Fans of New Japan Pro Wrestling got a taste of ‘The Death Rider’ Jon Moxley throughout 2019, with him picking up the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship from Juice Robinson and competing in the prestigious G1 Climax.
With him signing a deal with All Elite Wrestling, fans were worried Wrestle Kingdom would be the last time we would see Jon Moxley in New Japan Pro Wrestling; but fear no longer. During an interview with Chris Van Vilet, Moxley said he’ll be working there as long as he keeps wrestling. He has stated he loves working in Japan, he loves the passion from the fans and judging from reactions, they love his erractic and hard hitting style.
Jon Moxley and His Incredible 2019
After leaving WWE following his contract expiring just after Wrestemania, he exploded back onto the indies before signing deals with NJPW and AEW. In AEW, he achieved his initial goal of killing the aura of Kenny Omega at Full Gear, and now is calling out anyone crazy enough to fight him. Darby Allin answered the call first, and met defeat. Joey Janela will try next.
In NJPW, as previously mentioned he won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship from Juice Robinson, a belt which he wouldn’t be able to make any defenses on due to winning before the G1 Climax which took up his time, then a typhoon hit Japan before King of Pro Wrestling, where he was scheduled to defend against Juice who earned a rematch by beating Moxley in the G1. The belt was vacated, and won by Lance Archer at the event.
In the G1, Moxley had some of the best matches of his career against the likes of Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi, and Tetsuya Naito. Fans will be eager to see him enter again, and maybe be in the same block as Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi this time.
Moxley & Shooter
There is also the situation with his adopted Young Lion, Shota Umino. He faced Shota at Dominion, drug him backstage and took him under his wing during his time in the company. Shota is now on excursion in the UK as ‘Shooter Umino’, a name that Moxley bestowed upon him in backstage interviews. Their friendship will return when they meet again, and maybe student will beat teacher.
Moxley staying devoted to NJPW is amazing news, and I look forward to see what he will be doing at their annual Wrestle Kingdom event. He will likely face the current IWGP United States champion, Lance Archer, in an attempt to regain the belt he never lost.
