There’s an update on Jon Moxley’s status following Forbidden Door.

Moxley went one-on-one with NJPW’s “Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi on June 26. The match was contested for the interim AEW World Championship. In the end, it was Moxley who scored the win to capture the interim gold.

When the PPV went off the air, Moxley told fans inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois that he may have had a concussion.

This left many fans concerned as Adam Cole suffered a legit concussion earlier in the show and AEW has been hit hard with injuries.

Jon Moxley is Fine

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer is reporting that Jon Moxley does not have a concussion.

The report notes that Moxley saying he has a concussion was becoming a bit of a shtick with him after a bloody match but he’s likely going to stop doing it so people don’t get worried.

Injuries have derailed a ton of plans for AEW, so this latest bit of news surely comes as a sigh of relief to fans and those within the company.

Moxley is scheduled to compete at Blood & Guts on the June 29 episode of AEW Dynamite.

Sunday’s AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view featured a loaded card that delivered with high-quality in-ring action that was praised by many fans despite a lackluster build due to injury bug hitting the AEW roster hard leading up to the event. 

In the main event, Jon Moxley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the interim AEW World Championship. Post-match, there was a brawl between with Blackpool Combat Club (Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz) and the Jericho Appreciation Society (Chris Jericho, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager & Sammy Guevara) ahead of their Blood & Guts match on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite. 

Moxley grabbed the microphone once the cameras stopped rolling and did a promo about how pro-wrestling is the ‘best f**king thing in the world.’ 

AEW President Tony Khan also addressed the fans in attendance before Negative One, son of the late Brodie Lee, was given the live mic.

The Jericho Appreciation Society earned the advantage in the Blood & Guts match during Forbidden Door when Minoru Suzuki, Jericho & Guevara defeated Kingston, Shota Umino & Yuta.

No other matches have yet to be confirmed for this upcoming episode of Dynamite. 

The recent string of AEW and NJPW injuries forced Tony Khan and company to make many major changes to the Forbidden Door PPV. This included the main event of the show which featured Jon Moxley instead of CM Punk.

Dave Meltzer talked about the PPV event on Wrestling Observer Radio. He revealed that the Hardcore star was originally expected to be on the opposite end of the card.

The original idea for Jon Moxley was for him to be part of the six-man tag team match that opened the show. The bout saw Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta, and Eddie Kingston going up against Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, and Minoru Suzuki.

The interim AEW world champion would have joined Shota Umino who has been his protege. Though it’s unknown whether he would have replaced anyone from Yuta and Kingston, or they planned on adding a fourth contestant to Jericho’s team instead.

CM Punk won the AEW World Heavyweight Championship from Hangman Page at Double or Nothing in May. However, he had to step away from the company only days later after suffering a broken foot.

Jon Moxley ended up replacing him in the match against Hiroshi Tanahashi at Forbidden Door. Mox won this bout to become the interim AEW World Champion.

• AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door Results (6/26/22): Interim AEW Champion Crowned, Claudio Castagnoli Debuts

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jon Moxley was booked as the main event of the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view event to determine the Interim AEW World Heavyweight Champion. 

Moxley with the early offense. Mox with the slingblade and Mox was cut open. Tanahashi with a frog splash off the top rope for 2. Moxley with a clothesline then several elbow shots and a rear-naked choke. Moxley with the death rider for the win. 

Post-match, Chris Jericho and Daniel Garcia beat down Moxley and Tanahashi. Eddie Kingston ran out then Santana, Ortiz, Yuta then the rest of JAS came out before Claudio made the save. 

Because CM Punk had to get surgery to fix a foot injury, he will be sidelined, but he won’t be vacating the AEW World Heavyweight Title as AEW President Tony Khan didn’t want to do that. There’s still no word yet on how long Punk will be out of action. Instead, there was an AEW Interim World Championship Eliminator Series booked. 

The way it worked was there was a battle royal held at the top of the June 8th edition of Dynamite, that was won by Kyle O’Reilly. In the main event, O’Reilly took on Moxley with Mox coming out on top. 

At Dominion, Hiroshi Tanahashi went over Hirooki Goto to advance to the finals. 

What are your thoughts on Jon Moxley winning the Interim AEW World Heavyweight Title? Was this the right call by AEW officials? Sound off in the comment section.

AEW and NJPW are set to present one of the biggest cross-promotional events in the history of American Wrestling in Forbidden Door this Sunday. Though the two promotions were not on such good terms just a couple of years back. NJPW officials were not happy with The Elite for leaving the promotion to found their own company. At a time when the two organizations didn’t even have a line of communication, Jon Moxley became the bridge that helped close the gap.

