MJF says Tony Khan has evolved into one of the best minds in professional wrestling and an incredible leader, offering praise for the AEW founder ahead of Double Or Nothing this Sunday.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show to promote AEW Double Or Nothing 2026, MJF opened by addressing Khan’s November 2025 interview with Helwani, which marked a shift in how the AEW president engages with media that has historically been unfavorable to the company.
“No interview is ever going to be as good when I’m not in the room. But for an interview that didn’t have me in it, it was a good watch. And I also think it showed the evolution, frankly, of my boss as an interviewee. I think he faces questions head-on. I think that he took all your questions on the chin and answered them in a very professional manner. I think he continues to be incredibly professional, even when bullsh*t is happening around him and lies are being spread. So, yeah, I’m happy for him.”
MJF kept largely in character throughout the interview but stepped out of it to offer a more sincere assessment of Khan as a leader.
“Do I love the guy? No. But I love money. And I also love seeing my company do well, and we’re white hot right now. Now, is that all because of me? There’s an argument to be made there. But I also am willing to say that Tony Khan — in case you’re unaware, he’s a billionaire — and for him to be a billionaire and to decide to, with his money and his time, when he could be sticking with the futbol thing or the other football thing, he decided to start a professional wrestling company because he’s so passionate about professional wrestling and he loves professional wrestling. And he’s become one of the best minds in wrestling, man. And he’s been a great leader. You can talk all of the sh*t you want about him. Why? I don’t know. Because he gave you an alternative so you wouldn’t only be eating one type of food. You have options now. I don’t know why anybody would be mad about options.”
“I think he’s become an incredible leader too, man. He always was, but I just think he is really, really just — as we all do, we level up, we evolve as we age.”
MJF challenges Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship at Double Or Nothing this Sunday in a hair vs. title match where MJF must shave his head if he loses. It would be his third world title reign if he wins.