AEW Locker Room Reportedly Upset After Wedding Photos of MJF and Alicia Atout Leak Online
It should have been a day of celebration for MJF and longtime girlfriend Alicia Atout, who tied the knot in a private ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and several AEW stars. Instead, the newlyweds have found themselves at the center of an unexpected controversy.
The surprise wasn’t just MJF’s return on AEW Collision, where he cost Mark Briscoe his match against Konosuke Takeshita — but the fact that wedding photos had already surfaced earlier in the day, spoiling the couple’s attempt at privacy. The images, which included shots of MJF alongside AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page, reportedly left some within the company unhappy.
The Source of the Leak
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez clarified that the photos were not released by AEW personnel but instead were discovered by fans through family Facebook albums. Once circulated, the pictures spread quickly across social media.
Co-host Dave Meltzer added that while it’s not a crisis, AEW officials — and especially MJF himself — were displeased. Meltzer noted the frustration stems from MJF’s dedication to protecting his character and keeping up the illusion of real-life rivalries.
“He’s trying to be a heel from the ’70s and ’80s in 2025,” Meltzer explained. “It’s not the easiest thing to do, and he works very hard at being that kind of heel that people genuinely hate … you don’t want to break the illusion.”
Why This Matters
For MJF, image is everything. His brand of old-school heat relies on fans buying into the idea that his feuds and animosities extend beyond the ring. Wedding photos showing him in friendly company with fellow AEW stars, including those he’s feuded with, undermine the aura he’s worked to maintain.
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In the modern era of constant connectivity, it’s nearly impossible for public figures — especially wrestlers — to keep personal moments completely private. While AEW insiders may be frustrated, the bigger issue is the challenge of balancing kayfabe with reality in 2025. MJF is one of the last wrestlers committed to protecting the art of the heel persona, and situations like this highlight how fragile that illusion can be in the age of social media leaks.
