According to Fightful Select, MJF is expected to return to AEW tonight at Full Gear in Phoenix, Arizona. His last match for the promotion was 76 days ago at All In: London.
The report notes that MJF’s travel to Phoenix was planned, and that he will likely go right into a title feud.
Fightful added that MJF was expected back much sooner, even within the company, but AEW made a minor change to its plans.
If that happens, MJF will be back 51 days ahead of his NJPW debut against Ryohei Oiwa, already set for Wrestle Kingdom 21 on January 4, 2027, at the Tokyo Dome. Before that, AEW’s next pay-per-view is Worlds End on December 19 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, five weeks after Full Gear.
MJF’s trip comes on what has been a difficult weekend for AEW in terms of travel. The FAA stopped all departures in the U.S. for more than four hours on Friday, and AEW had to send charter flights to pick up some wrestlers who weren’t in Phoenix yet. However, Bryan Alvarez did not name the wrestlers.
In a September interview with Pro Wrestling Illustrated, MJF named the AEW World Championship as his target for his return. The title will be on the line tonight, with Will Ospreay defending against Kyle Fletcher in the main event.