The former AEW world champion was one of the first major stars to be working for both the companies simultaneously. He was a major catalyst in opening up the line of communication between the two wrestling promotions. Mox talked about being one of the most important figures that helped build this relationship during his recent appearance on The Sessions podcast.

Moxley was one of the first names to popularize the Forbidden Door term. However, he claimed that he is over it now because a Forbidden Door does not exist between AEW and New Japan anymore:

“I really am over that term myself.” said Jon Moxley, “Everybody is using that. Tanahashi actually coined it but now it’s not forbidden anymore because now there’s a nice little working relationship. So the door is not forbidden anymore. There are [other] forbidden doors but there does not exist one between AEW and New Japan.”

• Jon Moxley On His Time In Rehab: “One Therapist I Had Straight Up Told Me To Retire”

‘People Told Me To Stop Working For New Japan’: Jon Moxley

Jon then recalled the time when AEW and NJPW did not want to talk to each other. Per the former WWE star, there were plenty of people who told him to stop working for the Japanese promotion. Though he knew that it would be the end of all possibility of a crossover if he did so:

“There were plenty of people that told me to stop working for New Japan. They did not understand it, they were like ‘you should stop going there.’ I knew that I was like the last linchpin, the last domino. If I fell then there would be no communication ever. There were so many people on both sides that were agreeing with me. It just didn’t open the communication. I think like when that Harold guy got fired from New Japan I think that kind of opened it up a little bit.”

You can watch his full interview below:

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• Corey Graves Makes The Case For Unifying IC And US Championships

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

Back in 2021 AEW President Tony Khan made a shocking announcement on Twitter revealing that top company superstar and former world champion Jon Moxley would be entering an alcohol treatment center, and would be out of action for some time trying to get sober. The response for Mox was largely supportive, and many, including fans and colleagues, wished him the best.

The Purveyor of Violence made his grand return to AEW at the tail end of the year looking like a million bucks, and has since formed the Blackpool Combat Club with William Regal and Bryan Danielson. He will also be entering this Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view with the chance of becoming the new AEW interim world champion.

While speaking with his wife Renee Paquette on the latest episode of The Sessions Moxley opened up about his time in rehab, and what eventually led him to making the decision.

“The not drinking part is easy. It’s not like I have some desire to drink. I have no desire to drink. I can’t even imagine drinking right now. Not drinking was easy. I wanted to stop drinking for a long time. I was trying to quit drinking for a long time. Just dealing with all the after effects and what happens to you physically when your body goes through this metamorphosis, trying to re-calibrate itself has not been easy.”

The revelation for Moxley was not easy. He reveals that a therapist suggested to him that he quit the business that he loves so much.

“The one therapist I had straight up told me to retire. She said, ‘Start a wrestling school. Train some kids. You know what the problem is? You gotta get out of there.’ I was like, ‘I don’t think it’s that.’”

Despite the suggestion Moxley continues to make a large impact in the pro-wrestling circuit, and has remained one of AEW most over acts since that incredible debut back at Double or Nothing 2019. When discussing his first match back after rehab Moxley admits that it was hard for him find his rhythm again.

“So my first match back, you think it’s gonna be like, ‘Okay, well, now you’re sober so you’re just going to feel like a million dollars.’ It doesn’t really work like that. It was weird. It was like my legs were in quicksand. I didn’t have any adrenaline, not that I didn’t have any adrenaline, so much is like, I wasn’t nervous.”

Moxley would eventually find his rhythm again, and has continued proving why he’s world champion material. He later adds that not going into a match hungover or feeling like crap has been massively beneficial.

“I think people who probably don’t spend their lives partying too much or whatever, probably take for granted just waking up in the morning and feeling good. I feel like I’m cheating. Like, the novelty hasn’t fully worn off of not having a hangover. Just like waking up and being like, okay, I don’t have to worry about being massively dehydrated or feeling like crap or whatever.”

Moxley will take on The Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi at this Sunday’s Forbidden Door.

(Quotes via WrestlingNews.Co)

The betting odds have been released for the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view event. 

The card for the show that takes place this Sunday is nearly finalized. So far, five titles are on the line. 

