It has been a bit and despite little news leaking, it sounds like MJF is returning soon; but, questions remain if it will be for AEW or WWE.
Fans lost Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) at the very end of 2023. It was not a good night for him, losing the AEW Championship and then Adam Cole revealing himself to be ‘The Devil’ who had tormented him. That dates back to the Worlds End pay per view and we have not seen MJF since. For the longest-time, it seemed like a bidding war could be taking place between AEW and WWE.
At one point, MJF was furious with AEW. After losing quickly on a pay per view, he cursed out Tony Khan during Dynamite. That promo gained lots of attention and the people at TV were not pleased. MJF would go home for several months until returning. While he won the World Championship as a heel, he began turning face. That moment occurred as he seemingly went from enemies to best friends with Cole. Of course, we all know now that Cole was never really friends with MJF.
According to Fightful Select, MJF will be sticking with AEW; which many saw coming. Although, they continued how he should be back by Forbidden Door, which is June 30. No matches have been announced as the company is heavily focused on Double Or Nothing.
Upon returning, it will be intersting how AEW books him. Cole is apparently close to returning from injury, but any sparks between the former tag champions is gone. AEW would be airing a program that should have already ended, but it barely began because of injuries to Cole and MJF. Perhaps, since Khan is battling The Elite, MJF enters that fray. He can either return to his villainous ways or shock the world and help Khan. So, with MJF returning to AEW very soon, what program should he enter?
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Though WWE committed the opening on Friday Night SmackDown to an expansive tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, from a 10 bell salute to a near-seven-minute long video package highlighting his entire career, Cody Rhodes wanted to spend a little extra time focusing on the “Hulkster” before getting down to business. Taking the ring to talk SummerSlam, his feud with John Cena, and everything else along the way, Rhodes dedicated some time to Hogan, thanking him for his contributions to sports entertainment, wrestling, and entertainment as well. “Yesterday, WWE and pro-wrestling lost one of its giants in Hulk Hogan, and I know emotions and feelings regarding it are complicated, but what is not complicated is his accomplishments and his contributions to WWE to sports entertainment, to pro wrestling, to entertainment as a whole,e they are staggering and they are indisputable,” Rhodes declared. “So, as someone who gets to stand here and say that I’m a WWE Superstar, he was the original, and I just want to take a moment to say thank you, Hulk Hogan.” Did Rhodes and Hogan ever share the ring? Nope, but Hogan did wrestle his Cody’s father Dusty a number of times back in the day, including eight matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling – if you can believe it – a Royal Rumble in WWE, and one final time on an episode of WCW Thunder in 2000, according to Cagematch. Despite being from very different generations, the way Rhodes and Hogan present themselves to the WWE Universe is remarkably similar, with the “American Nightmare” taking more than a few cues from the “HulkaManic” in his red, white, and blue babyface presentation post-AEW. While Rhodes’ time as a babyface may rapidly be coming to a close, with Cena’s redemption coming at some point, maybe as soon as SummerSlam, when that day comes, he will almost certainly take cues from Hogan there too, using the “Hollywood Hogan” character as a template from which to tell his own story.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten training camp underway, and it’s a very exciting time for all football fans. The 2025 season is getting closer by the day, and with players finally back on the field, the energy around the team is building fast. In Pittsburgh, that buzz is especially strong this year, largely because of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers brings experience, leadership, and championship expectations to a Steelers team that believes it can compete at the highest level. As he arrived at training camp, one moment quickly gained attention. According to ESPN Steelers insider Brooke Pryor, Rodgers had one special request for his teammates that he believes is critical to their success this season. To put it simply, it sounds as if Rodgers reportedly asked his teammates to fully commit to one another. He stressed the importance of trust, communication, and total buy-in from every player in the locker room. For Rodgers, it’s not just about talent or scheme. It’s about building a team that believes in the same mission and is willing to fight for each other every step of the way. "Aaron Rodgers had one request of his new Pittsburgh teammates: keep an open mind," Pryor said in her latest article for ESPN. "Rodgers asked his teammates to get to know him without any preconceived notions before making any judgments." When it was revealed that the Steelers were pursuing Rodgers, many fans quickly labeled him a diva or an attention seeker. Those types of criticisms have followed him for years, and while some of it might be fair to discuss, it doesn’t tell the full story. What Rodgers has shown in Pittsburgh so far has been quite the opposite. Since arriving at training camp, Rodgers has carried himself with leadership, professionalism, and humility. He didn’t come in expecting everyone to bow down to him because he’s a four-time league MVP. Instead, he made it clear that he wants to earn the right to lead this team. Rodgers