Unsurprisingly, former AEW World Champion MJF has no plans to compete in the NJPW G1 Climax tournament anytime soon.
The prestigious New Japan tournament concluded on August 16 with Ryohei Oiwa emerging victorious in the final. The New Japan star defeated Yuya Uemura and won the bout via submission with a headlock.
Taking notice of the match, MJF took to social media and declared that he was “the best headlock wrestler.” At the G1 press conference, Oiwa was asked about MJF’s comments, leading to the TMDK member to offer up an invitation for the 2027 tournament:
“Well then, why don’t you bring that headlock and come up to next year’s G1? When that happens, I’ll take the title with a headlock myself.”
MJF then stated on social media that Oiwa couldn’t lace his boots, prompting a fan to call out the AEW star for not doing the G1. Responding to the fan, MJF claimed that he was the best wrestler in the world, so did not have to compete in G1 to prove otherwise.
“You’re right, I won’t. People who do that do it to prove they are the best in the world. I got nothing to prove. I already am.”
MJF Not Interested In G1 Tournament
As part of the ongoing relationship between All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, members of the AEW roster have previously made the trip over to Japan to be a part of the round robin tournament. In 2025, Konosuke Takeshita emerged as the overall winner, and went on to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
MJF has previously faced stars from New Japan at Forbidden Door pay-per-views, but has yet to compete inside a New Japan ring.
Featured image: AEW