Some of the more notable odds include Jon Moxley expected to win the Interim AEW World Heavyweight Title when he battles Hiroshi Tanahashi while Miro is the leading candidate to win the All-Atlantic Championship

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Odds

As a reminder, we will be providing coverage of the show this Sunday. The favorites to win are listed as – while the underdogs are listed with +. Here are the final betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:

Jon Moxley -250 (2/5) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi +170 (17/10) – AEW Interim World Championship Match 

Thunder Rosa (c) -500 (1/5) vs. Toni Storm +300 (3/1) – AEW Women’s Championship Match 

Malakai Black +125 (5/4) vs. Miro +125 (5/4) vs. PAC +400 (4/1) vs. Tomohiro Ishii +800 (8/1) – AEW All-Atlantic Championship Match 

Will Ospreay (c) -800 (1/8) vs. Orange Cassidy +400 (4/1) – IWGP US Championship Match

FTR -150 (2/3) vs. Roppongi Vice +200 (2/1) vs. United Empire +275 (11/4) – IWGP/ ROH World Tag Team Championship Match 

Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki & Sammy Guevara -150 (2/3) vs. Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta & Eddie Kingston +110 (11/10) – Six-Man Tag Match

Jon Moxley will be sharing the ring with a former WWE superstar for the first time.

Moxley has been on a roll as of late. He’s a currently member of the Blackpool Combat Club and he’ll be vying for the interim AEW World Championship. He’ll take on Japanese wrestling legend Hiroshi Tanahashi at Forbidden Door on June 26.

Moxley also happens to be the reigning GCW World Champion.

Jon Moxley’s Next GCW Title Challenger

Jon Moxley had a successful GCW World Title defense over Tony Deppen at the GCW You Wouldn’t Understand event. After the match, Blake Christian made his way to the ring and he had a staredown with Moxley.

It was then shown on the screen that Moxley will defend his GCW gold against Christian at The People vs. GCW in Nashville on July 29.

Christian was known as Trey Baxter on WWE’s NXT brand. He was released from the company back in Nov. 2021.

Jon Moxley‘s autobiography, MOX, is now available in audio form after the initial book was released on November 2, 2021, via Simon and Schuster publishing.

MOX is narrated by the AEW star himself, which makes it even better. The run time is listed as 9 hours and 6 minutes long.  You can check it out on Audible. 

After making a name for himself on the independent scene, he joined WWE where he was repackaged as Dean Ambrose and made his main roster debut as a member of The Shield along with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. After years with the company and several championships held, Moxley made the call to leave WWE in 2019 where he signed with AEW. 

Jon Moxley Book Description

The description reads like the following: 

“A vivid trip through the mind of the top professional wrestler in the business—a nobody from nowhere who achieved his ambitions and walked away with the gold and the girl of his dreams.

Ride alongside Jon Moxley as he retraces some of the highways traveled on his remarkable journey. Revel in the never-before-told stories about his early life in Cincinnati, Ohio; the gritty independent wrestling scene where he cut his teeth; the complicated corporate landscape of the WWE where he bucked against authority; and the rebellious upstart AEW, where he won the championship in 2020 and was finally free to achieve the vision of the wrestler he’d always wanted to be.

With plenty of pitstops and revelatory insights, including grizzly ultraviolent encounters, crazy characters who became lifelong friends, and his unforgettable matches in Japan, MOX is the riveting account of the life of a brawler. It is a tale written in blood and soaked in debauchery, with a good dose of wisdom accumulated along the way.

More than a backstage pass into the arena, MOX is a ticket into the ring. Once inside, you’ll never look at pro wrestling the same again.”

Jon Moxley vs Hiroshi Tanahashi is now official for AEW X NJPW: Forbidden Door.

After the AEW world champion CM Punk had to step away due to a foot injury, the promotion confirmed that they will be crowning an interim world champion until the Straight Edge Star returns.

The company had announced an Eliminator Tournament to determine the interim champion. The tournament started with a battle royal at Wednesday’s Dynamite.

Kyle O’Reilly won this battle royal and went on to face Jon Moxley in the main event of the show. Mox won the match and earned himself a spot at the Forbidden Door.

Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi Now Official

On NJPW’s side of things, it was announced that the winner of the Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto match at Dominion will go on challenge the AEW competitor for the title at the show.

Tanahashi won this match. Shortly after this, AEW posted the following graphic, making this dream match between the two wrestling veterans officials.

No other match has been announced for the PPV till now. More bouts are expected to be made official in next few days.

The AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door PPV will be taking place from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 2022.

• Bryan Danielson Eyeing Dream Matches For Forbidden Door PPV

Once the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite went off the air, Jon Moxley had something to say and his hype man was Eddie Kingston.

The main event of the show saw Moxley of Blackpool Combat Club take on Daniel Garcia of the Jericho Appreciation Society. Chris Jericho attempted to distract Moxley but Kingston ran out to thwart him.

