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IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley discusses working with NJPW while being a top star in AEW.
AEW’s Jon Moxley won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Windy City Riot. He has been a key part of AEW’s working relationship with NJPW since the companies started collaborating.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Jon Moxley confirmed that he signed with NJPW before he joined AEW in 2019.
“That’s true, I signed a contract with New Japan before I signed one with AEW,” Jon Moxley said. “Japan is the first direction my compass was pointed. New Japan is all about the action in the ring. There’s pageantry and big characters, but it’s all about the action in the ring, which is so high level. It always spoke to me.
“There was an icy relationship back then between AEW and New Japan. I was completely neutral. For a moment, it seemed like I was going to have to pick one or the other, but I said, f— that, I’m going to do both. And now the two sides have this wonderful working relationship. I hope I helped play a role in facilitating that.”
Jon Moxley Says He Has A Handshake Deal
Jon Moxley went on to describe how wrestling in Japan has allowed him to learn and grow. He stated that it has been a mutually beneficial relationship. Moxley also said that he was still on a handshake deal with NJPW.
“When I first came to Japan, I wanted to understand it and participate in it,” Jon Moxley said. “That allowed me to learn and grow. I didn’t come in and say, ‘This is what I do and this is what we’re doing.’ Everyone I wrestled, I learned from. I’ve really been able to grow a lot working with New Japan. It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship. They get me, and I get them.
“The first deal I signed with them was for six months. The shoe fit, so we kept going. We’re still on a handshake deal.”
Jon Moxley On IWGP World Title Run
Jon Moxley then looked forward to defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in Japan. He made it clear that being in this position means a lot to him, as does AEW’s relationship with NJPW.
“I need to get through Hobbs on Dynamite, and then I get the opportunity to return to Japan with the championship,” Jon Moxley said. “I’m not intimidated by the opportunity. I’m much more comfortable with the ball in my hands. Let it fall on my shoulders. I’ll take all of the blame if it goes wrong. I am more comfortable when sh– goes off the rails. A lot of people want to be in those positions, but then they get there and realize it’s a lot harder than they thought.
“Nothing lasts forever. You can’t take anything to the grave with you. One day you’re giving everything back to the universe, and the world keeps spinning. It could last three weeks, it could last three years–but to be in this position, it means as much to me as anything I’ve ever had in wrestling. This relationship with New Japan is very important to me,” said Moxley. “I take it very, very seriously. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m right where I want to be.”
WrestleZone will have coverage of AEW Dynamite as it airs on April 24.
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