Top AEW star admits he returned from injury too early

Since MJF returned from injury, AEW's main-event scene has heated up. Between MJF, Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland, the company has three young and enticing talents to lean on when looking to close out shows.

The fact that MJF and Ospreay have found themselves embroiled in an ever-growing feud has further enhanced the viewing experience.

However, MJF has revealed that he's still not at 100 percent despite missing five months as he recovered from multiple injuries. After losing his World Championship at "AEW Worlds End" on December 30, 2023, MJF remained away from the company until May 26. Since then, he's been wrestling weekly, including a one-hour slugfest with Ospreay.

Yet, during a recent appearance on the "Cultaholic" podcast , MJF admitted that he is only around 80 percent.

"I've come back from injury, and I will tell you candidly, so here's a little clickbait for you; I'm still not 100 percent," MJF said. "I had to come back because I don't know if you noticed this, but the show without me blew... So, I came back a little bit earlier than I probably physically should have. The funny thing is I was still able to beat RUSH, Templario. Soon, it'll be Michael Oku, Kyle Fletcher, and Will Ospreay, and I'm gonna do it again on August 25th. And that's me at 80 percent."

MJF's match at "All In" will undoubtedly be a slobber knocker. He's not one to take things easy when in the ring. It's also a chance for him and Ospreay to establish themselves as the future of the company in front of a sold-out crowd at Wembley Stadium. However, sooner or later, Tony Khan must allow MJF to take some additional time off to try and get back to 100 percent or as close as possible.

AEW has been plagued with injury issues in recent years. Multiple top stars, including Adam Copeland and Kenny Omega, are currently out of the weekly rotation as they continue to recover. As such, Khan must start taking care of his talent. It's great that MJF is back in the loop, but if he's at risk of missing another five or six months later down the line, a few weeks without him is far more palatable.

Whether that happens after "All In" remains to be seen, but it should certainly happen before the end of the year.