AJ Befumo on MJF: ‘I’m bringing the boom’
Plus–a look at CM Punk’s first-ever WrestleMania main event, John Cena’s upcoming schedule, a giant-sized error surrounding The Natural Disasters–and more in the Sunday Notes
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Is there a future for “Big Boom” AJ and MJF?
This past December, during a Boca Raton Championship Wrestling show, there was a showdown between Maxwell Jacob Friedman and “Big Boom” AJ Befumo–the social media influencer who has repeatedly impressed during his stint in AEW.
MJF wrestled QT Marshall that night. It appeared MJF was in line for the victory, but the referee was knocked out and that led to Marshall gaining the upper hand. Marshall then went for a knockout blow with a steel chair, but he was stopped by Befumo, who sent Marshall flying with a right hand.
With Marshall on the mat, there was a 15-second stare down between MJF and Befumo. The two were face to face, close enough that if there was double chunk chocolate chip cookie on either of their breaths, the other would have instantly recognized it. Following the confrontation, MJF hit a brainbuster on Marshall, closing out an entertaining match.
“I wanted to be there because it was a great chance to build pro wrestling in Boca Raton,” said Befumo. “It just so happened that MJF was wrestling that night against QT Marshall, someone I’m not very fond of. I was backstage, I’d taken a few pictures. When I saw that QT Marshall was about to do some dirty business with the chair, I wasn’t about to let that happen. So I got into the ring, got hold of the chair, and gave QT a ‘Big Boom’ right hand. Next thing I know, MJF is up in my face.”
Since then, MJF and Befumo have gone their own way.
After a superb pay-per-view match earlier this month at Revolution against Hangman Page, MJF is currently working a new storyline with The Hurt Business. He also made an appearance at Globe Life Field–the home of All In this July–on Thursday, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the Texas Rangers before their opening game of the season. Befumo also appeared at Revolution, wrestling in a six-man tag that extended his undefeated streak in AEW. More recently, he posted a new video with son, who goes by “Big Justice”, all about the brilliance of LeBron James.
But there has been no further development between Befumo and AJ.
At least, not yet.
On paper, it seems like an odd fit. MJF is on the short list of best wrestlers in the world, and Befumo has only wrestled two matches in AEW. But Befumo has plenty of experience from his time wrestling in the indies, and MJF knows how to make magic in the ring. He also knows that this, if executed correctly, could have mainstream crossover appeal.
If the two eventually do share the ring, Befumo believes it won’t end well for MJF.
“Listen, MJF,” said Befumo. “If you want to be on the wrong side of ‘Big Boom’ AJ, you never know when we might meet one day in the ring. But know that when we do meet in the ring, I’m bringing the boom.”
Hall of Fame-sized error needs correction
Earthquake and Typhoon, who teamed together as The Natural Disasters, are headed to the WWE Hall of Fame.
That honor is long overdue for John Tenta, an evolutionary talent as a heavyweight. It is also a major moment for Fred Ottman, who enjoyed the best run of his career as Typhoon.
But for all their success individually and collectively, they never teamed with Andre The Giant.
By no means is that an insult. Andre’s in-ring career with WWE was over by the time Earthquake and Typhoon were paired up together.
Yet WWE.com’s story on The Natural Disasters’ Hall of Fame induction would have you believe otherwise.
This was posted just last week. Somehow, it has yet to be corrected.
Earthquake feuded with Andre, but it never led to a match. Andre cornered The Bushwhackers in their tag match against The Natural Disasters that summer at SummerSlam ’91, which led to an outstanding moment when Hawk and Animal protected Andre–and set up the Legion of Doom-Natural Disasters feud.
Mistakes, even giant-sized ones, happen. Maybe there was confusion over The Natural Disasters and the Twin Towers, who teamed with Andre at SummerSlam in 1989.
It isn’t too late for WWE.com’s editorial staff to make a necessary correction. Until then, enjoy the story on The Natural Disasters from The Ringer.
CM Punk headlining Night One of WrestleMania
CM Punk is finally getting his WrestleMania main event.
Sort of.
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