wrestling / News

MJF Declines Offer From Ryohei Oiwa To Compete in Next Year’s G1 Climax Tournament: ‘I Got Nothing To Prove’

August 18, 2026 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 MJF, G1 Climax, NJPW Image Credit: AEW

AEW star and former World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has no interest in competing in the G1 Climax tournament next year, despite a challenge from this year’s winner, Ryohei Oiwa, to step up and compete. MJF pointed out that he has “nothing to prove.”

The recent challenge was sparked by MJF’s comments after Oiwa won this year’s G1 Climax 36 tournament, beating Yuya Uemura in the finals. MJF commented, “I’m the superior headlock wrestler.”

Oiwa was later informed about MJF’s comments during a recent New Japan press conference. He challenged MJF to compete in next year’s G1 Climax tournament. He’s quoted as saying (via Tokyo Sports), “In that case, why don’t you bring that headlock of yours and step into next year’s G1? When you do, I’ll take you down with my headlock.”

MJF later replied to Oiwa, stating, “Tell that ****ing dork Oiwa he’d be lucky to lace my boots, let alone meet me in a ring.” When another user on X said MJF wouldn’t do the G1 tournament, MJF responded, “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.”

Currently, MJF is set to compete in the Casino Gauntlet Match at AEW All In London 2026 later this month. The winner of the Casino Gauntlet will earn a future AEW World Title shot.

Andrade El Idolo is also set to compete in the bout as the No. 1 competitor. MJF is in the No. 2 slot. AEW All In London takes place on Sunday, August 30 at Wembley Stadium. It will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. You can view MJF’s comments on Oiwa and the G1 Climax below.

More Trending Stories

article topics :

AEW, MJF, NJPW, Ryohei Oiwa, Jeffrey Harris

More Stories

loading