Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Maxwell Tyler Friedman was born on March 15, 1996, in Plainview, New York. He began his professional wrestling training with Brian Myers and Pat Buck at their Create A Pro Wrestling Academy in Hicksville, New York, making his in-ring debut in February 2015. During his early career, he wrestled under names such as Maxwell Jacob Feinstein and Pete Lightning. Friedman quickly established himself on the independent circuit, competing for promotions like Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) and Five Borough Wrestling. His formative years in these promotions allowed him to refine his in-ring skills and develop the distinctive persona that would later define his career. He captured his first significant title, the CZW Wired Championship, in May 2017 and later the CZW World Heavyweight Championship in 2018, showcasing his potential as a top-tier competitor.

In 2017, Friedman also signed with Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he further expanded his championship record, becoming the inaugural MLW World Middleweight Champion and a one-time MLW World Tag Team Champion. These early achievements solidified his reputation as a formidable presence in professional wrestling. A pivotal moment in his career came in 2018 when he signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He made his AEW debut at the company’s inaugural pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, in May 2019, participating in the 21-Man Casino Battle Royale. Over the next few years, Friedman became one of AEW’s most prominent and controversial figures, known for his aggressive, villainous character and sharp promotional skills.

His tenure in AEW has been marked by significant milestones, including becoming a one-time AEW World Champion, a reign noted as the longest in the title’s history, and a one-time AEW International Champion. He has also achieved success in tag team wrestling, notably holding the ROH World Tag Team Championship with Adam Cole. Friedman has participated in various high-profile matches and storylines, engaging in feuds with top talents such as Cody Rhodes, Jon Moxley, and CM Punk. His ability to blend reality and storyline, alongside his consistent in-ring performances, has earned him recognition and accolades within the industry, including multiple “Promo Artist of the Year” awards from ESPN and “Best on Interviews” from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Friedman has also branched into film, appearing in “The Iron Claw” (2023) and voicing a character in “Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two” (2023).