Long before MJF became one of AEW’s biggest stars, he made a brief appearance in WWE. In 2015, MJF was featured in the opening video for WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
At the time, most fans didn’t even realize it was him. A fan recently shared the throwback clip on X, formerly known as Twitter, bringing attention to MJF’s early WWE appearance. The video also included another future AEW star, Anthony Bowens.
Interestingly, the fan pointed out that the promo aired on the same night WWE paid tribute to Dusty Rhodes with a 10-bell salute following his passing. But that wasn’t the only time MJF tried to break into WWE.
Around that time, he also submitted a video audition for Tough Enough, WWE’s reality competition show. In that promo, MJF confidently said his now-famous catchphrase: “I’m better than you, and you know it,” while cutting a bold promo on Triple H. MJF was also one of the security guards who Samoa Joe shoved during his ring entrance.
These early clips give fans a fun look at MJF’s journey before he became “The Salt of the Earth” and one of the most popular stars of AEW.
MJF expresses interest in working with John Cena
MJF spoke with TV Insider about his role in Netflix’s upcoming Happy Gilmore 2 and his growing interest in acting. The former AEW World Champion named John Cena as someone he hopes to collaborate with one day.
“Obviously. I want to work with John Cena at some point in my career. That would mean an awful lot to me. Whether that is inside the wrestling bubble or outside the wrestling bubble. That’s the first name that comes to mind for sure.”
“I would say I have to throw Dave Bautista on that list too. Also, my good buddy Paul Walter Hauser. I think he is one of the best actors in the world. To be involved in a project with him would be an awful lot.”
“It’s easier because of the work that The Rock, Bautista and Cena put in. Also, I feel so stupid now because Dwayne [Johnson] is also on that list I spoke about earlier too. This was a great question. You might be the only interview that gave me a question I liked.”
“Growing up, you’re watching these guys break this mold that unfortunately Terry Bollea [Hulk Hogan] created by being one of the worst actors of all-time with Santa with Muscles, Mr. Nanny, and all that genuine garbage. Here are three men who are just great actors and proving to the world what we do is really difficult. It takes a certain type of star power to make it to the top of the professional wrestling industry. Dare I say it’s just as hard or harder than making it in the acting industry. I think those three guys broke the mold and allowed a guy like me to really get opportunities in the land of Hollywood.”
Read More: MJF: WWE Running Against AEW Isn’t A Coincidence, But Don’t Judge Them For It
