Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows have delivered one of the most compelling long-term takes on MJF’s career, comparing his trajectory to that of Randy Orton and predicting that his eventual full-time babyface run in AEW could break merchandise records for the company. Speaking on the Inside The Ring podcast, both men made the case that what fans are watching right now is only the beginning of what MJF can become.
Anderson framed MJF’s current position in historical terms. “To be able to see MJF on this rise before he’s even still in his 20s — MJF is already a main event superstar before he’s even 30. I think everybody should, love him or hate him, just try to appreciate him.” Gallows then drew the parallel to Orton’s career arc — a performer who spent years mastering the art of getting heat as a heel before eventually becoming one of the most beloved babyfaces in the business.
Luke Gallows Predicts MJF Will Break AEW Merchandise Records When He Turns Babyface
“Randy Orton comes on TV as a clean-cut babyface, immediately turns heel, learns how to get a ton of heat, and is a perennial bad guy for years,” Gallows said. “Think about 10 years from now, 15 years from now — think about the babyface that MJF will truly be when the time comes to have the full-blown, long-standing babyface run. He’ll probably break all the merchandise records in AEW.” The comparison carries genuine weight. Orton’s years of being one of wrestling’s most effective heels gave his eventual babyface turns enormous emotional impact. If MJF follows a similar arc, the payoff could be one of the defining storylines in AEW history.
