On the December 17 Holiday Bash edition of AEW Dynamite, MJF made his return to the company for the first time since All Out 2025.
Interrupting the AEW World Title contract signing to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, MJF has now made the scheduled three-way for the gold into a four-way at AEW Worlds End 2025.
With Friedman back in the promotion and guaranteed a title shot, fans could see the former AEW World Champion form his own faction to make his pursuit of the top prize in the company.
Here are seven AEW stars to potentially join a new MJF faction.
7. Wardlow
When he first made his debut in All Elite Wrestling in 2019, Wardlow became the bodyguard for MJF and would serve in this role for the next three years.
Back in 2022, Wardlow finally stood up for himself and turned on Maxwell Jacob Friedman, leading to a showdown where the big man destroyed his boss at AEW Double Or Nothing 2022.
Having crossed paths only a few times since this encounter, it would be interesting if AEW reintroduced the three-time TNT Champion through a new MJF faction.
Forgiving for their past transgressions against one another, MJF and Wardlow could come together in this new faction to take over the entire company again.
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6. Max Caster
Back in 2023, MJF found himself in need of some friends as he was dealing with Jay White, the Bang Bang Gang and the mysterious devil character.
This led to MJF embracing the friendship advances of one, Max Caster, who had long been flirting with his fellow Long Island native on social media for years.
Accepting his friendship, MJF would team with Caster and Anthony Bowens against his enemies.
With Caster now on his own, MJF could give his “friend” a lifeline through this new faction, giving him a more prominent role on AEW TV.
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5. Anthony Bowens
Speaking of Max Caster, his former tag team partner and friend Anthony Bowens would be another good option for this new MJF faction.
Over the past few months, fans have watched the former Acclaimed being forced to team with one another again.
Not wanting to retread, both men have resisted the company and fans trying to reunite the former AEW World Tag Team Champions.
If he wants a stronger unit behind him, MJF could use these reactions from the fans in his favor to unite Caster and Bowens as The Acclaimed under his new stable.
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4. Big Bill & Bryan Keith
Another AEW star that MJF has a significant connection to is Big Bill. Back in 2022, Bill made his debut in the company as a hired gun of Maxwell Jacob Friedman during his feud with Wardlow.
From there, the two Long Island, New York natives went their separate ways with not much interaction between Bill and Friedman.
Bill currently teams with Bryan Keith, but the duo have been lost in the shuffle ever since Chris Jericho abandoned them to fend for themselves in All Elite Wrestling.
Wanting to provide some guidance and leadership for this duo, MJF could step in to recruit the former Learning Tree members and give them someone to follow straight to the top of the promotion.
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3. Jeff Jarrett
To start 2025, Jeff Jarrett set out on the goal to become AEW World Champion, feeling like he only had one more year left in his career.
The WWE Hall of Famer signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2023 and wanted to reach the pinnacle of the company.
However, MJF was the man who interrupted and staked his claim to the title. Along the way, Maxwell Jacob Friedman cost Jarrett a number one contenders match that ended his bid for the gold.
MJF recruiting the legend could give this new stable an Evolution-like feel with Jarrett playing the role of Ric Flair to Friedman’s Triple H.
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2. FTR & Stokely
Back in 2021, MJF used his time in the Inner Circle to create his own faction called The Pinnacle.
Alongside FTR, Shawn Spears and Wardlow, the group was formed and helped continue MJF’s ascent to the top of the promotion.
Then, Maxwell Jacob Friedman formed an alliance with Stokely Hathaway to create a new stable by the name of The Firm.
MJF could reunite with FTR and Stokely under a new faction where their combined heel powers might be way too much for All Elite Wrestling.
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1. Chris Jericho
Another former ally of Maxwell Jacob Friedman during his time with the Inner Circle is Chris Jericho.
Back in 2019, Jericho was able to retain his AEW World Title against Cody Rhodes at Full Gear thanks to MJF turning on his mentor. This led to a bond between the two heels that would develop into a memorable alliance.
Now that Jericho has been absent from AEW television for the majority of 2025, MJF could be his way back in the door through his new group.
MJF and Jericho coming together again might be many AEW stars’ worst nightmare and could bring the world title back into their fold.
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