Moxley ended up choking out Garcia for the win. He then took the mic and said he’s down with Kingston’s idea of a Blood & Guts match against the JAS.

After The Show

Stephanie Chase & Garrett Martin were in attendance for the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite and posted Jon Moxley’s message to the fans once the cameras stopped rolling.

All Elite Wrestling star Bryan Danielson jokes that old age caused him to fall between the ring and ramp.

Danielson worried fans when he accidentally hurt himself during a post-match altercation at AEW Rampage on May 20 with the Jericho Appreciation Society. It took several minutes for AEW staff to help free his leg from between the ring and ramp.

Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like he will be out of action.

Wrestlerant’s Graham Matthews interviewed Danielson and asked for an update about his injury.

The AEW star joked that he’s getting clumsy as he gets older.

“…I laugh at myself because it was my birthday yesterday. I just turned 41, and I’m just like, I’m just this old man who falls into these cracks, and I can’t get out,” said Danielson.

He joked that he felt like he was Steve Urkel in that moment.

“My ankle and just below my knee are a little bit swollen. You know what I mean, but it’s interesting my life I like physical things.

Bryan Danielson on freak accident

“Right so even when I’m not wrestling, I like to do jiu-jitsu or kickboxing or hiking or whatever it is you know what I mean and so I’m kind of used to things being swollen.

“I’ll be at Dynamite on Wednesday and I’ll have to get the trainer to check on it, just to make sure everything’s okay.”

Will Bryan Danielson Compete at Double or Nothing?

Danielson hasn’t shared if trainers believe he should not compete at Double or Nothing on May. 29.

That interview was done before he said he would get a check-up from trainers at AEW Dynamite on May. 25.

AEW is still advertising that Danielson will team with his faction, the Blackpool Combat Club, alongside Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz to challenge The Jericho Appreciation Society this Sunday.

The company also announced that he would face Matt Sydal on a live episode of AEW Rampage on May 27.

The AEW star revealed that he laughed about it with Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley after the incident.

“…I was laughing afterward with Eddie Kingston and Mox. This would have never happened to me at 28. I would have been very aware of my surroundings, but this old clumsy man who slips in things,” said Danielson.

Danielson seems to be in good spirits and ready to compete. Hopefully, the swelling will subside before he clashes with the Jericho Appreciation Society at Double or Nothing.

Renee Paquette really wishes her husband Jon Moxley would stop licking opponents’ blood during matches.

Paquette recently took to her podcast, “The Sessions,” and talked about her husband’s tendency to lick the blood of his opponents during their matches. This was in response to being asked what she’d like for Moxley to stop doing in the ring the most.

The former WWE broadcaster explained she doesn’t think the spot is necessary.

“Licking people’s blood. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I don’t get it. I hate it. That definitely ranks really, really high for me. Anytime he does it, I’m like, why?

“What is happening? Why are you doing this? I don’t think it’s necessary. That would be number one for me. I hate it.

“I also don’t like slap spots, like a slap to the head I could do without. I actually don’t like spots with chairs either.”

In a follow up question, Paquette was asked if she gets turned off to kiss Moxley later after a match in which he has licked an opponent’s blood. But Paquette doesn’t pay it too much attention in that regard.

“I actually don’t think about that at all. You would think I would think that, but at that point, I’m like, eh, some time has passed. I don’t really think about it. I worry more about the long term effects.

Moxley’s next big match will take place for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view (PPV).

He’ll team up with Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, and Daniel Bryan to take on The Jericho Appreciation Society (Chris Jericho, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Daniel Garcia, and Jake Hager) in a Anarchy in the Arena match.

Quotes via WrestlingNews.co

Jon Moxley is going to turn back the clock with a longtime tag team partner.

Wrestling Revolver will be having a show on July 9. The event will be held inside the Horizon Events Center in Clive, IA.

The promotion’s official Twitter account has announced that Moxley will be reunited with IMPACT Wrestling’s Sami Callihan to take on The Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards).

Moxley and Callihan are known as The Switchblades.

Jon Moxley and Sami Callihan were initially scheduled to team back in Oct. 2021 for Pro Wrestling Revolver’s Tales From The Ring show.

That plan went awry when Callihan suffered a broken ankle during an IMPACT taping.

Callihan underwent successful surgery and made his return at IMPACT Under Siege earlier this month.

Sasha Banks would love to see AEW stars Jon Moxley, Dustin Rhodes and Ruby Soho back in WWE some day.

