Jon Moxley: A Lunatic’s Journey Through the World of Pro Wrestling

Jon Moxley

Jonathan David Good, who currently performs under the ring name of Jon Moxley for the All Elite Wrestling promotion, rose to fame under the name of Dean Ambrose at indie promotions like Dragon Gate USA and Combat Zone Wrestling. During his time in the indie scene, Jon Moxley competed alongside future WWE Superstars such as Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Sami Callihan. He was signed up by WWE’s (then) preparatory promotion Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). In his first ever televised match, he wrestled future Shield partner Seth Rollins. Let’s find out more about Jon Moxley,

Jon Moxley: All You Need to Know 

Jon Moxley: WWE Career

When did Jon Moxley make his WWE Debut?

After honing his chops at WWE’s preparatory FCW promotion, Jon Moxley (who was known as Dean Ambrose back then, made his main roster debut alongside Shield brethren, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins during the 2012 pay per view, Survivor Series. This interference allowed CM Punk to defeat John Cena and keep his WWE Championship.

The Shield then helped Punk a few more times before dissociating with him, but continuing their attack on various Superstars, including The Undertaker, and bringing ‘justice’ in WWE.

United States Championship Reign

Ambrose’s first singles feud in the main roster was against Kofi Kingston, for the WWE United States Championship. At the Extreme Rules PPV in 2013, The Lunatic Fringe won his first championship in the main roster after defeating Kingston for the United States Championship. He then had a brief feud with Kane, against whom he retained his title, and then against Rob Van Dam, and the title remained firmly around his waist. Ambrose finally lost the United States Championship on the RAW after Extreme Rules, ending his title reign at 351 days, which is longest reign in the WWE era.

When did Shield breakup?

After months of teasing a dissolution of The Shield, it finally happened at Payback when Rollins turned on Reigns and Ambrose, under the instructions of Triple H. Rollins and Ambrose began their feud, and at the Money in the Bank ladder match, an interference and attack on Ambrose by Kane helped Rollins win the match. The two wrestled at SummerSlam, and after being attacked by Rollins on RAW a few weeks later, Ambrose was written off TV for a while.

He made a return to WWE TV at the Night of Champions PPV and ambushed Rollins, following which the two faced off at Hell in a Cell, and Ambrose began a feud with Bray Wyatt.

Intercontinental Championship Reign

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns began to team up, and the former then feuded with Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper. An injury to Rollins, who was WWE Champion, meant that he had to relinquish the title, following which a 16-man tournament was held to crown the new champion, which included Ambrose.

Dean Ambrose was defeated by Reigns in the final at Survivor Series 2015, and then began a feud with then Intercontinental Champion, Kevin Owens, and soon secured the title after becoming the No. 1 contender. After successfully defending his title at Royal Rumble, he was then added to a triple threat No. 1 contender match against Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, to get a chance to face WWE Champion, Triple H.

WWE Championship Reign

Roman Reigns pinned Dean Ambrose in the match at Fastlane, and he was then ambushed by Brock Lesnar, and the duo’s feud culminated in a No Holds Barred Street Fight at WrestleMania 32, which The Beast won. He had a brief feud with Chris Jericho, before winning the Money in the Bank ladder match, defeating Dolph Ziggler, and then going on to clinch the WWE Championship from Seth Rollins, for the first time.

Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins faced off against each other at Battleground for the WWE Championship and retained the title, and once again retained it when he defeated Dolph Ziggler at Summerslam. He lost the WWE Championship to AJ Styles at Backlash, and then the duo had a memorable feud with the inclusion of James Ellsworth in the storyline.

Dean Ambrose was once again in the running for the Intercontinental Championship and feuded with The Miz for the title, eventually winning it for the second time in January 2017. After a brief feud with Baron Corbin, Dean Ambrose once again feuded with The Miz, but this time The A-Lister got the better of him and regained his title at Extreme Rules, ending his title run at 152 days.

Shield Reunion and Departure from WWE

Dean Ambrose made a successful comeback in August 2018, assisting Rollins against Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. A week later, he again helped Seth Rollins in winning the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam and then assisting Roman Reigns alongside Rollins against Braun Strowman who attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract a day later. This developed into a feud between The Shield and the trio of Ziggler, McIntyre, and Strowman, which eventually led to Braun Strowman walking away from his teammates after a defeat in the rematch.

This was followed by the departure of Roman Reigns after his announcement of leukemia, and a heel turn by Ambrose who constantly attacked and stalked Seth Rollins, accusing The Shield of making him weak. Ambrose even went to the extent of burning his Shield vest. He would go to win the Intercontinental title from Rollins at TLC but would lose it to Bobby Lashley on January 14, 2019, in a triple threat match which also included Rollins. After claiming that he was never defeated clean by Rollins, he urged Triple H to set up a match between them, which he lost. He then announced to the WWE officials off the air that he did not wish to renew his contract and would be leaving the company after WrestleMania 35. He was offered a bigger contract by the company but he turned it down, citing that he was unsatisfied with the creative direction of his character. Ambrose had some time left in his contract and he honoured it by continuing to appear in WWE events. However, speculation about his imminent departure was running wild in the WWE universe and once his contract expired, Ambrose quit the WWE and joined the All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

Jon Moxley: AEW Career

After his departure from WWE, he reverted to his Jon Moxley ring names. His addition to the AEW roster was highly celebrated by the promotion. His first appearance for the All Elite Wrestling(AEW) came in the Double or Nothing event, where he attacked wrestling legend Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega and even the referee, following which it was announced that Moxley had been signed with the AEW on a multi-year contract. And his next appearance for AEW will be in AEW Fyter Fest which is the second event promoted under AEW banner. Jon Moxley looks all set to feud with Kenny Omega during his initial AEW run.

Jon Moxley: NJPW Career

Jon Moxley made his NJPW debut during the Best of the Super Juniors finale in 2019. AEW CEO Tony Khan confirmed that Jon Moxley is entitled to take independent and international bookings during the summer before his AEW television deal starts in fall. This allowed him to perform for both promotions without quitting on one. In his first match for NJPW, Jon Moxley defeated Juice Robinson to win the IWGP United States Championship. Jon Moxley was also a participant in the G1 Climax 29 tournament. 

We will leave you with some of the best highlights of Jon Moxley’s wrestling career.

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