Things have gotten testy around the Forbidden Door over the past few years. How much of it is real, and how much of it storyline? Whatever your suspicions there, wrestling fans and media have been talking about the on-sided nature of the New Japan/AEW partnership almost since its inception. In recent years, New Japan talent started saying some of the same things — especially as more and more NJPW stars jumped to Tony Khan’s promotion.
It’s been pretty quiet from the AEW side of things… until Maxwell
Jacob Friedman placed first in this year’s PWI 500, the annual ranking of the 500 best active professional wrestlers from Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In an interview with the magazine after the honor had been announced, MJF didn’t hold back when asked about the man in the above Instagram, calling New Japan “not a real company” and the company’s two-time & reigning champ Yota Tsuji “a World champion of being skinny fat.”
Fast-forward to today (Oct. 7) at NJPW’s Road to King of Pro Wrestling show, Tsuji had just wrestled when MJF popped up on the big screen. His challenge wasn’t for the IWGP champ though. It was for one of his opponents in that tag match — G1 Climax winner Ryohei Oiwa.
A recent addition to the group of stars New Japan is pushing to replace those who’ve departed for AEW or WWE, Oiwa just won the prestigious G1 Climax in a final that seemed to reinvigorate the NJPW fanbase. “The Grip”, as he is known, finishes his opponents with a headlock he calls “Big Rock”. He’s using the title shot he earned for winning the G1 on Monday’s King of Pro Wrestling PPV-level event. And he looks to have a future date with a man who’s won a match or two with a headlock: Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
When Max popped up on the ‘tron at Korakuen Hall on Wednesday, he said:
“Three-time AEW World champion, the best professional wrestling in the world, the generational talent — the one true champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman. Let’s face it folks. New Japan Professional Wrestling isn’t a real company. I mean the fact the fans think New Japan matters in 2026 is laughable. Every single top star you have ever had has left because they know that this place is second-rate.
“Oiwa… are you a chubby little child? In my opinion, yes. However! Also in my opinion I firmly believe you’re the best New Japan has to offer. So if I end you? I’m one step closer to locking the Forbidden Door, to ending New Japan Professional Wrestling, to ending Japanese wrestling fandom as a whole, because let’s face it — it’s a blight on our society. And the best part, “Grip”? We’re gonna see who the real king of the headlock is when I beat you smack-dab in the middle of the ring with a headlock takeover.
“Hell, I’ll even sweeten the deal, kid. I’ll put the Triple B — you know, unlike the fake thing Will Ospreay’s parading around — I will Triple B, the actual AEW World title, on the line. So are you man enough, Grip? Can you defend yourself, your company, your country? Let’s find out who the true master of the headlock is.
“Spoiler alert: [Whispers] It’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman — M… J… F [kisses his own Dynamite Diamond Ring].”
Will Max be in Tokyo for King of Pro Wrestling on Monday, ready to greet Oiwa after his showdown with Tsuji? Could it be (real) belt for (not real) belt at WrestleDream?
