For a performer as dedicated to his character as MJF, the line between on-screen persona and private life is fiercely protected. That line has now been blurred, as a new report suggests both Maxwell Jacob Friedman and other AEW talents are unhappy about photos from his wedding circulating online.
The issue stems from the pictures damaging the kayfabe of his top-heel character. A group photo that surfaced from his September 5th wedding to fellow AEW personality Alicia Atout features Friedman alongside numerous company figures, including his bitter rival, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page.
During a recent Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer detailed the frustration within the company over the leak, which is believed to have originated from a family member’s social media.
“Here’s the thing on that, I know that they’re not particularly happy it happened,” Meltzer explained. “He’s trying to be a heel from the 70s and 80s in 2025. And it’s not the easiest thing to do. And he works very hard at being that kind of a heel that people genuinely hate and trying to make. And there’s nothing wrong with trying to create the illusion that these feuds are real.”
The wedding itself was a significant enough event that the Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor show was reportedly rescheduled so that CEO Tony Khan and other talent could attend the ceremony in Long Island. However, the subsequent photo leak has seemingly created a headache for one of wrestling’s most committed performers.