Jon Moxley has always been a divisive figure, whether in WWE or AEW. Currently, many fans are unhappy with his push and his faction, the Death Riders. Even before leaving WWE and joining AEW, the former SHIELD member was already facing criticism. While fans once admired his hardcore wrestling style, his recent matches have failed to meet expectations. On the latest episode of AEW Dynamite, he crossed a line that left many viewers uncomfortable.
The March 19 episode of AEW Dynamite, which took place during a blizzard in Omaha, featured a brutal Street Fight. Jon Moxley defended his AEW World Championship against Cope in one of the most intense matches in recent memory. The match began with Copeland attacking Moxley during his entrance, reigniting their fierce rivalry from the Revolution event. This set the tone for a chaotic and violent showdown.
The Street Fight between Cope and Moxley was initially entertaining but quickly spiraled out of control. At one point, Cope suplexed Moxley with a spiked bat, driving the nails into Moxley’s back. The camera zoomed in on the gruesome injury, shocking the audience. Despite the blizzard conditions and the brutal spot with the spiked bat, Moxley managed to retain his title. However, this extreme moment left many fans feeling uneasy and dissatisfied.
The match also saw several AEW stars getting involved, adding to the chaos. Nick Wayne, Claudio Castagnoli, FTR, Marina Shafir, Willow Nightingale, and Kip Sabian all played a part in the action. While the involvement of these wrestlers added excitement, the overall match left fans divided. Many felt the violence went too far, overshadowing the storytelling and athleticism that fans typically expect from AEW.
Jon Moxley vs. Cope II resembled the way WWE booked Roman vs. Cody II
AEW recently showcased a major match on Dynamite between Jon Moxley and Cope, drawing comparisons to WWE’s Roman Reigns storyline. This match mirrored the high-stakes drama of WrestleMania 40, where Roman Reigns faced Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Roman’s historic title reign came to an end in that bout, marking a significant moment in wrestling history.
The match was chaotic, with several big names trying to influence the outcome. The Rock, The Usos, Seth Rollins, John Cena, The Undertaker, and Solo Sikoa all got involved in the final moments. Despite the interference, Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare, emerged victorious, finally completing his long-running storyline.
With his win, Moxley now focuses on AEW Dynasty, where he will defend his championship against Swerve Strickland. Strickland earned his title shot by defeating Ricochet in a No. 1 Contender’s match at Revolution. Meanwhile, Cope’s future is unclear after his loss. Tensions rose with FTR as Dax Harwood refused to help him up and even shoved his own partner, suggesting a potential new storyline for the Rated-R Superstar.
