Jon Moxley’s victory over Kazuchika Okada for the Continental Championship at AEW Worlds End 2025 turned heads at Illinois‘ NOW Arena, as fans rallied behind his unmistakable Jon Moxley badass babyface role. This pivotal moment marks a dramatic character shift, reminiscent of classic wrestling icons and signaling a potential new direction for the AEW main event scene.
Moxley Captures Continental Championship to Fan Support
At the AEW Worlds End 2025 event, Jon Moxley, also known as “The Purveyor of Violence,” earned cheers from the Illinois crowd after defeating Kazuchika Okada for the Continental Championship. Following his win, Moxley delivered a heartfelt promo, declaring that the championship belonged to all the athletes who had participated in The Continental Classic Tournament. He further dedicated his victory to the fans in attendance, solidifying the growing support for his current persona.
Earlier in the evening, Moxley had outlasted Kyle Fletcher in the semi-final round, overcoming physical adversity and demonstrating resilience that changed the mood around his All Elite Wrestling character. After spending considerable time as a heel figure, these back-to-back victories have positioned Moxley as a fan favorite, with audiences responding enthusiastically to his new trajectory.
Comparisons to Stone Cold’s Legendary Run
Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose during his stint in World Wrestling Entertainment, has had his latest AEW role compared to that of Attitude Era icon Stone Cold Steve Austin, a six-time WWE Champion. Media voices such as journalist Dave Meltzer have observed Moxley’s evolving role, noting the sync between Moxley’s current arc and the “badass babyface” archetype epitomized by Stone Cold.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed AEW’s creative approach, drawing direct parallels between Moxley and Steve Austin’s anti-heroic persona. Meltzer explained that AEW, led by Tony Khan and the wider creative team, is deliberately steering Moxley toward taking up the mantle of the defiant crowd favorite in the same vein as WWE’s Attitude Era poster boy.
“Jon Moxley is out there trying to do Stone Cold — you know, I don’t want to say exactly that, he is trying to do Jon Moxley, but I mean, it’s that whole Stone Cold Steve Austin total, badass babyface role is what [AEW is] gearing for for him,” Dave Meltzer said. “You can see it coming,” he added.
Current Injuries and What Lies Ahead
Despite basking in his Worlds End triumph, Moxley’s night was not without setbacks. He reportedly sustained a painful injury in the semi-final match against Kyle Fletcher, losing a tooth in the process. The wrestling community, including platforms like ITR Wrestling, is closely monitoring his recovery and providing ongoing updates.
As the new year approaches and the Continental Championship storyline intensifies, Jon Moxley’s shift to a Jon Moxley badass babyface role may become a defining feature of AEW’s upcoming events. The decision by Tony Khan and the creative team to evoke comparisons to Stone Cold Steve Austin highlights their ambition to recapture the spirit of relentless, crowd-approved anti-heroes. Fans and observers alike will be watching to see if Moxley’s journey leads to more iconic moments on wrestling’s grand stage.
