AEW World Champion MJF has been forced out of what he billed as his farewell to the American independent scene after hyperextending his knee on AEW Dynamite.
‘The Salt of The Earth’ is not medically cleared to travel or compete, wiping out his scheduled appearance at Beyond Wrestling on Friday, June 5.
MJF was set to face Bobby Orlando at the promotion’s event in Cranston, Rhode Island. Beyond Wrestling announced that the injury occurred during Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite, ruling him out of the show.
“Unfortunately @The_MJF hyperextended his knee during his match last night & is not medically cleared to travel or compete,” Beyond Wrestling wrote. “He will not be in Cranston tomorrow night but assured me he will wrestle for Beyond Wrestling as soon as his schedule allows. We wish him a speedy recovery.”
Beyond Wrestling says it is working on a replacement for Friday’s show. MJF is expected to return to the promotion once he is physically cleared and his schedule allows.
MJF Had Planned To Step Away From The Indies
The timing is notable given that MJF had already framed this bout as his last independent appearance for a long stretch. In an interview the ‘Salt of the Earth’ said he wanted to put his full focus on AEW.
“I’m going to announce that this is probably the last American independent match I’m going to have for an extraordinarily long time,” MJF told Justin Barrasso.
“I need to focus on AEW. I took my eyes off the ball for a millisecond, and a dude who is like 145-fucking-pounds soaking wet beat me. That can’t happen.”
He added a more positive note:
“But glass half full, I’m now a three-time champion at the age of 30.”
MJF had announced this Beyond Wrestling date as his final American indie match just ahead of the injury.
It is unclear exactly when the injury took place. MJF faced RUSH on Wednesday’s Dynamite, retaining the AEW World Championship by making his opponent pass out in a crossface submission hold.
His injury status carries added weight given his championship obligations. MJF won the AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing, and his first title defence was confirmed coming out of that event.