MJF will put the AEW World Championship on the line against Zilla Fatu at House of Glory's "No Turning Back" event this coming Friday, February 20 at the NYC EventSpace (also known as Amazura Concert Hall) in Jamaica, Queens, New York.
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The bout will be a champion versus champion matchup, with Fatu holding the HOG Crown Jewel Championship, though only MJF's AEW World Championship will be at stake. The venue is located less than an hour from MJF's hometown of Plainview, New York, giving the title defense a homecoming feel for the champion.
In a promotional video for the match, MJF addressed several members of Fatu's famous Anoa'i wrestling family, including WWE stars Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, as well as Hall of Famer Rikishi.
MJF's Title Run Continues to Build
The House of Glory appearance comes just days after MJF successfully retained the AEW World Championship against Brody King at Grand Slam Australia on February 14, winning via pinfall after hitting the Heat Seeker on the ring apron. That marked the third successful defense of MJF's current reign, which began when he defeated Samoa Joe at World's End in December to become a two-time AEW World Champion.
MJF has also defended the title against Bandido on Dynamite: Maximum Carnage and against Alec Price at Limitless Wrestling in Maine, where he also announced the AEW signings of Price and Jordan Oliver. The House of Glory bout will be MJF's second defense of the title outside of AEW during this championship run.
Zilla Fatu Looks to Make a Statement
Fatu, the son of the late WWE star Umaga, has been carving out his own identity on the independent circuit while the wrestling world waits to see where his career takes him next. The 25-year-old has trained under WWE Hall of Famer Booker T at Reality of Wrestling and has held championships in both ROW and House of Glory.
A match against the AEW World Champion represents the biggest opportunity of Fatu's young career. With MJF now heading toward a likely title defense against Hangman Adam Page at AEW Revolution on March 15, it remains to be seen what kind of shape the champion will be in after taking on one of the indie scene's most explosive rising stars.