Jon Moxley, often described as one of AEW’s most intense competitors, was seen sharing a rare backstage smile alongside Death Riders teammate Marina Shafir, catching fans off guard. This Jon Moxley backstage moment surfaced while the wrestling world was still reeling from Chris Jericho’s AEW departure and Mercedes Mone’s dramatic title loss, marking a turbulent period within Tony Khan’s promotion.
Mercedes Mone’s Record Title Reign Halted by Willow Nightingale
In one of the most significant upsets in AEW’s women’s division, Willow Nightingale dethroned Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship during the New Year’s Smash edition of Dynamite. Mone, once known as Sasha Banks, saw her historic 584-day reign—the longest in title history—come to an end. Nightingale’s victory not only earned her the TBS title but established her as the first competitor to hold both that championship and the AEW Women’s Tag Team title concurrently alongside Harley Cameron.
This defeat contributed to a string of setbacks for Mone. Leading up to her TBS title loss, she was also defeated by Alex Windsor for the RevPro Undisputed Women’s Championship and by Red Velvet for the ROH Women’s Television Championship. Additionally, Mone had recently failed to secure the Women’s Tag Team Titles at the Worlds End event, indicating a tumultuous phase in her wrestling trajectory.
Chris Jericho Bids Farewell to AEW After Pivotal Run
AEW also witnessed the end of an era as Chris Jericho’s contract with the company expired, making him a free agent. As a founding figure and the first AEW World Champion, Jericho—revered both as “Le Champion” and a 26-time WWE titleholder—played a crucial role in launching the Jacksonville-based promotion to international prominence. His absence from AEW programming since April 2025 fueled speculation about his next move, with many anticipating a potential WWE return, perhaps as early as the January 2026 RAW episode. Jericho’s future remains uncertain, but his contributions to AEW have left an undeniable legacy.
Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir Drop Their Guard Backstage
A new social media post caused a stir among All Elite Wrestling fans after Renee Paquette shared a candid photo of Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir smiling backstage, accompanied by Paquette and her daughter. The image stood in stark contrast to their typically stoic, intimidating on-screen personas as members of the formidable Death Riders faction.
Moxley’s character development has grown increasingly complex, as he oscillates between his established heel status in AEW and moments that reveal a more heroic side. His victory speech at Worlds End following the Continental Classic win displayed strong babyface undertones, furthering fan intrigue about the future trajectory of his character and potentially signaling a shift in alignment down the road.
Diamante and Kiera Hogan Celebrate Their Engagement
Outside the ring, AEW’s former rivals Diamante and Kiera Hogan made headlines by announcing their engagement. Sharing their joy on social media, Diamante posted photos of the engagement ring, while Hogan referred to Diamante as her fiancé. The news drew enthusiastic responses from fans and colleagues, celebrating the pair’s personal milestone.
“Say hello to my fiancé 🥰🥰💗💗💗”
– Kiera Hogan
Both wrestlers are following new professional paths: Hogan left AEW in 2025 and now competes as a free agent, whereas Diamante continues to wrestle under the Ring of Honor banner. Their announcement has spotlighted the close-knit nature of the wrestling world, where personal and professional lives often intertwine in the public eye.
What These Shifts Mean for AEW’s Future
The combination of high-profile character moments, backstage glimpses, and personal milestones highlights a period of emotional depth and unpredictability within AEW. Jon Moxley’s backstage moment with Marina Shafir broke the mold for the typically menacing Death Riders, suggesting evolving storylines or greater character nuance ahead. The departures and losses of major talents like Chris Jericho and Mercedes Mone are reshaping the AEW landscape, potentially opening doors for new contenders and narratives. As stars such as Willow Nightingale and Diamante take center stage, All Elite Wrestling appears poised for continued transformation, driven by both in-ring outcomes and off-screen moments.
WILLOW NIGHTINGALE IS THE FIRST 2 TIME TBS CHAMPION!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/lTAZWmaqsK
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 1, 2026
Marina Shafir with Jon Moxley, Renee Paquette and their daughter Nora. ❤️
(via Renee’s IG) pic.twitter.com/J45zBThxT6
— Drainmaker (@TheDrainmaker) December 31, 2025
Say hello to my fiancé 🥰🥰💗💗💗 https://t.co/0ikZ9IAUmt
— Kiera Hogan (@HoganKnowsBest3) January 1, 2026