has focused on building relationships and gaining the trust of his teammates. He understands that leadership is not something you demand, but something you prove through action and consistency. That attitude has already made a strong impression inside the Steelers’ locker room. For Steelers fans, this should be an encouraging sign. Rodgers’ mindset and approach could be a huge factor in helping this team reach its full potential in the 2025 season. His leadership may end up being just as valuable as his talent on the field. Mike Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. He feels that pressure and gladly totes those bags. He knows the pressure is on him to get a playoff win and make a deep run in 2025 now that he got Rodgers. Steelers' Will Howard Expected To Be The Biggest Winner From Aaron Rodgers Joining Pittsburgh One of the biggest winners from Rodgers joining the Steelers is clearly rookie quarterback Will Howard. Despite falling to the sixth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, Howard enters the NFL with an impressive resume, having led Ohio State to a National Championship victory in the 2024 college football season. He consistently elevated the talent around him and carries a strong belief in his ability to grow at the next level. Now, Howard finds himself in an ideal situation. Not only does he get to learn behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, but he also gets a version of Rodgers who is motivated, focused, and eager to mentor. Rodgers has already made it clear that he plans to take Howard under his wing. For a rookie in Howard’s position, this is like hitting the jackpot. The opportunity to develop behind a future Hall of Famer who is willing to invest in your growth is rare. If Howard takes full advantage, this could be the perfect start to a long and successful NFL career.
The lead up to the MLB trade deadline is off and running, with the Seattle Mariners striking a move with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. Some might have expected Eugenio Suarez, a former Mariner, to be heading back to his old team. Instead, it was first baseman Josh Naylor who was shipped off to Seattle. However, that doesn't mean these two teams are done dealing. MLB.com's Daniel Kramer reported on X that "Eugenio Suarez is still Seattle’s top priority and being aggressively pursued by the Mariners." Suarez, on the back of an All-Star selection, is one of the hottest names on the market. With an eye-catching 36 home runs, good for second place in the National League, and 87 RBI, a bountiful number of MLB contenders are fighting for his services. Before his stint with Arizona, Suarez compiled two seasons' worth of monstrous home runs with the Mariners. A fan favorite, Mariners fans have been raving about the possibility of bringing him back. Despite their haste in acquiring Naylor, the chances of importing his teammate alongside him remain high. At 34 years old, Suarez is at his peak and would greatly improve the slugging of the playoff-hopeful Mariners. The third baseman would take the place of rookie Ben Williamson at the position. Williamson has performed valiantly, but his contact bat doesn't bring the same run-producing stature as Suarez. For a club that loves to hit home runs, Suarez would be the cherry on top. With the team currently ranked sixth in the MLB in home runs (144), the power-hitter would upgrade the Mariners into one of the best slugging lineups in the league. Coming at a high cost, the risk would be worth it. Pairing up Suarez with a lineup featuring multiple All-Stars in catcher Cal Raleigh, center fielder Julio Rodriguez and left fielder Randy Arozarena would be frightening. The high-octane lineup would give the Mariners something to rely on as they push for the playoffs. The Mariners are currently in vigorous pursuit of the injury-riddled Houston Astros, trailing the AL West leader by five games. Consistent offense has been difficult to come by for the Mariners, leading to some troubling losses. With a locked-and-loaded pitching rotation, the Mariners have no time to wait to bolster the offense. Adding Suarez may be the piece they need to unlock a giant-slaying squad. As we inch closer to the trade deadline, which takes place July 31 at 6 p.m. ET, be on the lookout for the Mariners to punch another deal with the Diamondbacks.
Third baseman Max Muncy is in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. Muncy failed to establish himself as a reliable major-league hitter in Oakland, but his career took off in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger has made two All-Star teams with the Dodgers and appeared in 905 games, hitting 203 home runs and driving in 575 runs. He’s also been a postseason hero, batting .217 with 44 hits, 13 homers, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored across 62 career playoff games, and he’s won two World Series titles (2020, 2024). On July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise after a collision at third base while making a tag. An MRI showed no structural damage, and although his initial recovery timeline was set at six weeks, the Dodgers announced he could begin a rehab assignment next week and return ahead of schedule. His rehab progress has expedited his return timetable, and the team is eagerly anticipating his comeback. During his absence, the Dodgers have dropped five of 16 games, and their division lead dropped to five games over the San Diego Padres. His veteran presence has been missed in the clubhouse as much as his bat has been at the plate. In 2025, Muncy is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 walks while hitting in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.
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