The Death Riders, a faction led by Jon Moxley in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), have been active since last year, gaining attention for their disruptive presence in the locker room. Alongside Moxley, the group includes Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, and Pac, who is currently inactive due to injury. Despite a global fanbase, the collective has attracted sharp criticism from industry veterans, calling into question their impact and booking.
Former Wrestler Konnan Voices Strong Criticism of The Death Riders
Retired wrestler Konnan expressed significant disappointment with the Death Riders during a recent episode of the Keepin‘ It 100 OFFICIAL podcast. He described the faction as lackluster, emphasizing that none of its members appear to be booked strongly or develop their characters effectively. Konnan singled out Wheeler Yuta for particular mockery, criticizing his appearance by comparing him to Cousin Itt from The Addams Family.
“Is there a more unassuming, underwhelming single group than Jon Moxley’s group? I’ll tell you why. Tell me who in that group is booked strong? Who has an individual program with anybody? Who gets any promo time? Who gets any character development? Why should we fear a 130-pound girl? Does Yuta ever win? That Cousin Itt haircut is brutal, and thank God for beards or he looked like he was still 15. And I’m not hating, I’m just stating on all of that,” Konnan said.
Konnan’s remarks open a harsh dialogue about the group’s standing in AEW, especially concerning the lack of prominent storylines or character growth among its members.
AEW Veteran Questions Manager Luther‘s Contribution to Toni Storm‘s Act
In addition to discussing the Death Riders, Konnan criticized the role of AEW veteran Luther, who manages Toni Storm, the AEW Women’s World Champion. Konnan argued that Luther does not positively contribute to Storm’s character and questioned the necessity of his presence during her matches and appearances.
“Let me just say this, I’ve said this a lot of times that Disco [Inferno] disagrees with me—I don’t think Luther adds anything to that act. Anytime I see him, I just laugh. He doesn’t talk for her because she doesn’t need someone to talk for her.”
Despite Konnan‘s negative view, Luther and Toni Storm remain popular with AEW fans, showing that opinions on their partnership vary widely within the wrestling community.
Implications for The Death Riders and AEW’s Future Storylines
The criticism from a veteran like Konnan casts a shadow over the future trajectory of the Death Riders, suggesting that the faction may need stronger booking and clearer character development to fulfill its potential. As AEW continues to grow, the promotion’s decisions regarding how to utilize stars like Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and other members of The Death Riders will be crucial to maintaining fan interest and competitive storylines.
The scrutiny also extends to other AEW talents like Luther and Toni Storm, highlighting ongoing debates about how managerial roles impact wrestling personas. For AEW watchers, these discussions signal that further evolution and adjustments in character presentations and booking styles could be on the horizon.
Sources: Keeping It 100 podcast, Sportskeeda Wrestling
