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Jon Moxley checked another one off the bucket list when he squared off against Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW Interim Championship. A dream match years in the making finally came to fruition. Over the last three years, the Purveyor of Violence has been checking many things off his bucket list.
Since leaving WWE, a company where he was miserable and unfulfilled, Moxley has made monumental strides, both professionally and personally. Championship gold across multiple promotions, industry awards, and creative freedom have put Jon Moxley at the top of wrestling's hierarchy. Several marquee wrestlers have left Vince McMahon over the last several years, but Moxley's run has stood out above the rest.
Moxley's Arrival In AEW Made Him Feel Like A Huge Star
At the inaugural Double Or Nothing PPV, Jon Moxley boar through the capacity crowd on his way to Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. The then fresh AEW crowd lit up like a firework, thrilled to see Moxley as an honest version of himself. The moment was exhilarating, monumental, and helped propel him and the promotion into the stratosphere.
Since that unforgettable segment, Moxley has been placed squarely in the main event picture, exactly where he belongs. Less than one year after his thrilling debut, Jon Moxley defeated Chris Jericho to win the AEW Championship.
While his championship reign was plagued by a literal plague (Covid-19), Moxley utilized his extensive talent to the best of his ability. Despite crowd-less shows and PPVs, Moxley had an amazing run as champion. His match quality never dipped, his in-ring psychology was next-level, and he delivered some of the most impactful promos North America had seen in years.
Moxley put AEW on his back and helped carry it over one of the most treacherous it will likely ever see. His work during the company's early days and the pandemic will forever cement him as an integral part of AEW's history.
Jon Moxley Thrives In NJPW & GCW
Moving to AEW provided Jon Moxley with a lot of freedom. Not only was he given the creative freedom to develop his character, but he was also given flexibility with his working schedule. Tony Khan allowed Jon to work at other promotions, and as a man who loves to fight - Moxley couldn't have asked for anything more.
Moxley has found homes away from home in GCW (Game Changer Wrestling) and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Being able to work in the different promotions is a blessing in itself, but the Death Rider has seen major success working outside AEW. He is currently the GCW World Champion, with a reign lasting a whopping ten months. His latest run with New Japan also saw him winning gold in the IWGP United States Championship.
Jon Moxley Works With Legends And Future Stars
As cool as Moxley looks strutting through the crowd with a championship flung across his shoulder, something more magical has come out of his work across these promotions. A plethora of dream matches has been filling Moxley's bin of late. He's shared the ring with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay, Minoru Suzuki, Satoshi Kojima, and Nick Gage.
In addition to working with these legends, he's also given the rub to the stars of tomorrow. Over the last year, he's worked with the likes of Dante Martin, Speedball Mike Bailey, and Anthony Bowens. Each of those young wrestlers was able to shine, even in defeat.
Perhaps the most notable example is his match with Wheeler YUTA on an April edition of AEW Rampage. Moxley and YUTA put on an absolute clinic. The match psychology was a masterclass, and saw YUTA pouring buckets of blood, kicking out of Paradigm Shifts, and screaming for more. It was a star-making performance and enough for Moxley to welcome Wheeler YUTA into the newly formed Blackpool Combat Club.
Jon Moxley Improved His Personal Life
Career highlights are all well and good, but the most important improvements to Moxley's post-WWE life may have happened away from the ring. The Death Rider released a memoir that received critical acclaim. He welcomed his first child into the world with his wife, Renee Paquette.
After that incredible milestone, Jon Moxley took it upon himself to get sober. In November 2021, Mox took time off from pro wrestling to enter an inpatient alcohol treatment program. With tremendous support from Tony Khan, his fellow wrestlers, and his fans, Jon could take the time he needed for himself and his family.
Moxley was greeted with a hero's welcome upon his return. The new and improved Moxley looked to be in the best shape of his career, and since then his in-ring work has been exemplary.
Now, over three years removed from his stint with WWE, Moxley is on top of the wrestling world again. He's in one of the hottest factions in the industry, he holds the AEW Interim Championship, and is producing weekly bangers all over the world. More importantly, Jon Moxley is doing this his way.