The Legit Boss appeared on NBC Sports Boston’s Ten Count podcast to promote Friday’s SmackDown from her hometown at the DCU Center.

During her chat with host Steve Fall, Banks spoke about Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE, her history-making win at WrestleMania 38, her role on Star Wars: The Mandalorian and much more.

Sasha Banks Invites Jon Moxley Back to WWE

While discussing Cody Rhodes returning “home” to WWE, Banks said she’d like to see several other AEW stars join him. She specifically named Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley), Goldust (Dustin Rhodes) and Ruby Riot (Ruby Soho).

“It’s good to see the Rhodes’ back in WWE, you know.. Next, let’s bring back Goldust,” said Banks. “Let’s bring them all back. Dean Ambrose, you want to come? Let’s go! The more the merrier. Let’s do it!”

Banks wasn’t done name-dropping AEW talent. She’d also like to see Ruby Soho back on the WWE roster.

“I would love to see Ruby Riot back in the WWE Universe, yes,” she added. “Yes, absolutely. That’s one of them.”

It remains to be seen if Jon Moxley, Dustin Rhodes and Ruby Riot have any interest in going back to WWE. However, it’s interesting to see Sasha Banks at least extend the invite.

Check out Sasha Banks’ interview with Steve Fall of NBC Sports Boston:

Chris Jericho recalled the time he initially wanted to start a faction with Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley.

Jericho used to be the leader of the Inner Circle before he and Jake Hager turned on Santana and Ortiz. He now runs the “Jericho Appreciation Society” where the emphasis is on sports entertainment. He is joined by Hager, Daniel Garcia, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, and “Cool Hand Ang” Angelo Parker.

Chris Jericho Initially Wanted Faction With Kingston & Moxley

Chris Jericho appeared on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio and revealed that he once had an idea to start a faction with Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley (via Fightful).

“I’d love to be able to tell you that I had this big overarching plan that was put into place in November when we started doing this thing with Eddie Kingston and I. It wasn’t. It was just reading the room and evolving.

“My original idea was for maybe, Eddie, and (Jon) Moxley to be an alliance as babyfaces. I never really thought about turning heel. I always had this real romantic idea of never breaking up the Inner Circle and having us be together until the end. Once we started rolling and moving, I realized there was a lot we could do with it.

“When we were in Bridgeport, Connecticut, we had a promo and Eddie came out there and was like, ‘I don’t know why I’m out here. This is pro wrestling, not sports entertainment, if you want that, go down the block.’ People just responded with a huge half cheer, half boo disdain for ‘sports entertainment.’ I was like, ‘Oh, oh, our fanbase doesn’t like that term. Interesting.’

“Then the wheels go into motion and you start thinking of ‘maybe we can do something like this.’ The sports entertainment thing came from listening to the fans and realizing, ‘they don’t like this, I do. I’m a sports entertainer at heart. Let’s talk about it and make it a thing on screen,’ and that’s what we did.”

Jericho’s current group is in a feud with Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz. Sammy Guevara was able to avoid being caught in the crossfire of the Inner Circle split as he left the group before it imploded.

Jon Moxley Appears At NJPW Lonestar Shootout

Earlier today, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Jon Moxley made a surprise appearance at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) Lonestar Shootout event. Moxley hit the ring shortly after Minoru Suzuki’s win over Killer Kross. Getting on the mic, Moxley touched on the fact that, despite dealing with some hamstring and concussion issues, he won’t miss the chance to step into a NJPW ring against Will Ospreay.

Moxley will face off against Ospreay at NJPW Windy City Riot in Chicago, Illinois on April 16, 2022. The former AEW World Champion vowed not to let pride get in his way of teaching Ospreay a lesson. Check out his promo below.

Charlotte Flair & Andrade Set To Be Married

WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair has announced that she and AEW star Andrade are set to be married this summer. Flair broke the news during an interview with BT Sport’s Ariel Helwani. She noted that the wedding will take place in Mexico, and the couple have already bought a dress and set the date. When asked whether or not she would be taking time off for the occasion, Flair was noncommittal in her answer.

“Who knows? You’re acting like I’m gonna lose the title at WrestleMania [laughs],” said Flair (via WrestleZone). ” I think [he] would be a little angry with me if I walked down my aisle with my title.”

Flair will defend her SmackDown Live Women’s Championship tomorrow night at Night One of WrestleMania 38 against Ronda Rousey in Dallas, Texas. It is expected to serve as the main event of the evening.

Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson have history with one another, even before they were part of All Elite Wrestling. They competed with each other in the WWE and even before then.

