Jon Moxley, a former WWE star and current leader of The Death Riders, has been at the center of controversy within AEW. His aggressive reign as AEW World Champion has made him and his faction feared in the locker room. The Death Riders include Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, and Pac, but their presence has divided opinions among fans and critics alike.
While some admire their ruthless heel tactics, many have grown tired of their repetitive storylines. Among the harshest critics is former WWE manager Jim Cornette, who recently aired his frustration on The Jim Cornette Experience. He derisively renamed the group “The Bore Horsemen,” expressing his displeasure with the predictability of AEW’s booking involving Moxley and his faction.
Cornette’s frustration escalated after a recent AEW Dynamite match where Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta faced off against Hangman Adam Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Mark Briscoe. Cornette accused AEW President Tony Khan of recycling stale booking ideas instead of refreshing the storytelling.
“It’s the same s*** they were doing. They just switched the belt. We’re not going to get rid of these guys. We’re not gonna not have to look at Moxley. Every week they are going to do the same thing. The new world champion in a six-man tag, still can’t get rid of the Bore Horsemen (The Death Riders),” said Jim Cornette. [From 0:16 to 0:36]
Concerns for Adam Cole’s Health and AEW Future
Another topic Cornette addressed was the condition of Adam Cole, the AEW TNT Champion who was forced to miss his title defense at All In 2025 due to medical reasons. Cole’s absence has raised doubts about his return timeline. On his show, Cornette voiced serious worries about Cole’s declining physical health since coming back from injury.
The former WWE star mentioned that Cole seems to be weakening and speculated that he might have been pushing himself too soon. Cornette emphasized that his concern lies more with Cole’s wellbeing than with AEW’s creative direction.
“Since he’s been back, he’s getting smaller. He’s getting frailer. I’m thinking that maybe he’s been doing it when he shouldn’t have been doing it… I’m more worried about him than his bad booking in f—ing AEW… I feel so bad for him,” said the WWE veteran.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Adam Cole’s health highlights the challenges AEW faces as it manages key talents’ well-being alongside maintaining compelling narratives. Cole remains one of Tony Khan’s top performers, making his recovery crucial for AEW’s future plans.
Implications for AEW’s Storylines and Talent Management
Jim Cornette’s harsh criticism reflects a broader dissatisfaction among some wrestling fans and insiders regarding AEW’s creative decisions, particularly involving Jon Moxley and The Death Riders. The label “The Bore Horsemen” symbolizes the frustration with repetitive booking patterns that risk diminishing audience engagement.
At the same time, concerns about Adam Cole’s health add a layer of urgency to AEW’s talent management strategies. His potential absence during recovery could impact ongoing storylines and the company’s championship landscape. How AEW responds to these internal and creative challenges will likely shape its direction in the coming months.
