AJ Styles' "MJ" Rejects WWE Pay For WrestleMania Moment, Cites Compensation Disparity
AEW World champion Michael "MJ" Jackson has publicly rejected the notion of accepting lower pay or worse booking conditions to compete in a WrestleMania event. Speaking with Denise Salcedo ahead of his AEW Revolution 2026 title defense, MJF argued that wrestlers should not jump leagues for equal compensation and emphasized he will only wrestle where paid fairly based on their talent value. His comments were made while addressing recent controversies involving Ronda Rousey criticizing UFC's TKO fighters underpayment as a parallel to wrestling industry pay disparities.
Key Points
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1AEW World Champion MJF argues that joining WWE for lower pay and worse booking is a foolish decision made by many performers.
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2MJF explicitly states he will never settle for less compensation, even if it meant achieving what some call 'a WrestleMania moment'.
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3The discussion centers on the financial disparity between AEW wrestlers (cited as better paid) compared to UFC fighters and WWE talent.
Developments
AEW World Champion MJF criticized the logic of top wrestlers leaving AEW for WWE despite lower pay, citing his own high earnings and those peers like Swerve Strickland as proof that compensation is tied directly to performance rather than legacy or prestige. He emphasized that professional wrestling requires a unique level of athleticism distinct from other sports models athletes who often leave their craft due to financial reasons related
AEW World Champion MJF praised his promotion as home to the world's premier athletes and emphasized that wrestlers deserve fair pay based on their talent rather than fame or other entertainment sectors' standards. He explicitly rejected defining his legacy by achieving moments at WWE WrestleMania, instead stating he wants a future where compensation allows him to provide comfort for himself while giving opportunities of education, travel, luxury goods, security in life and family stability
MJF stated during an interview that he would refuse lower pay in exchange solely for the opportunity of wrestling at AEW's Revolution 2026 event or having a WrestleMania moment. He emphasized his commitment to earning compensation based on professional wrestler standards and asserted that true legacy is defined by providing financial security, such as education and travel opportunities, for future generations rather than achieving specific in-ring milestones alone.
Ahead of his AEW World Championship defense at Revolution pay-per-view on April 20th, MJF stated that he would accept no reduction in earnings even if it meant missing the event. He emphasized this stance by listing top-tier competitors like Kevin Owens and Jon Moxley to illustrate why professional wrestling talent deserves fair compensation for their craft rather than settling less money just "to get booked."
AEW World Champion MJF argues that professional wrestlers should be compensated based on their talent rather than accepting lower pay for a "WrestleMania moment." He emphasizes his financial security as the foundation of his family's future and rejects settling less money in exchange for greater booking opportunities.