The Death Riders have faced significant setbacks, notably when Jon Moxley lost the AEW World Championship to Hangman Adam Page at All In: Texas last month. Since then, the faction has grown more aggressive and is actively searching for new members to replenish its ranks. This renewed recruitment effort aims to restore the group‘s dominance in AEW, with Moxley leading the charge.
Recently, The Death Riders, together with their mercenary Gabe Kidd and allies The Young Bucks, were overwhelmed in a Lights Out Steel Cage match at Forbidden Door 2025 by a team composed of Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and The Golden Lovers. This defeat has intensified the group‘s desire not only to vanquish their foes but also to rebuild their collective power.
Potential Star: Kris Statlander’s Growing Connection to the Death Riders
Kris Statlander has faced tough challenges in recent weeks, battling Megan Bayne, Penelope Ford, and their alliance known as The Triangle of Madness. While trying to mend her friendship with Willow Nightingale, Statlander has also formed new connections with wrestlers like Queen Aminata and Harley Cameron. Despite being a babyface, she and her allies were defeated by The Megasus and The Triangle of Madness at Forbidden Door Zero-Hour, with their feud continuing on AEW Dynamite’s subsequent episode.
Interestingly, Jon Moxley has shown noticeable support for Statlander backstage, acknowledging her recent achievements. Notably, he arranged for her to receive a $100,000 prize that The Young Bucks had claimed. This gesture underscores Moxley’s investment in her career, fueling speculation that Statlander could soon be recruited into the Death Riders, especially given the faction’s ongoing conflicts with Willow Nightingale.
Daniel Garcia’s Rising Role and Possible Alignment with The Death Riders
Following The Death Riders’ attack that seemingly ended Bryan Danielson’s full-time career at WrestleDream 2024, Daniel Garcia was positioned as an emerging opponent to Moxley’s faction. However, Garcia’s booking since capturing the TNT Championship from Jack Perry has drawn criticism, particularly regarding his limited involvement in opposing the Death Riders despite early indications.
In the latest AEW Dynamite, Garcia faced Jon Moxley in a solo match, falling short but earning Moxley’s respect. Subsequently, on AEW Collision, Moxley was seen advising Garcia before his bout with Blake Christian. Afterward, Garcia challenged Moxley to another singles match, which Wheeler Yuta accepted for his leader.
This sequence suggests that Moxley might recognize Garcia’s potential and, similar to how Yuta joined the former Blackpool Combat Club, extend an invitation to him. Fans have speculated that Garcia may soon turn heel, with a possible character transformation marked by his recruitment into the Death Riders.
Jack Perry’s Uncertain Status and Possible Shift Toward Moxley’s Faction
Jack Perry has been absent from AEW programming since losing the TNT Championship to Daniel Garcia at last year’s Full Gear pay-per-view. Although he appeared at NJPW Strong Style Evolved in a tag team match and had a tense reunion with The Young Bucks, ongoing friction remains. Perry accused The Young Bucks of abandoning him during his feud with Garcia, and despite suggestions to resolve differences privately, no reconciliation has yet occurred.
A recent clip from Being The Elite showed Perry calling Matt and Nick Jackson after their loss at the Forbidden Door event, but they did not answer. This rejection might be the breaking point, prompting Perry to abandon his Elite stablemates and consider joining Moxley’s faction. Jon Moxley’s backstage interaction with Perry last year was reportedly amicable, and Perry’s growing frustration over The Young Bucks‘ failures could motivate a shift in allegiance.
If Perry does join the Death Riders, it may coincide with a split between him and The Young Bucks, further escalating factional tensions within AEW.
The Future of AEW’s Death Riders and Their Potential Rebirth
With the Death Riders suffering key losses and recent setbacks, Jon Moxley’s search for new members like Kris Statlander, Daniel Garcia, and possibly Jack Perry signals an urgent attempt to regain tactical advantage. Recruiting these unpredictable and talented wrestlers could inject much-needed energy and aggression into the group.
This revival effort could reshape AEW’s faction dynamics, intensifying rivalries and altering championship landscapes. How these recruits respond to Moxley’s leadership and the inherent factional drama will be central to AEW’s evolving storylines in the coming months.
