Cody Rhodes shares his thoughts on MJF potentially coming to WWE.
Rhodes and MJF are often linked, as “The American Nightmare” helped bring MJF to All Elite Wrestling in its infancy. Rhodes, an EVP of the company, had a memorable feud with MJF, which cemented the latter’s status as one of the brightest stars in the company. “The American Nightmare” ultimately left AEW and returned to WWE in 2022. Meanwhile, MJF has continued his ascension, and he captured the AEW World Championship at AEW Full Gear 2022.
All the while, MJF has repeatedly teased his interest in signing with WWE; he often brings up “the bidding war of 2024” in promos and interviews. With his contract supposedly set to expire on January 1, 2024, MJF would be the most buzzworthy free agent in wrestling if he hit the open market.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani for BT Sport, Rhodes was asked whether he thinks MJF could be a big star in WWE. Rhodes responded by saying that he believes MJF could be a big star anywhere, but he has to keep his head and his passion.
“I think he could be a big star anywhere. I think he has all the tools because he’s so young. He has all the tools to develop, and you’re not seeing his final form yet. His final form is probably going to be 10 years from now, like that’s who he is. But that all depends on if he sticks to the good side of this and doesn’t lose his head, and his ego doesn’t get too big. I’m just talking about the man, not the character, and still has a passion. Sometimes, your passion can wane. He’s one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met, so if he keeps the passion, sure.”
Rhodes continued by describing that MJF would have to put on muscle if he were to come to WWE. He noted that MJF is already doing it, but he’d have to keep it up because he’d potentially be in the ring with powerhouses like Drew McIntyre. Rhodes also made it clear that he doesn’t have any inside information on MJF potentially coming to WWE.
“Adjustments wise, to come here, he’s already doing it,” Rhodes said. “As you see him, he’s putting on musculature, but if you’re gonna develop and put on muscle, because you have to here. What happens if you don’t, you’re standing across from Drew McIntyre, and you’re gonna look like a clown because that guy’s a monster. You have to.
“Sometimes, it’s in the presentation. It’s okay if you got a little heel in your boot. You know what I’m saying? You’ve gotta do all those things, and that might be one thing that he’d have to work on a little bit, is just to make sure that he’s not considered small. I don’t think he’s small, but that’d be a thing. If that happens for him, great. I don’t know if it would. I don’t have [inside info].”
When asked whether he like to see it happen, Rhodes stated that he wants MJF to do what makes him happy. Rhodes noted that MJF’s family is involved with his career, and he has to take care of his people, wherever that may be.
“I’ll give you a bad answer. If it makes him happy, I want him to be happy,” Rhodes said. “That’s honestly it. If it makes him happy, I want him to be happy. Also, my career is my thing. I have a nice team of people around me, but at the end, it’s mine.
“One thing I’ve noticed about him, his family is very involved in what he does. I think, even as a young man, is kind of becoming the patriarch of that. So when that’s the case, you’ve gotta take care of all your people, too, and do right by them. So if it makes him happy to be there, great. If it makes him happy to be here, he just needs to be happy.”
Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for MJF. Meanwhile, Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39. WrestleZone will have coverage of the show as it airs.
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