With this shared history between them, Bryan Danielson wanted to team up Jon Moxley, so that they could mentor the young talents of AEW and shape them under their wing. Moxley was reluctant, saying that he and Danielson will have to bleed together before they can be partners. The both did just that at AEW Revolution, which Moxley came out winning. They both kept brawling even after the match until William Regal arrived and convinced them to be partners.

On this week’s Dynamite, Danielson and Moxley arrived as a tag team with Regal managing them. They dominated Varsity Blonds who they had a match against, and after the match, Moxley told Regal that he only cares about Lord William Regal’s opinion. According to him, getting Regal’s approval is a badge of honor that he will wear with pride. He made it clear to the locker room that they are “the three most sadistic bastards in the business” and they will go through anyone who gets in their way.

Moxley then revealed the name of their group, the Blackpool Combat Club.

“Blackpool” in the group’s name is a reference to where William Regal is billed from — the town of Blackpool in Lancashire, England.

William Regal made his debut at Revolution, and he has had a long history with Bryan Danielson. The two shared the ring for the final time on a WWE Superstars episode in November 2011. Regal recalled his emotional last match with Danielson in an interview, saying:

“I tore me meniscus in my right leg. The next night I’m on with Bryan. They were going ‘no you can’t wrestle, you can’t wrestle.’ I said ‘no I want to put him over because he is the person who has stuck around me and listened to all my nonsense for the last [so many years] and comment and called me and sent me stuff. And I’ve sent him to places and put good words in for him and whatever else. If there is one person I wanna to have my last match with its him.’ So if you watch that match, you will see me walk down to the ring and then they actually played a rib on me. [They] played my old Man’s man music halfway down the ramp. I’m glad because they had to help me in the building that day. I couldn’t walk. I don’t like giving away this you know, that old fashioned things. But If you watch that match it’s 17 minutes of him carrying me because I can’t walk. He did a masterful job. He actually even wrestled and did stuff on my leg without bending it.”

Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay are set to face off for the first time ever under the NJPW banner. 

Ospreay has been calling out Moxley, who responded today in a promo posted by NJPW. Moxley challenged Ospreay to face him at NJPW Windy City Riot on Saturday, April 16.

Moxley warned him in the promo that Ospreay’s words have consequences and while he may never have seen a wrestler more talented than Ospreay, it might be time for Moxley to beat some humility into him.

Ospreay first called out Moxley at a Revolution Pro Wrestling event last month and then again backstage on the New Japan Cup tour recently. 

Windy City Riot will air live on Fite TV as a pay-per-view from the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois. No matches have been officially confirmed for the show, but the following names are advertised to appear:

• Jon Moxley
• Minoru Suzuki
• Will Ospreay
• Jay White
• Tomohiro Ishii
• Tom Lawlor
• Jeff Cobb
• Juice Robinson
• David Finlay
• Yuji Nagata
• Fred Rosser
• JONAH
• Brody King
• Karl Fredericks
• Clark Connors
• Hikuleo
• Rocky Romero
• Doc Gallows
• Karl Anderson
• The Great-O-Khan

AEW President Tony Khan recently revealed that Jon Moxley was integral to getting Bryan Danielson to sign with All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking to Jim Varsallone ahead of AEW Revolution tonight, Khan revealed how the former WWE Superstar was a big part in getting the American Dragon to join the promotion.

“I don’t know if people know, Jon Moxley is a big reason why Bryan Danielson came to AEW in the first place” Khan revealed.

“He really vouched for this place, he gave his word to Bryan that this is a great place to work. And that helped connect me to Bryan Danielson, that Mox gave him that reference, you know,” Tony Khan continued. “That I am a good person to work for and that this is a good company to come to.”

Khan also discussed why it was so important to AEW to get someone the caliber of Danielson to join the company.

“Bryan Danielson is one of the biggest wrestlers in the world,” Khan stated. “One of the most recognizable, successful, famous wrestlers on the planet, and when he came to AEW, it was a huge get for us.

“Their story goes back a long time, they know each other very well. I think they are going to have an amazing match” Khan concluded, discussing the match between the two at Revolution tonight.

