• “I’m the most famous wrestler to have never been signed to WWE” – AEW Star
Former AEW World Champion MJF made one of the boldest claims of his career during his interview with Fightful, stating that his rise to the top of professional wrestling without ever being signed by WWE is something he takes immense pride in – and something he believes no one else has ever accomplished at his level.
While reflecting on where he stands in the industry at age 29, MJF framed his success as something entirely self-made. “I like to think of the fact that at this moment, I think there’s an argument to be made that I’m the most famous professional wrestler in the history of the business to have never been signed to WWE,” MJF said. Rather than presenting it as a fluke or circumstance, he emphasized that it was the result of deliberate choices and sustained work outside wrestling’s largest company.
MJF went on to explain why that distinction matters to him personally, describing it as a point of pride rather than a limitation. “And I take a great amount of pride in that because that’s DIY,” he said. “That takes effort.” He added that building his name without the WWE machine behind him required not only talent, but commitment to carving his own path in the industry.
At the same time, MJF acknowledged that his success hasn’t come in isolation and that fan support – even when he openly resents it – played a role in elevating his profile. He delivered that acknowledgment in his trademark abrasive style, saying it also took “these disgusting troglodite marks fully marching along with me on my beaten path, which they have so far.”
The comment fit into a broader reflection on his career trajectory and ambitions, as MJF made it clear he views his current status as only a checkpoint rather than a destination. Despite being a former AEW World Champion and one of the most recognizable faces outside WWE, he stressed that he is far from satisfied and still chasing greater legacy-defining accomplishments. “AEW had me in my 20s,” he said. “They’re about to have me in my 30s. And have I accomplished more than anybody has in that period of time? Probably. But I’m not satiated.”
• WWE Almost Signed Current Champion From AEW
Before capturing championship gold in All Elite Wrestling, Harley Cameron found herself at a crossroads that could have sent her career in a completely different direction. That alternate route nearly led her to WWE, where early conversations and support briefly put her on their radar.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Cameron looked back on that period and made it clear she holds no bitterness toward WWE. In fact, she credits the company for playing a meaningful role at the very beginning of her journey, including helping her secure a green card and laying the foundation for her wrestling education.
Although she was never officially signed, WWE assisted in getting Cameron trained at Flatbacks Wrestling School, operated by Tyler Breeze and Shawn Spears. Cameron explained that while things initially felt promising, the timing simply didn’t line up. Behind the scenes, WWE was undergoing internal changes, including staff departures and structural shifts, which appeared to stall any potential next step.
As that uncertainty lingered, another door quietly opened. Cameron began receiving opportunities with AEW, starting with appearances on AEW Dark. Those chances quickly snowballed, eventually leading to a full contract offer – one that would redefine her career trajectory.
Looking back, Cameron admitted WWE had been her original destination in mind, even though nothing ever materialized beyond conversations. She acknowledged how close she came to going down that road, but also recognized how fate intervened at the right moment.
Now firmly established in AEW and thriving alongside Willow Nightingale as the first ever AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions, Cameron credits Tony Khan for believing in her early. She noted that when AEW signed her, she had fewer than two dozen matches under her belt.
For Cameron, the experience reshaped how she views missed opportunities. What once felt like a closed door ultimately became a redirection toward something better. In hindsight, she sees her journey as proof that when one path fades away, it may simply be clearing the way for the right one to appear.
