MJF has turned down an opportunity to compete at next year’s G1 Climax tournament.
The 36th edition of NJPW’s biggest tournament of the year finished on August 16th. The final featured two of the promotion’s rising stars, Yuya Uemura and Ryohei Oiwa, in a classic wrestling match that never left the ring. Oiwa was eventually able to put Uemura away by forcing him to submit to his Grip Headlock, securing an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match at King of Pro Wrestling in October.
Former AEW World Champion MJF reacted to the win on social media, claiming he’s the “superior headlock wrestler.” When the comment was put to Oiwa in an interview with Tokyo Sports, the Grip issued a challenge for him to join the 2027 G1 and prove it.
“Well then, why don’t you bring that headlock and come up to next year’s G1? When that happens, I’ll take the title with a headlock myself.”
Unfortunately for fans, Friedman refused, claiming that Oiwa wasn’t on his level and calling him a “fake tough guy.”
“Tell that fucking dork Oiwa he’d be lucky to lace my boots let alone meet me in a ring.”
“About as much of a fake tough guy as Andrade, Ospreay and Omega.”
About as much of a fake tough guy as Andrade, Ospreay and omega.
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) August 18, 2026
MJF later agreed with another user who said he wouldn’t do the G1, explaining that he has “nothing to prove.”
“You’re right, I won’t. People who do that do it to prove they are the best in the world. I got nothing to prove. I already am.”
MJF Set For Casino Gauntlet Match At AEW All In
MJF will get an opportunity to earn a World Title match when he competes in the Casino Gauntlet Match at AEW All In London. Friedman will be the Number 2 entrant in the bout, entering after Andrade El Idolo, who won the Number 1 spot at Grand Slam Mexico. The only other entrant announced for the bout is Tommaso Ciampa, meaning there could be plenty of surprises when AEW returns to Wembley Stadium.
