MJF Explains Why He’s Finally Doing Business With NJPW

Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is finally heading to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). As previously reported, MJF appeared in a video at today’s NJPW Road to King of Pro-Wrestling Night Two.

In the video, MJF issued a challenge to Ryohei Oiwa. MJF later issued a statement to Fightful regarding why he’s now doing business with NJPW despite his past comments.

MJF told Fightful, “I have a statement for why I’m doing business with New Japan. It’s a simple one I’d like public. I want to prove New Japan isn’t a real company. I want to prove I’m the master of the headlock. But MOST of all. I want to upset puro twitter.”

Oiwa is the winner of this year’s G1 Climax, and he’s currently scheduled to face Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Heavyweight Title at King of Pro-Wrestling 2026 next week. Oiwa later responded to MJF’s challenge, commenting that he’s mainly focused on Tsuji and will only think about accepting the challenge after he wins the title.

As noted, Oiwa wrote, “Read the room! You spent forever ****ting on New Japan, but that ain’t the case now, right? All I’m watching now is Yota Tsuji! I’ll think about it after he wins the IWGP.”

MJF later responded, “Be grateful, I’m letting you live until then. I’m coming to you because you and everyone in your country are too ***** to come to me.”

It remains to be seen if MJF vs. Oiwa will take place. If Oiwa wins the title, MJF could be looking to add another accolade to his resume and become IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

MJF's statement to Fightful on why he's doing business with NJPW. pic.twitter.com/thfCKyyv42

— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) October 7, 2026