Professional wrestling is often defined by theatrics, bravado, and pushing boundaries—and this week, two headline-grabbing moments lit up social media. AEW’s MJF made waves after hurling an insult at a young fan, while WWE’s Ricochet went viral for his birthday shoutout to none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. For audiences in the USA and UK, where wrestling fandom thrives, these moments blend entertainment, controversy, and humor in classic wrestling fashion.
As a wrestling content creator with years of coverage across WWE, AEW, and indie circuits, I break down these moments and what they mean for fans, promotions, and performers alike. Drawing from live audience reports, talent interviews, and insider insights, here’s what you need to know.
1. MJF Calls a 9-Year-Old a “Piece of Sh*t” – In Character or Out of Line?
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is known for playing the heel to perfection. During a recent AEW meet-and-greet, he reportedly told a 9-year-old fan to “go away, you little piece of sh*t.” While some laughed it off as classic MJF, others took to social media to express outrage.
What It Means:
- In kayfabe (in-character), MJF is notorious for staying committed to his persona, even off-camera.
- From a PR perspective, moments like this toe a dangerous line, especially with minors involved.
Expert Take: Wrestling legend Eric Bischoff commented that, “Heels push buttons. The best ones always do, but timing and context are everything.”
Actionable Tip for Parents: If you’re attending a live show or meet-and-greet, know the wrestler’s character style. MJF isn’t the one to bring shy kids to for hugs.
Knows?!?
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) May 2, 2025
What a dumb piece of shit am I right? pic.twitter.com/pUtgLkRsH9
2. Ricochet Celebrates The Rock’s Birthday: “Happy Birthday to a Fellow Bald King”
In stark contrast, Ricochet won the internet with a funny and wholesome tweet:
“Happy Birthday to a fellow bald king @TheRock 😎🎈”
Happy Birthday to the 🐐 and fellow bald King.@TheRock 🧑🏽🦲👑
— Ricochet (@KingRicochet) May 3, 2025
The Rock responded with a laughing emoji and a thumbs-up, sparking an outpour of memes, fan art, and #BaldKings trending on Twitter.
What It Means:
- Ricochet is carving out his niche as a relatable and humorous star.
- These light-hearted exchanges strengthen fan engagement and humanize superstars.
Backed by Data: According to a 2023 Nielsen report, social media interactions significantly influence wrestler popularity and merchandise sales.
Pro Tip: Positive and relatable content like Ricochet’s can generate more engagement than overly scripted promos.
3. Why Moments Like These Matter
Whether it’s an edgy insult or a viral joke, these moments tell us something about the evolving nature of wrestling entertainment:
- Blurring the lines between reality and fiction keeps fans guessing.
- Engagement-first storytelling extends wrestling narratives beyond the ring.
USA & UK Relevance: With large fan bases, both countries influence how promotions craft storylines. British humor and American edginess both find their way into these interactions.
Conclusion
This week in wrestling gave us a little bit of everything—controversy, comedy, and charisma. MJF’s brash persona might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it continues to spark conversation. Meanwhile, Ricochet shows that even a light-hearted tweet can make waves and strengthen fan connections.
If you’re a wrestling fan in the USA or UK, it’s moments like these that keep the sport unpredictable and exciting.
