Jon Moxley recruiting Kris Statlander for Death Riders has sparked significant unrest in AEW, leaving fans and insiders tense amid an intensifying faction rivalry. The shocking move unfolded during the latest AEW Collision, further fueling division inside Tony Khan’s promotion as Statlander finds herself at a crossroads.
The Death Riders’ Reign and AEW’s Ongoing Turmoil
For nearly a year, The Death Riders have been a dominant force in AEW, orchestrating chaos under Jon Moxley’s leadership. Moxley, known as the Purveyor of Violence and the only four-time AEW World Champion, has maintained a united and ruthless crew despite ongoing controversy. Since seizing the world title from Bryan Danielson 254 days ago, he, alongside Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli, has extended the group’s menacing influence across Tony Khan’s companies and partner promotions. The stable’s unchecked aggression has drawn criticism from both the AEW fan base and notable industry insiders, who are pressuring Khan to halt the dominant narrative, even as the Death Riders press on unfazed.
Meanwhile, figures like Willow Nightingale have become leading babyfaces rallying opposition against The Death Riders. Nightingale recently broke off her friendship with Kris Statlander and was pinned during their match, which was influenced by covert interference from Moxley’s crew. Statlander, facing mounting uncertainty about her loyalties, found herself pushed toward The Death Riders, with former ally Wheeler Yuta encouraging her to move on from Nightingale.
A Tense Recruitment: Moxley’s Approach to Statlander
This week’s AEW Collision brought the drama to a head. During an interview with Lexi Nair, Statlander showed clear frustration. The Decoder—identified as Wheeler Yuta—tried to influence her decision-making once more, but Statlander rejected his advice, physically shoving Yuta against a wall.
As Statlander turned, she unexpectedly collided with Jon Moxley, dropping her phone in surprise. The AEW World Champion, ever the intimidating presence, handed her phone back and delivered a personal message.
“Don’t ever… ever… let anybody tell you who you are, or what you’re worth,” Jon Moxley said in the video below.
With these words, Moxley left Statlander to consider her next move, underscoring the gravity of the interaction.
Kris Statlander’s Quest for Gold and Internal Conflict
Kris Statlander’s journey in AEW has been marked by ambition and setbacks. Known as “The Galaxy’s Greatest Alien,” she recently chased after championship gold, previously capturing the TBS Title at Double Or Nothing 2023 when she unseated Jade Cargill. However, her reign ended after 174 days, courtesy of Julia Hart during a Full Gear Triple Threat Match, which also included Skye Blue. These experiences have placed Statlander in a position where aligning with The Death Riders could signal a dramatic career shift, especially as she faces uncertainty about where her allegiance lies within AEW’s fractured landscape.
What’s Next for Statlander and AEW?
Jon Moxley’s recruitment attempt adds another layer to the ongoing faction war within AEW and signals potential upheaval if Statlander decides to accept his invitation. With the tensions between babyfaces and The Death Riders escalating, industry insiders are watching closely to see how Tony Khan navigates mounting pressure. The decision made by Statlander in the coming weeks could significantly reshape the faction landscape and impact the balance of power within AEW as rivalries intensify.
