Posts Tagged ‘Lee Moriarty’

ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty on Showcasing His First Art Exhibit & AEW Evolution

Two years ago Lee Moriarty set a goal to have his own art exhibition. The dream becomes a reality as the Ring of Honor Pure Champion prepares to have his first public showcase during Miami Art Week. Moriarty, 30, will be at the NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) booth, part of the wrestling publication Orange Crush’s presentation 

For the emerging talent, art was a way to express himself out of the ring. His parents encouraged him to continue pursuing a creative outlet. He’d draw off Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon cards, as well as Dragon Ball Z VHS tapes and issues of Game Informer Magazine. Although he took graphic design at the community college, Moriarty was largely self-taught. 

“I’ve been an artist longer than I was a wrestler,” Moriarty said. “One of my goals was to have an art exhibition. I didn’t have in mind what this series was going to be at first. The more I painted, it became about professional wrestling life outside the ring. A lot of people associate professional wrestling with just violence and combat. People don’t realize the serene peaceful life a lot of us live, especially me. 

“I’m a person who is closed in and keeps calm and relaxed. I like walking my dog, going out in the nature world, painting, and playing tennis, which is one of the paintings. This was a big opportunity that came to me by Adam Abdulla to have the exhibition at NADA. From December 3 through the 7th, my art will be on display for the first time. Nobody has ever seen my art outside of photos and things. To see this in person, I’m excited about it.” 

Moriarty has combined two of his passions through the exhibition. A collection that presents an endearing and vibrant display of wrestlers in repose. The paintings are a tribute to the sport he loves, capturing the duality of wrestling. 

“Originally when I was painting luchadors, one of my favorite aesthetics is luchadors with suits and tuxedos,” Moriarty said. “Back in the day El Santo, Blue Demon, all these guys would have really nice suits combined with the masks, which I think is so unique when it comes to professional wrestling that you won’t see anywhere else. 

“I wanted to capture that with my artwork. I wanted to paint beyond just luchadors in suits. Then it became walking the dog, grilling and barbecuing, and things like that and I decided to keep the Lucha Libre wrestlers in the mask aesthetic. That is the universal imagery when it comes to professional wrestling, even if you don’t watch professional wrestling. You see a mask, and you know this guy is a pro wrestler.” 

Moriarty works hard to fit art into his busy schedule as a traveling entertainer. When the traveler flies somewhere or in hotel rooms before a show, he’d get out his tablet and draw and brainstorm. The star would then put those ideas on canvas. 

“I also use my tablet for graphic design,” Moriarty said. “I’ve designed all of my shirts. I’ve designed the logo you’ll see on my trunks sometimes. The tiger was a design I had before I debuted for AEW or Ring of Honor. I’m always drawing and painting. I have a camera. I’ve done photography. I like making my own scenes. I just like expressing myself creatively and building this world outside of my head.” 

Moriarty appreciates the support he felt from the locker room and company. “[AEW] is very supportive of outside ventures that help the person grow as individuals and as brands. I’ve had nothing but support from the first day I posted a painting. Among those colleagues is stablemate Shane Taylor, who he’d watch on his first or second independent show. Taylor’s opponent just happened to be a future trainer in Brandon K. “I knew who [Shane] was and his story and work ethic and have a lot of respect for him,” he said. 

The exciting athlete is proud of the progress he made over the past three years. Moriarty feels he got more comfortable with promos and in the ring on television. He has also put on some muscle weight, going from 175 to approaching 200. The student of the game is always looking to grow and improve.

“There was a period I was learning from Jon Moxley for a while,” he said. “There was a period I was learning from Claudio when we were donig the Texas shows. For three straight weeks, I was getting advice from him. Orange Cassidy is someone I would go to a lot. Serpentico, Jon Cruz, those guys I learned from a lot. So many people. 

“I trained at Malakai Black’s school for a point. I’m very grateful and can’t express how much it meant. Even when Nigel McGuinness came back to the ring, I was in the ring training with him. I can’t express the appreciation I have that these guys are giving me the time to learn from them.”  

