During the massive AEW All In weekend in Texas, we had the chance to sit down with one of the most surprising and beloved stars on the roster, Big Boom AJ. While we covered his incredible journey and his deep love for wrestling history, the biggest takeaway was a challenge laid out for a certain former AEW World Champion. When asked if he had a dream match in mind, AJ did not hesitate, naming none other than Maxwell Jacob Friedman. “I think one day,” AJ stated, “it’s got to come down to Big Boom AJ and MJF.”

It’s a match that makes a world of sense, pitting two personalities from the tri-state area against each other. For AJ, who began his professional wrestling journey at 49 years old, a match against a top-tier talent like MJF would be the culmination of a truly unexpected career path that has taken him from the New Jersey independent scene to the biggest shows in AEW history.

To compete at that level, AJ stays in incredible shape, and he told us what powers him through his workouts. When asked what music he cranks in the gym, AJ cited some classic rock and hip-hop.

“I love ’80s rock,” he said. “I’m listening to Guns and Roses. I love ’80s rap. So, I’m listening to Beastie Boys, Run DMC. I do like some of the newer stuff as well. More of the stuff that’s going to get you motivated, stuff that’s going to get you moving.”

His love for the classics extends to his wrestling fandom. We put him on the spot and asked him to create a “starter mixtape” of matches for any fan just getting into wrestling. His list was a masterclass in wrestling history. He started with the Road Warriors vs. The Nasty Boys from SummerSlam 1991, noting the historical significance. With that victory, the Road Warriors (as The Legion of Doom) became the first team in history to have held the AWA, WCW, and WWF World Tag Team Championships.

Next, he named the unforgettable clash between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III, a match that defined an era. He rounded out his list with the groundbreaking ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon from WrestleMania X, a bout that set a new standard for innovation in the ring. He also made sure to give an honorable mention to the technical masterpiece between Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and “Macho Man” Randy Savage from WrestleMania III.

When the topic of Mount Rushmores came up, AJ had some definitive picks for his all-time favorites, including the Road Warriors and Hulk Hogan. He then gave us his list for a modern AEW-specific Mount Rushmore.

“Let’s go right here, right now today. AEW. Swerve [Strickland] is on there… Gotta go Will [Ospreay]. We’re gonna put Will on there. Let’s go Kenny [Omega] and let’s go Hangman [Adam Page].”

It was a fascinating look inside the mind of Big Boom AJ. But to find out if his knowledge of history extends to the actual Mount Rushmore, you’ll have to watch the full interview to see if he could name the four presidents carved in stone.

Watch more of our interviews from ALL IN weekend here.