AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley has disclosed the intense motivation behind creating the Death Riders faction. Established in 2022, this group was initially named the Blackpool Combat Club and consisted of Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, PAC, and Bryan Danielson. The faction underwent a rebranding in 2024 after Moxley defeated Danielson at the WrestleDream pay-per-view (PPV) and forcefully ousted him from the group.
Following this event, Marina Shafir joined as Moxley’s enforcer, and Daniel Garcia became the newest member. The Death Riders have consistently maintained a vision of transforming AEW by eliminating weakness, which Moxley recently revealed stems from a deeper, personal drive.
Moxley Cites Dissatisfaction with AEW’s Culture as Catalyst
During an interview with his wife Renne Paquette on AEW Close Up, Moxley identified the creation of the Death Riders as the proudest accomplishment in his wrestling career. He expressed his frustration with the prevailing attitudes in All Elite Wrestling and a refusal to be dragged into that environment. Instead, he sought to establish an entirely new culture aligned with his own values, surrounded by trusted allies who share his mindset.
“I don’t think there’s anything I’ve ever done that I’m more proud of in my career than when we built the Death Riders. This culture, this attitude, this does not represent me. I do not represent it. I’m not gonna get pulled in this direction. You can’t change people. But you can build. So I just decided I would build a culture of my own. And it started with just me. And look at who’s next to me. Claudio’s next to me, who I would trust with my life, who’s been my right-hand man for years. Wheeler, who is basically an adopted child of mine at this point. PAC, who is a professional through and through. These are the kinds of people that I start with.”
?Jon Moxley, AEW Continental Champion
From Blackpool Combat Club to Death Riders: A Transformation Fueled by Vision
The faction’s shift from the Blackpool Combat Club to the Death Riders symbolized a decisive break from their former identity, marked by the dramatic expulsion of Bryan Danielson. Adding Marina Shafir as enforcer and recruiting Daniel Garcia further solidified this new chapter. Moxley’s leadership aims to forge a dominant unit within AEW that imposes its will and reshapes the promotion’s landscape.
This vision reflects Moxley’s determination to lead with a sense of personal integrity and unyielding resolve, carefully choosing members who embody his principles. His bond with Castagnoli as a trusted confidant, the protective stance towards Wheeler Yuta, and admiration for PAC’s professionalism all reveal the deliberate foundation of this faction.
Upcoming Title Defense and Future Stakes for Moxley
Jon Moxley is scheduled to defend his AEW Continental Championship at the Revolution PPV on March 15 in a No Time Limit match against Konosuke Takeshita. This high-stakes bout will test Moxley’s reign and underline the importance of his leadership within AEW.
The Death Riders faction remains a key force in the promotion, with their goal of eliminating weakness and building a relentless culture likely to influence AEW’s direction in the coming months. Moxley’s outspoken rejection of the current AEW attitudes signals ongoing tension and sets the stage for further developments within the roster and storylines.
