MJF has explained his in-ring style and ability to get the simplest things over.
The AEW World Champion believes that a clothesline is more effective than a Canadian Destroyer and can get the crowd to erupt over a simple bodyslam. With others needing to go full speed from bell to bell, The Devil has explained how he works the crowd to get the same reaction.
Speaking with GQ Sports, the World Champion contrasted his style with a spot fest. MJF described how the crowd will only cheer for the big moves in other matches but they will pay attention in his:
“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.
At All In, The World Champion added the Kangaroo Kick to his repertoire. Continuing the interview, MJF backed up his previous point by describing how he can whip the crowd up into a frenzy over the simplest of manoeuvres:
“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.”
MJF Remembers His Feat Of Strength
With Adam Cole out of action until further notice, the other half of the ROH Tag Team Champions was forced to go it alone at All In by defending the titles against The Righteous at WrestleDream. Promising to deliver a bodyslam in the match, the crowd went crazy for MJF’s “Slam That Shook Seattle.”
MJF’s next World Championship defence will take place at AEW Full Gear.