MJF’s torn labrum is hardly a secret. Despite remaining on AEW television, he has not wrestled since his successful AEW World Championship defense against Jay White at Full Gear — where he suffered the injury — on Nov. 18, nor has he featured in any lengthy physical segments.
However, the Long Island native is tentatively scheduled to defend the ROH World Tag Team Championship with Samoa Joe on the Dec. 27 episode of Dynamite, and he has a world title defense against the Samoan Submission Machine just three days later at Worlds End. AEW can creatively maneuver out of MJF wrestling on Wednesday, but the pay-per-view is a different story.
Heading into these shows, what kind of shape is MJF in? In an interview with Solomonster, he revealed some of the treatments he has undergone for his injury, while also admitting that he is unable to lift his arm all the way up (h/t Fightful for transcription).
I got PRP done and something called EPAT where what they do essentially is, it’s almost like shock therapy straight onto the muscle. I’m not going to lie to you, I cannot lift my arm all the way up north-south. Point blank. Probably not something I should be discussing publicly. I’m kind of being known for being honest to a fault. I can’t lose this belt. This world title reign, it means too much to too many people. Most specifically, it means too much to me. I’m going to go in there guns blazing, I’m going to give it 110%. I’ve wrestled Samoa Joe before, hardest match of my reign. I believe I’ve had 11 title defenses, I also hold the world of most title defenses of any world champion in the history of the company. Of every single match I’ve had, the one where I was in the most physical danger was Joe at Grand Slam. I know what I’m heading into, but I’m going to win because I have to win.
Obviously, limited range of motion sounds concerning, so it will be intriguing to see how much he can do in the ring next week.
It’s also worth wondering when he’ll take time off. AEW programming would, of course, suffer a big blow with his potential absence, as he has been the centerpiece of weekly shows and the headliner of PPVs for over a year. Additionally, with Kenny Omega also out indefinitely, not having another top babyface around would be a second significant loss for the company. So, as the rest of December plays out, it should spell out what’s next for MJF.