For more than a year, MJF has reigned as the AEW World Champion, and the challengers he has faced are as impressive as the lengthy reign itself. Those challengers include Jay White, Kenny Omega, Samoa Joe, and Adam Cole. One name he has not faced during his current reign as champion but has feuded with in the past is CM Punk. The two engaged in promo battles and in-ring wars from late 2021 into early 2022. Including a brutal Dog Collar Match at AEW Revolution 2022 that Punk won to cap their program.
On The SI Media podcast, MJF was asked about Punk’s time in AEW.
“I’ll just say it’s the greatest feud of the modern era was me versus CM Punk, I think,” he stated. “Yeah, and that happened on AEW television.”
Friedman was then pressed to give his thoughts on Punk returning to WWE after being terminated by AEW.
“I was happy for him because if, listen, if he’s happy, I’m happy,” he responded. “I think he’s a hell of a talent, and, you know, at the end of the day, it’s the business, and for some reason, with wrestling, it’s looked at differently than any other sport. Like, listen, I see guys get traded to different teams all the time. You know? That’s just life. So, he did what he felt was best for him, and the company did what they felt was best for the company. So, I just hope he’s happy. I wish him the best of luck.”
Friedman is set to once again his AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe, this time at AEW Worlds End later this month. They last faced off this past March as part of the AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam card.
If you use any quotes from this article, please give a h/t to Haus of Wrestling and credit The SI Media podcast