Can AEW capitalize on Moxley’s New Japan fueled hype train?

Jon Moxley has experienced a career resurgence in 2019. The man formerly known as Dean Ambrose in WWE has flourished outside of Vince McMahon’s company and he’s become the hottest star in the business, thanks to his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling. There’s no denying that The Death Rider is light years ahead of where he was as The Lunatic Fringe.

Oddly enough, it didn’t take much for Mox to change his direction. He tweaked his look, but he’s still physically recognizable. He’s expanded his move-set in the ring, but he’s still using the same finishing move. All Jon needed was a change of scenery and more importantly, creative freedom. But will he have that freedom in AEW?

All Elite Wrestling is on the verge of making history in the industry with its prime time television debut on October 2. AEW will go live two hours every Wednesday night on the TNT Network and fans all over the world are anticipating how the program will look. But they’re also anticipating how the top stars will look and that includes Jon Moxley.

Jon’s signing with the new company wasn’t exactly a foregone conclusion. But after he left WWE, it was obvious that he needed a major platform to continue his career. Mox could have returned to the independent circuit and probably made a good living without ever returning to WWE. 

But he had worked hard in that company to build his character and despite how poorly he was handled, he did become a star. It only made sense that he would want to take that star-power and name recognition to another high profile entity that would showcase him the right way. AEW definitely seemed to be the right choice.

However, a funny thing happened on Jon’s way to AEW. He made a stop in New Japan and absolutely caught fire. While his fans surely expected Mox would rise to the occasion, they perhaps didn’t realize just how impressive he would be. Jon Moxley is a new man and it’s not just because of his new paycheck. 

Moxley has taken New Japan by the throat and made it his company. He’s as comfortable in his own skin right now than he ever has been and it could very well be that he’s never looked this good. It’s as if there is no other destination and AEW is not on the horizon. Moxley has gone full throttle and he’s excelled in every aspect of his game. 

He works each match as if it’s his last and he always leaves everything he has in the ring. Moxley has nearly reversed every negative that he experienced in WWE, which now seems to be years behind him. 

Of course much of the reason for that has to do with his aforementioned freedom. New Japan talents are not overproduced. They’re not constantly directed at every turn, or coached on what to say and when to say it. Moxley, like his New Japan peers, is allowed to do what he does best without being controlled. 

But what happens when the newly revitalized Jon Moxley steps back into the corporate world of pro wrestling? AEW’s power structure of Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks aren’t exactly a quartet of stuffed suits. In fact, AEW is their first taste of being in charge of a company. But the same is not true of the Khan family.

Tony Khan is a huge fan of the business and he seems to have great ideas. He wants a return to the old school days of pro wrestling and that’s the tone he’s attempting to set with AEW. He’s surely a fan of Jon Moxley, who he knows brings a wealth of experience and talent to the table. 

But Jon Moxley, despite how much he’s respected, will need to fall in line like everyone else in AEW. Television sponsors and the mainstream audience must be satisfied and the same is true of AEW’s hierarchy. Jon may not be the death match wrestler of old, but he is operating on his own terms right now. Will he do the same in AEW?

Then there’s the issue of what happens when Moxley hits the weekly grind of TV once again. Will AEW Creative know what to do with him, or will he become the silly head-case that fans followed in WWE? Is it even possible to mishandle him that badly again?

Maybe the move from New Japan to AEW will not be noticeable. It’s possible that Moxley will not have to change a thing and he can maintain his momentum. If that’s true, then fans would definitely be happy with his prime time TV run. But if he’s creatively stifled in the slightest, then it will likely be obvious to everyone watching.

Moxley’s newfound success is a direct result of the freedom he received after leaving WWE. He was mentally ready for the new start and he was anxious to prove that Vince McMahon’s company had made a mistake by misusing him. That buzz may eventually wear off and it may not. Maybe Moxley will keep moving at this pace despite where he’s working. 

AEW, like New Japan, undoubtedly recognizes what an asset Moxley is to the roster. Perhaps The Death Rider will continue on this career changing run when AEW goes live on October 2. Anything less would be lunacy.