Opinion

Gunz: Jon Moxley Could Change The Way WWE Handles Its Talent

Has Jon Moxley opened up new doors for talent?

Published

6 years ago

May 30, 2019

Korey Gunz

Has Jon Moxley opened up new doors for talent?

In the span of fewer than two months, Jon Moxley, the former Dean Ambrose, has gone from WWE afterthought- a character that was frequently labeled as unappreciated and mishandled by most fans- to the hottest name in the business. Wrestling’s biggest free agent is a free agent no more. Moxley debuted for AEW this past weekend and revealed a deal for dates with New Japan as well. The decision he made in his mind a year ago to leave the WWE on his own recognizance has rejuvenated his career.

In the days of the “Monday Night War” between WWF/E and WCW, if a talent was leaving one company, it would be highly assumed that they would be sought after by the other. And in most cases, that talent’s final months in their current company might be spent either consistently putting other wrestlers over on TV week after week, or simply sitting at home and not being used on TV at all, in an effort to dilute their value and stature in fans’ eyes.

This was strangely not the case with Dean Ambrose. Soon after rumors swirled online that Ambrose had not yet re-signed his contract with WWE and could very well be on his way out of the company, it was concretely confirmed on television that was just the case. Ambrose would soon depart the WWE. The real-life situation was then woven into the storyline reunion of the Shield. It hastily erased Ambrose’s shocking heel turn a few months earlier, but in addition to a WWE Network special and a slew of new t-shirt sales, it gave Ambrose a swan song rarely seen given to anyone else outside of “legend” status. Yes, he put over Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley in the final weeks, but he was figuratively given a bro hug as opposed to a kick in the rear on the way out. So why, with many believing WWE might soon face their first real competition in almost twenty years, for the change in the usual protocol?

With the intent of writing this article, I spoke with Tom Colohue from Pro Wrestling Torch about this topic. Colohue told me that, according to his sources, “Ambrose offered WWE certain assurances that encouraged WWE to give him a proper send off. They (WWE) believed that he was going out the ‘right way.’” However, Colohue told me, “from personal opinion, I believe that the assurances in question have now been proven false.”

So it would seem that, while WWE appreciated Ambrose giving them far advanced notice that he would not be resigning with the company, they were not under the impression that the reason Ambrose was declining to re-sign was because of an intentional desire to instead sign with AEW or any other major wrestling company. Had they been of that mind, perhaps the situation would have been handled differently. In fact, when I asked Tom if he thought the WWE would have gone the same route with Ambrose’s final days had they known he was signing with AEW, he said, “I do not. I think in that instance he vanishes from TV completely.” So does the WWE feel screwed, or at the very least misled, by Ambrose? “I’m waiting on an answer to that one myself,” Tom said.

Vince McMahon and the WWE are not dumb. You have to assume they knew Ambrose signing with another ‘major’ company was at least a possibility since he’d be free and clear after his contract was up (no no-compete clause, etc). But instead of playing ‘business as usual’ or even diluting or straight burying Dean as his obligations to the company wrapped up, creative instead steered to an unusual route. Not only did they openly acknowledge that one of its top talents was leaving, but they also made it part of a storyline on TV. “WWE always believed Ambrose to be the least marketable of The Shield,” Colohue told me. Plus, “the farewell tour was a way to get Roman back in action while having him wrestle as little as possible. It also helped boost Rollins in the run into ‘Mania. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t about Ambrose very much at all.”

So was this farewell tour more of an indictment on ‘the competition’ (AEW, New Japan, etc) being seen as anything but, or an indictment on the way WWE viewed Ambrose himself as a performer and a brand?

Surely the WWE could have still done the Shield reunion without Dean’s ongoing contract negotiations as part of the puzzle. Perhaps it made his babyface turn a little easier to justify from a storyline standpoint. It would still seem strange that WWE might openly admit that a top guy is leaving, and probably doing so to sign with a new competing company. Unless, as I believe, at the time they didn’t think much of AEW or Ambrose. Vince may not have even been aware of what All Elite Wrestling was, and I doubt he viewed Dean as a big enough star to make any difference in any company he might join in the future. And if Dean’s departure, or possible subsequent debut somewhere else, isn’t going to affect WWE’s bottom line, what’s the harm in using his character to give Reigns and Rollins a rub and sell some new Shield merchandise on the way out?

Cocky? Sure. Self-righteous? Maybe. Wrong? We shall see.

In the days since Double or Nothing, is it possible some of the WWE’s sentiments have changed? Might they be wondering if they missed the mark on Ambrose? Will the buzz Jon Moxley has created subside, or can a company like AEW ride the wave of momentum (and a new TV deal) and truly challenge for a piece of the wrestling pie? Colohue told me, “From what I’ve heard it’s officially business as usual. They don’t consider AEW a threat as of yet, but they are watching.”

And WWE should be watching. It doesn’t mean much to them to lose Dean Ambrose, but it means a lot for AEW (and even New Japan) to gain Jon Moxley. And therein lies the rub. It’s why guys like The Revival are reportedly getting 2-3 million dollar contract offers. What might cost WWE more- overpaying a bit to keep their talent on the roster, or the buzz that talent’s departure might create for the ‘other guys?’

I do not believe that the WWE will ever not be the #1 wrestling company in the world. The question is, will there ever again be a true #2? And just how much distance can be maintained, or ground made, between those two spots? In the next few months, we will probably find out if the handling of Dean Ambrose’s departure will become the new norm, or might be a pivotal turning point for the future in the way the WWE views the need to continue to protect their territory in this new landscape of the wrestling business.

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Related Topics:AEW Dean Ambrose Double Or Nothing Featured Featured Big Jon Moxley New Japan Pro Wrestling Torch The Shield WWE

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1