July 28, 2025 — In a recent Twitter exchange that has caught the attention of wrestling fans and sports enthusiasts alike, AEW veteran and on-screen manager Don Callis expressed his strong opinion on NBA legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James, connecting the conversation to his AEW faction, the Don Callis Family (DCF). According to Callis, Michael Jordan would be the ideal fit for his wrestling faction, while LeBron James, despite his immense success, falls short of that mark.[4][1]
The dialogue began when noted wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer commented on Twitter that LeBron James, though a dominant figure and draw for the National Basketball Association, did not “save” the league, much like how the late Hulk Hogan’s popular narrative of “saving” pro wrestling in the 1980s has been questioned. Meltzer wrote:
“LeBron didn’t save the NBA. He was the biggest drawing card for years, but you can’t save something that was very healthy previously.”[1]
Callis responded with a pointed rebuttal, stating bluntly,
“LeBron is a mark. Jordan is DCF material.”[1]
By calling LeBron a “mark,” a wrestling term referring to someone who is seen as an overhyped fan or not genuine in certain circles, Callis expressed his lower regard for James’s persona in comparison to Jordan’s legendary status and competitive aura. His proclamation that Jordan fits perfectly with the Don Callis Family faction highlights Callis’ vision for his AEW stable to embody qualities he associates with Jordan — dominance, confidence, and a compelling figure who commands respect both inside and outside the ring.
The Don Callis Family: AEW’s Ambitious Faction
The Don Callis Family, which has gained prominence on AEW programming, operates as a heel (villainous) faction under Callis’s charismatic guidance. Known for blending real-world personalities and wrestling storylines, the faction seeks to recruit or emulate figures who represent excellence and iconoclasm.
According to sources close to AEW and reported by Fightful, Callis’s strategy behind the faction is to create a legacy group that transcends wrestling itself, borrowing from sports and pop culture icons to boost its prestige and relatability.[2][3] The idea of including an NBA icon like Michael Jordan, even hypothetically, underlines Callis’s ambition to elevate AEW’s storytelling with larger-than-life characters.
Wrestling’s Ongoing Conversation About Sports Icons
The comparison between LeBron James and Hulk Hogan has been a controversial subject in the wrestling world, with varying perspectives on Hogan’s actual role in rejuvenating wrestling during the 1980s. Meltzer’s observation that wrestling was already thriving before Hogan’s rise adds nuance to the enduring mythos surrounding Hogan’s impact.[1] Similarly, Callis’s dismissal of LeBron and endorsement of Jordan touches on the broader debate about which sports figures truly transcend their fields and influence popular culture.
For wrestling fans following AEW and WWE news, these discussions underscore the fluid relationship between wrestling’s scripted nature and genuine sports legacies. WWE.com recently highlighted similar instances where athletes crossing over into wrestling — whether as performers or inspirations — helped broaden wrestling’s appeal to mainstream audiences.[2]
Behind the Scenes: AEW’s Vision and Callis’s Role
Sources from backstage indicate that Don Callis remains a key creative force in AEW, influencing not only storyline directions but faction compositions and wrestling politics. His outspoken nature and deep wrestling background have positioned him uniquely to merge wrestling with broader entertainment narratives, including references to culturally iconic sports figures.
A WWE insider noted in a July 2025 podcast that Callis’s public comments on social media often reflect genuine backstage ambitions to blur the lines between wrestling fiction and real sports drama, making AEW storylines more captivating for a diverse fanbase.[3]
The Impact on AEW’s Popularity and Fan Engagement
The notion of bringing in or aligning with a figure like Michael Jordan, even in theory, resonates strongly with fans who appreciate cross-industry collaborations. This dialogue stimulates fan conversations on forums and social media, increasing AEW’s visibility during a competitive wrestling entertainment era. Media outlets such as PWMania and EWrestlingNews are tracking these developments closely, highlighting how wrestling factions seek relevancy by associating with universally respected personalities.[1][4]
Final Thoughts
Don Callis’s recent comments solidify his vision for the Don Callis Family faction as a symbol of elite status within AEW wrestling. By placing Michael Jordan high on his list of “family material” and concurrently downplaying LeBron James’s cultural weight, Callis draws attention to the complex interplay between sports celebrity and wrestling storytelling.
It remains to be seen whether AEW will pursue any further crossover opportunities inspired by this sentiment or simply use the rhetoric to enhance Callis’s faction’s storyline impact. For now, wrestling fans and sports followers alike have fresh debates to engage with, revolving around who truly embodies greatness both in the ring and beyond.
Reported by [Your Name], Professional Wrestling Journalist.
Sources: PWMania, 411Mania, EWrestlingNews, Fightful, WWE.com