Here are the matches that are confirmed for the card:

Main Card

• AEW World Championship: “Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. Adam Cole
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker, DMD (c) vs. Thunder Rosa
• Dog Collar Match: CM Punk vs. MJF
• Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson
• Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston
• AEW Tag Team Championship: Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus) (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs. reDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish)
• Face of the Revolution Ladder Match (Winner Receives TNT Championship Match): Keith Lee vs. Wardlow vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ricky Starks vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Christian Cage
• Sting, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara vs. Andrade El Idolo, Matt Hardy and Isiah Kassidy
• TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Tay Conti

Buy-In Show

• HOOK vs. QT Marshall
• Kris Statlander vs. Leyla Hirsch
• House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King and Buddy Matthews) vs. Death Triangle (Pac and Penta Oscuro) and Erick Redbeard

Samoa Joe enjoys his options as he remains a free agent.

“The Samoan Submission Machine” wants to return to professional wrestling after WWE released him on Jan. 6. During his last tenure with the company, Joe competed in NXT before rebranding into NXT 2.0. He relinquished the NXT Championship, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Since Joe couldn’t compete and was taken off NXT TV, he worked as a trainer at the Performance Center. It’s unclear why the WWE released Joe, but he shared that he was grateful for his time with the company.

Wrestling fans wonder which promotion will be lucky enough to add Samoa Joe to its roster. In an interview with Busted Open on Sirus XM, Samoa Joe commented on the potential of signing with All Elite Wrestling or returning to WWE.

“…I’m open to whatever opportunity. Obviously, at this point, I’m blessed enough that I get to make decisions, and I get to work on some things outside of wrestling. Which is a rarity when you are this far in and committed to the business, said Joe.

He continued, “…I got my team working on stuff, and when they eventually connect, we’ll see if something works out.”

What’s Next for Samoa Joe?

Joe will be under the WWE 90 non-compete clause until Apr. 6. However, he keeps himself busy with projects outside of wrestling and being with his family.

“We’re training. We’re ready. Honestly, I’m not on paper with anybody anywhere. We haven’t signed anything. We’re just kind of exploring our options, and I’m taking little time personally just to be with the family and shore up some things home side, and we’ll see what the coming months hold,” said Joe.

He did share during the interview that he’d like to wrestle against Powerhouse Hobbs and Jon Moxley if Joe were to sign with AEW.

Samoa Joe is also working as a voice actor for the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League video game. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was scheduled to be released this year, but the developers have pushed it back to next year. It’s unclear if he has to do additional voice acting for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

AEW or WWE hasn’t publically expressed interest in signing the free agent. Although it doesn’t seem like Joe is rushing to sign with anyone.

Bryan Danielson was a guest recently on Throwing Down with Renee Paquette and Meisha Tate. Paquette just so happens to be the spouse of Jon Moxley, who Danielson has asked to team with him in AEW. Right off the bat, Paquette asked Danielson why he wanted to team with her husband so badly.

“Because these kids today… these kids need to learn how to properly wrestle,” Danielson responded to Paquette.

“Look, AEW is great, it’s not perfect in the way that I would like it to be and I’m sure in the way that Jon would like it to be. There’s a little bit too much fooling around.”

“Jon and I, we don’t wrestle the same stye but we wrestle with the same sort of seriousness. That’s what I think we bring to the table and teaching that to the younger generation.”

Danielson then continued to talk about some of the younger wrestlers in AEW. He specifically mentioned TNT Champion, Sammy Guevara.

“He has this vlog, which I didn’t even understand what a vlog was, it sounds like something to do with poop. He started trying to get me on his vlog…”

“He focuses so much on his vlog and so much on all this other stuff as opposed to just focusing on beating the crap out of somebody, which me and your husband do quite well.”

“Jon Moxley is more of like a brutalist style of violence where I’m more like the poet laureate of violence,” Danielson continued.

You can listen to Bryan Danielson’s appearance on Throwing Down here:

If you use any of the above transcriptions please credit Throwing Down with a H/T to SEScoops for the transcriptions.

Jon Moxley has announced the date that he will make his long awaited return to New Japan Pro Wrestling.

The former IWGP U.S. Champion is scheduled to be part of the NJPW event in suburban Chicago, Illinois on April 16th. Moxley filmed a promo video for the promotion where it was announced he will be making his return. Tickets for that event go on sale Friday.

“When I think of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, I think of concussions. I think of swollen red chests. I think bruises and swelling,” Moxley said. “I think of sweat flying. I think of individuals digging down deep into their souls to prove who’s the best on that blue mat. The men who call themselves the best in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Shingo, Okada, and Tanahashi.”

He continued, “One thing has not changed. I am the boogeyman in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and nobody can call themselves the best as long as I am lurking in the shadows. So I will be in Chicago on April 16. New Japan Pro-Wrestling, like you always do, bring your best.”

Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Yuji Nagata, Tomohiro Ishii, Jay White, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Tom Lawlor, Jonah, Fred Rosser, and Brody King have also been announced for the event.

• Roman Reigns on Jon Moxley: ‘I Don’t Think He Owes Anyone An Apology’

Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson to Team In AEW?

This past Wednesday’s edition of AEW Dynamite saw Moxley wrestle Wheeler Yuta in the opening match of the broadcast. Moxley had originally been scheduled to face Brian Kendrick, but that match was changed after some anti-semitic statements that Kendrick made in the past came to light.

After his victory over Yuta, Bryan Danielson made an appearance in the ring with Moxley. The pair had been scheduled to face each other at Full Gear last November until Moxley entered rehab for alcohol addiction and appear to be picking up where they left off.

Danielson proposed an alliance with Moxley, with the idea sounding as if the pair would train up and coming stars who aren’t taking wrestling seriously enough. Moxley thought about the offer in the ring and Danielson told him he could answer his offer at a later date.

And don’t forget to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.

Charles Barkley dedicated a portion of his podcast recently to send a message to AEW’s Jon Moxley. Barkley said he’s proud of the former AEW World Champion for seeking out treatment for his issues with alcohol.

“I know you all don’t know this guy, his name is Jon Moxley. You guys know I’m a big wrestling fan,” Barkley said on the show.

“So Jon Moxley, he’s one of the biggest stars for AEW. He left three months ago for alcohol treatment. You know I had a younger brother who passed away so I know a lot about addiction, and he just came back this week and I just want him to know, we never met, I just want to say, man, I’m really proud of him.”

Barkley continued, “I wish him nothing but the best. I’ve been through it with my family and, man, it’s a tough situation. But I just want him to know that I’m really proud of him and just keep battling. It’s all you can do. So, shoutout to those guys.”

You can listen to Charles Barkley’s comments about Jon Moxley here:

Jon Moxley entered an inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program in November 2021.

He returned last week on AEW Dynamite and then defeated Ethan Page later that night in a match taped for Rampage.

Moxley would also defend his GCW World title on Sunday at the WRLD on GCW PPV in the Hammerstein Ballroom against Homicide.

A match featuring Moxley taking on the Acclaimed’s Anthony Bowens was also taped for Rampage Wednesday night from Cleveland.

Former WWE Tag Team Champion Bully Ray made headlines last week when he commented on Jon Moxley’s return to AEW Dynamite. Bully Ray said that he wished that Moxley had apologized to the fans for the time that he missed from the ring while attending rehab for his struggles with alcohol.

Bully Ray was largely panned for these comments by wrestlers, fans, and pundits alike. During an interview with SI Media Podcast, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns commented on the situation.

“I didn’t actually see the take from Bubba, but I’ve seen some of the responses to it,” Reigns said (h/t Wrestling Inc). “And I look at it kind of in both perspectives. I understand what Bubba is saying only because I’ve been in these systems and worked for, you know, a billion-dollar promotion and entertainment company, being WWE. And Bubba has too and these are some of the mindsets of kind of the direction that you can handle some of these situations because, at the end of the day, we are performers. We’re entertainers and we want to be there for our fanbase.

“I mean, we continued through a pandemic, you know what I mean? Obviously, it’s a business and you know, we’re all trying to make a living. But that’s what makes our product special. For pretty much any promotion, there’s no season it, you know? So we try to give our fanbase as much as we can.”

However, Reigns went on to defend his former Shield partner.

“So I can see where he’s [Bully] coming from, but I think in this day and age, there’s not like too much kayfabe,” Reigns said. “I might be one of the most kayfabe performers out there. There’s so many cracks to see through, the blinds to see into backstage now and there’s so many people getting rumors and info and breaking this news and stuff like that. But I think in this day and age, especially with, you know, how much awareness there is for mental health and taking care of yourself and prioritizing you.”

He continued, “I don’t think he owes anyone an apology. I think the fact that he was responsible enough to do what needed to be done and also not shy away from it to help other people. You rarely talk about those people that are just, 100% inspired and motivated by what Mox did and having that brutal honesty with themselves and everyone else for the matter.

• Renee Paquette Responds to Bully Ray Comments About Jon Moxley

“I don’t think he owes anyone an apology, I see where Bubba could be coming from, in a very corporate mindset of, you know prioritizing our fans. But at the end of the day, we do so much for these fans. We don’t deliver the mail, it don’t feel good to do what we do. And obviously, it’s a choice, but it’s not like they’re just giving their money to us and we’re not doing anything. It’s a service and we’re performing that service.”

Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.