Moriarty welcomes the latest signings in AEW with The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin arriving on the scene. Three who he sees as an example of how to build a career. 

“I think they are three of the most valuable talents in the world,” he said. “They have the total package. The presentation, athleticism confidence. They inspire me to do what I’m doing in professional wrestling and my art. It’s to not settle and not just be comfortable in the spot I’m in but continue to grow as a business and brand.” 

Much like pro wrestling, he has hopes for his artistic aspirations. Moriarty looks to step into more product designs from bottles to shoes. “I know AEW believes in me and hopes to help AEW expand with my art talents, I don’t have an end game when it comes to my art. It has been wherever it takes me ….I’m going to keep going and see how far I can get.” 
For more information or two purchase tickets for NADA Miami 2024, visit https://nada.artsvp.com/73ace8?link=website.

Two AEW Stars Get Into Heated Altercation With Fan During Rampage Taping

It seems two AEW stars were none too pleased with a fan during a recent taping.

There have been plenty of incidents involving performers and fans in the wrestling industry for many years. Some fans have overstepped their boundaries and even attacked wrestlers.

It appears another ugly incident took place during the taping for Rampage but not much is known at this time.

Lee Moriarty & Stokely Hathaway Take Issue With Fan

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio is reporting that there was some sort of altercation involving Lee Moriarty, Stokely Hathaway, and a fan. The report noted that this was more than simply two heels jousting with a member of the audience.

Details are scarce at this time but Meltzer doesn’t expect the incident to air when Rampage hits TNT this Friday night.

As of late, we’ve seen Moriarty turn to more underhanded tactics on AEW TV. He has aligned himself with Hathaway, who will serve as his manager.

Moriarty will take on Matt Sydal on this week’s edition of Rampage.

AEW Star Rules Out Joining Blackpool Combat Club for Now

Don’t expect this particular AEW star to join the Blackpool Combat Club until the stars perfectly align.

AEW certainly isn’t short on factions. The company has the likes of House of Black, Death Triangle, the Jericho Appreciation Society, The Elite, and of course Blackpool Combat Club.

Some fans have been calling for Lee Moriarty to join Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and William Regal in the BCC.

For Moriarty, he’s in no rush.

Lee Moriarity Explains Not Focusing on Joining BCC

The Blackpool Combat Club is a red hot group in AEW. Since joining the stable, Wheeler Yuta has seen his stock increase drastically.

Many feel such a move could do the same for Lee Moriarty. MuscleMan Malcolm asked Lee about the possibility of joining BCC and his answer may surprise you.

“The way I look at the AEW groups is, I’m going to do what’s best for my career. I understand everybody wants me to join the Blackpool Combat Club ever since Danielson said my name, and I get that my style of wrestling would fit well with them. But I like the idea of growing by fighting them.

You can’t get better if you are only teaming with these people, you can only get to a certain place if you’re not fighting the best, in my opinion, there’s only so far we can go.

Lee Moriarty on not joining BCC at the moment

“[Wheeler] Yuta is a great example. He fought those guys repeatedly. He fought Jon Moxley 3 times, I think, before joining the group, and you saw how he progressed before getting there. I’ve only had the chance to step into the ring with Danielson twice. Moxley, once. Yuta, once in AEW. There’s a lot more room for me to grow before joining them — but that’s not my priority. My priority is getting better on my own.”

Moriarty recently fell short in his bid for the ROH World Championship. He was defeated by current titleholder Jonathan Gresham on a Fyter Fest edition of AEW Rampage.

Quotes via Fightful.

Lee Moriarty Speaks Out After Infant Nephew Passes Away

AEW’s Lee Moriarty has suffered a horrible family tragedy.

Sadly, his infant nephew passed away on Sunday. Moriarty took to social media to release a statement. Moriarty posted a statement on his Twitter which relieved the tragedy. 

