Jon Moxley continued his relentless pursuit of staying at the top of AEW by defeating Mark Davis on the February 18 episode of AEW Dynamite in a high-stakes AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match. Coming just days after a time-limit draw with Konosuke Takeshita at AEW Grand Slam Australia and an appearance at House Rules in Brisbane on February 15, Moxley showed no signs of fatigue despite the tight schedule and travel.
Turning Point: Injury Shifts Momentum
The match’s decisive moment occurred shortly before the commercial break when Davis attempted a powerful right hand to Moxley’s head. Moxley dodged, but Davis’s punch struck the ring post, injuring his hand. Suffering a busted hand, Davis adapted by focusing on elbows and forearms rather than punches, altering the course of the match significantly. Despite the injury, Davis—nicknamed Dunkzilla—mounted a fierce comeback with multiple near falls, including a Gut Wrench Piledriver that almost finished Moxley, who barely managed to get a shoulder up at the last second.
Final Exchange and Submission Victory
Davis sought to seal the win with his signature Close Your Eyes Piledriver, but Moxley countered into a stomp that left both wrestlers down on the mat. As they regained their footing, a series of Lariats exchanged blows with neither gaining a clear advantage on the first two strikes. On the third strike, Moxley tactically dropped to one knee, inviting Davis in, then swiftly transitioned to lock in the Bulldog Choke submission hold. With no escape, Davis tapped out, giving Moxley a hard-fought victory in his fourth Eliminator Match since capturing the AEW Continental Championship during the Continental Classic tournament at Worlds End 2025.
Significance of the Win and What’s Next
Moxley’s resilience after intense matches back-to-back highlights his determination and skill as AEW Continental Champion. Overcoming the challenge posed by a tough competitor like Mark Davis and managing an injury-affected match points to his adaptability under pressure. This victory positions Moxley strongly as he prepares for future defenses of the AEW Continental Championship, maintaining momentum and keeping fans on edge as the tournament series progresses.
