MJF to Defend AEW World Title Against Free Agent Zilla Fatu

The AEW World Champion will put his title on the line this Friday at House of Glory before his match against Hangman Page at Revolution.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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MJF, the current AEW World Champion, has announced that he will defend his title this Friday at the House of Glory independent wrestling event against free agent Zilla Fatu. This comes just weeks after MJF successfully defended the title against Brody King at AEW's Grand Slam Australia event. The champion has promised to prove that Fatu is "just another sloppy Samoan Nepo baby" and that he is the "greatest wrestler on God's green earth." Before facing Fatu, MJF will also have a face-to-face confrontation with his number one contender, Hangman Adam Page, on this week's episode of AEW Dynamite.

Why it matters

MJF defending the AEW World Championship on the independent circuit against a top free agent is highly unusual, as champions typically only defend their titles within their home promotion. This move suggests MJF's second title reign is taking a different approach compared to his first, with the champion seemingly looking to face additional challenges before his title match against Hangman Page at AEW Revolution.

The details

In his promo announcing the match, MJF insulted Zilla Fatu, calling him a "sloppy Samoan Nepo baby" and claiming he will prove he is the "greatest wrestler on God's green earth." The champion also warned that after he defeats Fatu, the young star's family members, including Rikishi and Jey Uso, will be left in tears. MJF is clearly looking to make a statement before his highly anticipated rematch with Hangman Page at the upcoming AEW Revolution pay-per-view.

  • MJF will defend the AEW World Championship against Zilla Fatu this Friday, February 20, at the House of Glory event.
  • On the February 18 episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF and Hangman Page will have a face-to-face confrontation ahead of their title match at AEW Revolution.

The players

MJF

The current AEW World Champion, known as the "Salt of the Earth," who is set to defend his title against Zilla Fatu this Friday.

Zilla Fatu

A top free agent in professional wrestling and a member of the renowned Anoa'i wrestling family, who will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship.

Hangman Adam Page

The number one contender for the AEW World Championship, who will face MJF for the title at the upcoming AEW Revolution pay-per-view.

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What they’re saying

“Zilla Fatu, people think you're next up. People think you have the potential to be the next big Samoan sensation, like The Rock, like Roman. Big shoes to fill, my friend. You know what I think? Gosh, I think you're just another sloppy Samoan Nepo baby back b---h.”

— MJF, AEW World Champion (House of Glory Wrestling)

“When I'm through with you, your uncle Rikishi is gonna cry on his podcast. Your cousin Jey is no longer gonna have the ability to yeet, and there won't be a single woman on God's green earth who will ever be willing to touch your meat.”

— MJF, AEW World Champion (House of Glory Wrestling)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

MJF's decision to defend the AEW World Championship on the independent circuit against a top free agent like Zilla Fatu is a unique and unexpected move, suggesting the champion is looking to face additional challenges before his highly anticipated rematch with Hangman Page at AEW Revolution. This move could lead to MJF offering Fatu an AEW contract, similar to his recent signings of Alec Price and Jordan Oliver.