In a recent interview with GQ, AEW World Champion MJF discussed his work ethic, his dedication to his on-screen character, his strategy to entertain the audience during his matches, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On getting the audience to react: “That’s what makes it interesting. It’s visceral. You can see that through the screen and I’m making you have an emotional response. Other guys in our sport, they’re beating the shit out of each other and hitting moves that look crazy. And if you listen to the crowd, they’ll come up when the big thing happens. But you’ll also hear the big gaps of silence because they’re not emotionally invested in the participants. You’re emotionally invested in MJF, and you’re emotionally invested in anybody I get in the ring with because I give you no choice. I’m involved, and you care about what I’m doing because you care about me.”
On loving wrestling after watching Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock in 2002: “When they hear that, it almost hurts them. When they talk about their childhood wrestler, maybe it’s Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, or The Rock, and I’m over here talking about Brock as the guy when I was a kid. It makes people sick.”
On getting the Kangaroo Kick over: “There’s a level between being able to put your hands up like two kangaroo paws and a crowd literally freaks out and screams at the top of their lungs. Other guys have to do something like a reverse hurricanrana off the top rope to the floor to elicit the same noise level. That’s the difference between me and everybody else.”
On being ‘our scumbag’: “Nobody wants to cheer for a dude who’s squeaky clean. I think there’s a reason why Superman movies have almost never hit, bro. I love Superman, but Batman’s where it’s at because Batman’s more interesting. There’s more depth there. The guy’s not perfect, and that’s something that everyone can relate to.”
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AEW World Champion MJF recently sat down for an interview with GQ, where he discussed his work ethic, dedication to his on-screen character, and strategy to entertain the audience during his matches. In the interview, MJF emphasized the importance of eliciting an emotional response from the audience and explained how he achieves this.
One of the key aspects of MJF’s approach is making the audience emotionally invested in him and his matches. He believes that this sets him apart from other wrestlers who may perform impressive moves but fail to connect with the crowd on an emotional level. MJF stated, “You’re emotionally invested in MJF, and you’re emotionally invested in anybody I get in the ring with because I give you no choice. I’m involved, and you care about what I’m doing because you care about me.”
MJF also shared his love for wrestling and revealed that his childhood favorite wrestler was Brock Lesnar. He acknowledged that this choice might surprise some fans who have different childhood favorites like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, or The Rock. However, MJF believes that his unique perspective adds to his appeal and makes him stand out from the crowd.
During the interview, MJF discussed one of his signature moves, the Kangaroo Kick, and how he has successfully gotten the audience to react to it. He explained that there is a distinct difference between a move that elicits a loud response from the crowd and one that doesn’t. According to MJF, his ability to generate a strong reaction from the audience with a simple gesture like putting his hands up like kangaroo paws sets him apart from other wrestlers who rely on more complex maneuvers.
Furthermore, MJF addressed the importance of portraying a flawed character rather than a perfect hero. He compared Superman movies, which have struggled to resonate with audiences, to Batman, a character with more depth and relatability. MJF believes that people are more inclined to cheer for a character like Batman because of his imperfections, as it allows them to connect on a more personal level.
In conclusion, MJF’s interview with GQ shed light on his work ethic, dedication to his character, and strategy to engage the audience during his matches. By prioritizing emotional investment, embracing his unique perspective, and portraying a flawed character, MJF has carved out a distinct identity in the world of professional wrestling. Fans can continue to follow MJF’s journey and stay updated with wrestling news on eWrestlingNews.com.