MJF Says He Considered WWE Stars CM Punk and Cody Rhodes Mentors But in Wildly Different Ways

AEW superstar MJF admits that CM Punk and Cody Rhodes both played major roles in his career. However, he claims there are huge differences in how the pair of WWE stars were mentors to him.

Without a shadow of a doubt, MJF is the top homegrown star in the short history of AEW. While he had a growing name on the independent scene before he joined the company in 2019, he has reached an elite level under the guidance of the AEW staff.

Related: 10 CM Punk Matches We Need To See In The Second Half Of 2024, Including Versus Finn Balor And Gunther

However, there have also been several veterans who have had a part in helping the 28-year-old morph into one of the most popular performers in the industry today. Many followers of the sport know that current WWE champion Cody Rhodes was a help in MJF’s evolution. However, during a recent interview, the former AEW world champion revealed CM Punk also played a role in his maturation.

MJF says CM Punk was a ‘mentor through hate’

“I think I would use the word mentor through hate,” MJF said during an appearance on the “Casual Conversations” podcast . “I was mentored by probably two of the most intelligent guys in the business. One was through love [Cody Rhodes], and one was through hate.”

The man known as Maxwell Jacob Friedman, unfortunately, didn’t expand on what he meant by mentoring through hate in the interview. It could mean the pair of stars locked horns often during their memorable feud in 2022. It could also mean that CM Punk showed him how to rise to the top through hateful determination.

Either way, the two legends had a notable role in the rise of one of the top performers in the professional wrestling industry today.

Related: Cody Rhodes Knew AEW Run Was Not Going To Last And There Was Something Better

Follow us on YouTube and get front-row access to our latest insights and analysis – subscribe now and never miss a knockout moment .

More must-reads:

• Tony Khan Discusses AEW Future For Bryan Danielson Ahead Of Big Title Match
• Cody Rhodes Knew AEW Run Was Not Going To Last And There Was Something Better
• Is A Rhodes Brothers Reunion In WWE On The Horizon? Dustin Rhodes Gives Major Update On AEW Contract