3 Directions for Jon Moxley following his latest AEW setback

Former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley [Image Credits: @ringofhonor on X]
Former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley [Image Credits: @ringofhonor on X]

It has been a rough few months for Jon Moxley in AEW, ever since he lost his World Championship earlier this year. The popularly dubbed "Ace" of All Elite Wrestling has faced several high-profile losses lately, including submitting to Darby Allin at WrestleDream 2025, tapping out to Kyle O'Reilly in this year's Men's Blood and Guts match, and then submitting to The Violent Artist again at Full Gear.

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In the aftermath of the pay-per-view, Moxley and his teammates Claudio Castagnoli and Pac entered the 2025 Continental Classic. Both Moxley and Castagnoli kicked off their campaigns successfully with wins over Mascara Dorada and Orange Cassidy. This Wednesday on Dynamite, however, The One True King was defeated by his Emissary of Violence in a Blue League bout. Furthermore, on the latest episode of AEW Collision, Moxley lost his subsequent C2 match against Konosuke Takeshita.

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It looks like Jon Moxley is unable to get any momentum going as a singles competitor at present. As such, let us consider three directions his current character arc can take.


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#1. Jon Moxley barely defeated former AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy

Although they had shared the ring before, Jon Moxley's first real feud with Orange Cassidy began in 2023, leading to The Purveyor of Violence defeating the Freshly Squeezed star for his International Championship at that year's All Out pay-per-view. Cassidy later regained the title and successfully defended it against Mox at Full Gear 2023.

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OC found himself under Moxley's crosshairs again last year after he and the Death Riders brutalized his close friend and former teammate, Chuck Taylor. The fan-favorite challenged Mox for his AEW World Title at Full Gear 2024 but was unsuccessful at the event. He battled the champion again in a four-way bout at Worlds End 2024, also involving Hangman Page and Jay White, but once again failed to capture the belt.

Cassidy rekindled his rivalry with Moxley some time earlier and joined his Conglomeration stablemates, Mark Briscoe and Kyle O'Reilly, along with Roderick Strong and Darby Allin, to defeat the Death Riders in the 2025 Blood and Guts match. As a participant in the Blue League of this year's Continental Classic, he lost his first bout to Claudio Castagnoli but earned his first 3 points against Roddy Strong this Saturday.

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Orange Cassidy fighting Jon Moxley at Full Gear 2024 [Source: AEW on YouTube]
Orange Cassidy fighting Jon Moxley at Full Gear 2024 [Source: AEW on YouTube]

If Cassidy faces Jon Moxley next, the latter, in his desperation to win, might dig deep and resort to his usual hard-hitting and violent style and tactics; perhaps he could even resort to underhanded measures to put OC away.

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#2. Jon Moxley was eliminated from C2 after losing to Roderick Strong

Jon Moxley revived his rivalry with Roderick Strong for the first time since 2010 earlier in September. This happened when The Messiah of The Backbreaker and his partner, Kyle O'Reilly, took issue with Daniel Garcia for joining the Death Riders despite his recent alliance with The Paragon. At AEW Dynamite: September to Remember, the former Lunatic Fringe took on and defeated the former Undisputed Kingdom member in their first singles match in over a decade.

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Later in November, Strong faced Mox once again in a match that would decide whether his alliance with the Conglomeration or the Death Riders would have the advantage in the 2025 Men's Blood and Guts bout. Roddy won the encounter via count-out, thanks to a huge assist from Darby Allin. The former International Champion entered this year's Continental Classic, replacing Kyle O'Reilly, and has voiced his eagerness to show out as a singles performer in the tournament.

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Roderick Strong wrestling Jon Moxley on AEW Collision [Source: AEW on YouTube]
Roderick Strong wrestling Jon Moxley on AEW Collision [Source: AEW on YouTube]

Having lost both of his first two C2 bouts, against Konosuke Takeshita and Orange Cassidy, Strong will be highly motivated to defeat Jon Moxley whenever they lock horns in the tourney. The Death Riders interfered several times during Roddy's previous matches against Moxley. Since the stable will be banned from ringside according to Continental Classic rules, Moxley might feel overwhelmed and ultimately be overcome by Strong, leading to his elimination from the tournament.

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#3. Jon Moxley and the Death Riders could turn face against The Don Callis Family

Jon Moxley first crossed paths with the current iteration of the Don Callis Family during the buildup to Dynamite: Blood and Guts, when the heel manager approached the Death Riders with the request to hurt Mark Briscoe in the brutal Steel Cage match before his Full Gear TNT Title bout against Kyle Fletcher. Despite their history, the original Death Rider made it clear to The Invisible Hand that he and his team needed no favors from him.

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After his loss to Claudio Castagnoli this week on AEW Dynamite, Moxley, along with his teammates, cut a promo addressing the Don Callis Family, contrasting the faction's members and their motivations with those of his own group. Last Friday at ROH Final Battle, where he was doing commentary, Moxley again targeted the villainous mega stable - unfortunately, its member, Konosuke Takeshita, successfully defeated the Cincinnati native this Saturday on AEW Collision in their Continental Classic block match.

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It seems like the Death Riders could be on a collision course with The Don Callis Family. If the latter faction ends up costing Mox and/or his teammates the opportunity to win the C2, the two sides might feud after the tournament ends, likely leading to Moxley and his allies turning babyface.

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Edited by Neda Ali
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