MJF Challenges NJPW Star, Says He'll Put 'Actual' AEW World Title On The Line
After years of claiming that New Japan Pro Wrestling isn't a real company and is a waste of space in the business, MJF is finally putting his money where his mouth is by calling out one of NJPW's top stars for an upcoming match.
On the opening night of the Road to King of Pro Wrestling tour in Korakuen Hall, a video message sent by Maxwell Jacob Friedman played on the big screen, where he called out the winner of this year's G1 Climax tournament, Ryohei Oiwa.
Before Ryohei Oiwa challenges for the IWGP title MONDAY, his next opponent might have already stepped up!@njpw_ryoheioiwa vs @The_MJF???#njpw #njkopw pic.twitter.com/alnuuQaQ9U
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 7, 2026
「ヘッドロックキングを決めようぜ」
MJF( @The_MJF )が大岩に宣戦布告‼️
視聴＆登録⏩「NJPW WORLD」で検索#njpwworld #njkopw pic.twitter.com/GbcmcpNxPQ
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) October 7, 2026
In his message, MJF called NJPW second rate and made fun of the company for losing all of its top stars in recent years. However, he did note that Oiwa is one of the best that NJPW currently has to offer, and by beating him, he will be one step closer to locking the Forbidden Door forever and proving why he's been right all along about NJPW as a company. MJF even sweetened the deal for Oiwa by stating that he would put his beloved "Triple B" on the line, claiming that he is still the real AEW World Champion and the belt that Will Ospreay currently holds is a phony title. The "Salt of the Earth" rounded off by throwing down the gauntlet and asking Oiwa who the real master of the Headlock is, because in MJF's mind, it's him, and he will prove that by beating "The Grip" with a Headlock Takeover.
This rivalry between MJF and Oiwa actually started on social media following Oiwa's victory in the G1 Climax final back in August. Oiwa's win over Yuya Uemura was critically acclaimed by everyone apart from the "current" AEW World Champion, who baited "The Grip" into an exchange on X (formerly known as Twitter) that led to both men claiming that they will fight each other in whichever company allows them to.
MJF won't be at the forefront of Oiwa's mind, at least in the immediate future, as he will be challenging Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on October 17 at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2026.