Moriarty said: 

“My nephew was 1 years old and his life was taken in a drive-by yesterday. I don’t share things from my personal life often but he deserves to be acknowledged for the great person he was growing to become. Miss you.

I’m muting this and I’d prefer no messages. Thank you.”

Throughout the United States, gun violence continues to be a persistent and continuous problem. 

Following the murders of several children and teachers at a school in Uvalde, Texas, many performers across the wrestling landscape spoke out against gun violence.

SEScoops sends our deepest condolences to Lee and his family. 

https://twitter.com/theleemoriarty/status/1531389952675782656

CM Punk Match Announced For AEW Dynamite

AEW has announced another big match for Wednesday’s edition of Dynamite from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.

CM Punk will be back in action against young up-and-comer Lee Moriarty.

After their promo battle last week, Maxwell Jacob Friedman will likely be watching this match closely.

CM Punk is excited at the prospect of mixing it up with Moriarty.

CM Punk vs Lee Moriarty

This will be Punk’s 8th match in AEW. He’s defeated Darby Allin, Powerhouse Hobbs, Daniel Garcia, Matt Sydal, Bobby Fish, Eddie Kingston, and QT Marshall.

As for Lee Moriarty, he’s 1-4 in singles matches in AEW. He’s defeated Nick Comoroto but lost to Bobby Fish, Daniel Garcia, Joey Janela, and Dante Martin.

AEW Dynamite Preview (12/1/21)

4 other matches have been confirmed for this week’s Dynamite.:

  • The TBS Title Tournament will continue with the final quarter-final match. Ruby Soho will face Kris Statlander with the winner moving on to face Jade Cargill in the semi-finals.
  • Bryan Danielson defeated Colt Cabana in front of Cabana’s hometown in Chicago last week. This week he will attempt to do the same thing to another member of the Dark Order. Alan “5” Angels, who is from the Atlanta area, will step up to the plate to face the American Dragon. AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page will likely be in attendance and have his eye on what happens here.

After Andrade El Idolo, Malakai Black and FTR defeated Cody Rhodes & Death Triangle in the main event last week, Andrade and Rhodes will face off in an Atlanta street fight this week. This was set up after Dynamite went off the air last week when Andrade gave Rhodes a DDT on the floor outside the ring. Considering this show is in Rhodes’ hometown, it should be interesting to see what fan reaction he gets. He might even toss his weight belt into the crowd again.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1465556194781802500
  • Darby Allin & Sting will continue their rivalry with the Gunn Club this week. This started on Rampage a couple of weeks ago when Darby Allin defeated Billy Gunn in singles competition. After the match, the Gunn Club attacked both him and Sting. On Dynamite last week, Allin was able to attack Austin Gunn on the ramp but Billy & Colten bailed before him and Sting could get their hands on them. This week, it will be Sting and Darby Allin against Billy & Colten Gunn in tag-team action.

AEW Officially Signs Lee Moriarty and Amanda Huber

AEW has officially given a full-time contract to Lee Moriarty. This follows his match against Bobby Fish last night on the AEW Rampage Buy-In show. He is winless so far in 5 matches in the promotion.

The Pittsburgh native has lost singles matches to Dante Martin, Joey Janela, Daniel Garcia and Bobby Fish. He also teamed with LSG and lost to FTR. He was given a contract offer last month after his match against Garcia, and it appears he has come to terms with the promotion now.

AEW has also signed Amanda Huber as a member of the promotion’s Community Outreach Team. Huber also appeared on AEW programming in Rochester as part of the angle with the Dark Order settling their differences. Huber’s son, Brodie Lee Jr. (aka -1) will join the AEW roster when he is old enough to do so. Amanda has said in the past that -1 is only able to appear on AEW programming when he is keeping his grades above a certain level.

It has been almost 10 months since the wrestling world lost Jon Huber, aka Brodie Lee. He tragically passed away on December 26th, 2020. Amanda and -1 combined to bring the Dark Order back together on the show from Rochester, which was Brodie Sr.’s hometown.