp-tongued, arrogant, and always dressed like he’s headed to Wall Street. And yet, fans still can’t look away.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.