Andrew Zarian - USA and Fox networks taking notice of MJF

[Chris]

Source: Andrew Zarian on f4wonline.com

The past few weeks, I have been asked personally by multiple people within Fox and USA regarding current AEW roster member MJF as his program with CM Punk has brought in a new level of interest from non-pro wrestling followers at both networks.

I discussed this last night on We're Live, Pal, on YouTube, and how since that Punk promo, I was asked if MJF's contract with AEW is really up in 2024 as he had said previously (and reiterated as much Wednesday on Twitter).

An individual at one of those networks, who has been a very reliable source, told me, “I actually stopped what I was doing and listened to him. I don’t think I have done that with pro wrestling in a long time."

As I said last night, WWE is very interested in him. When I reached out to a source within WWE, they mentioned that the same conversations the networks have had have happened within the company regarding MJF in the past.

“He has everything we would want. It really depends on if he could be that same person on WWE TV," they said. “We want new stars to be the focus within the next few years. That's the plan.”

A pro since 2015, MJF made his AEW debut in 2019. He will face Dante Martin for the Dynamite Diamond ring on Wednesday's Winter Is Coming edition of Dynamite.

 

[Sky]

It really depends on if he could be that same person on WWE TV

That's the point. WWE in 2021-22 turns gold into shit with a 100% success rate, and MJF would become just another guy

 

[Marty McFourth]

MJF is money, but he is a guy that needs the higher TV rating. You wanna let him say shit he can get away with. PG wouldn't cut it.

 

[Deezy]

If he's as good as people say he is, the TV rating wouldn't matter because a true talent makes it work.

 

[Marty McFourth]

I think in this instance and with this particular guy it absolutely does matter. You don't want him to feel restrained about what he can say on TV. He always feel off the cuff, and you're never quite sure what he'll come out with. That's what I enjoy. I don't doubt his ability to adapt as he's got the skills, but yeah, it'd be nowhere near the same impact.

 

[Chris]

He could become a MORE FAMOUS Miz tho

 

[Marty McFourth]

He could become a MORE FAMOUS Miz tho

His facial expression when Punk said that line

 

[Chris]

I actually think MJF has more than enough range to excel in a PG environment too, thought he was going a little overboard just to be controversial at times this year but when he's more grounded he's one of the best in the game, doesn't have to be crazy offensive all the time to get heat

 

[Marty McFourth]

Fair enough, I do think the rating helps me enjoy him a lot more, but I guess if he toned it down a bit but kept his edge it could work. Just hopefully if he ever did join, they'd let him have freedom with the promos and let him get away with some stuff at times.

 

[Marty McFourth]

Like some of his lines to Punk were pretty seething in their promo battle, I'd just be sad he wouldn't be allowed to say the vast majority of it, but I don't disagree he definitely can go overboard as well.

 

[Dale]

People also said Owens wouldn't work too but I think he turned out more than fine.

 

[Marty McFourth]

People also said Owens wouldn't work too but I think he turned out more than fine.

Good point. I never would have imagined KO in WWE, especially when you see his ROH work, but he did really well. I think I'd just have to wait and see it for the most part, but I do know he has the skills for sure.

 

[Chris]

Like some of his lines to Punk were pretty seething in their promo battle, I'd just be sad he wouldn't be allowed to say the vast majority of it, but I don't disagree he definitely can go overboard as well.

Yeah I dont think any of these would be taboo in WWE either, would just depend on the overall booking of him. He just wouldn't be able to say shit like he was about Pillman Jr's family and stuff lmao

 

[Chris]

Basically if you're good enough you should have no problem translating the mic skills to PG, and if he's not a guy they have the KO level freedom too he'd probably just stay in AEW anyway

 

[Marty McFourth]

Well I thank you guys for giving me more hope for it in the event it does happen, I probably put too much stock in to the TV rating tbh, I guess I just enjoy them being able to get away with more stuff if that makes sense. He's a hell of talker, and hasn't even hit his peak yet. So who knows what the future has in store for him, I'm just excited to follow it as it progresses.