Since departing WWE, Jon Moxley—formerly known as Dean Ambrose—has significantly elevated his standing in professional wrestling. Joining AEW in 2019, he quickly became a prominent figure in the Jacksonville-based promotion. This rise is closely linked to his transition from his WWE persona to a darker, more violent character reflecting his true creative vision, which he was unable to fully express while with WWE.
Unforgettable Betrayal on Raw in October 2018
The October 22, 2018, episode of Monday Night Raw delivered a deeply emotional experience for fans and wrestlers alike, particularly involving The Shield trio: Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose. On the show, Reigns revealed he was stepping away temporarily to fight leukemia. His Shield comrades embraced him in a heartfelt moment that underscored their brotherhood. Later in the evening, however, Ambrose shocked the audience by unexpectedly attacking his tag team partner, Seth Rollins, just after they had defeated Drew McIntyre and Nic Nemeth for the Raw Tag Team Championship. This startling turn of events occurred on the same night as Reigns’ emotional announcement, marking a boundary-breaking shift in Ambrose’s WWE character and making the segment memorable for fans.
Destroying The Shield Vest: A Symbolic Break with the Past
A few weeks following the betrayal of Rollins, Seth Rollins demanded an explanation in an in-ring interview with Corey Graves. Soon after, Ambrose appeared on the screen and delivered a chilling statement about shedding his past weaknesses associated with The Shield. In a decisive moment, he doused his Shield vest—a powerful emblem of their bond—in gasoline and threw it into a bin set ablaze. This destructive act, set against the backdrop of Roman Reigns’ health challenges, was a clear indicator of Ambrose’s departure from his previous WWE identity and foreshadowed the relentless persona he would adopt outside of WWE.
An Intense Rivalry Culminating in a Brutal Match at Extreme Rules
One of WWE’s most notable feuds involving Dean Ambrose was his 2016 rivalry with Chris Jericho. Their conflict began with a lighthearted tone, where Ambrose replaced Jericho’s “Highlight Reel” with his own “Ambrose Asylum” show. However, the rivalry escalated to a violent climax during their Asylum match at the Extreme Rules Premium Live Event. During this brutal encounter, thumbtacks were scattered in the ring, creating a perilous environment for both competitors. Demonstrating a brutal intensity not normally associated with WWE’s scripted performances, Ambrose reversed Jericho’s Codebreaker into a powerbomb directly onto the thumbtacks. Notably, Ambrose positioned himself closer to the thumbtacks before executing the move, confirming his willingness to embrace a more dangerous and physical style that now defines his AEW performances.
How These Moments Reflect Jon Moxley’s Boundary Crossings in WWE
These three incidents highlight Jon Moxley WWE boundary crossings during his time as Dean Ambrose. His betrayal of Seth Rollins amid Roman Reigns’ health crisis, the symbolic burning of The Shield vest, and the violent use of thumbtacks against Chris Jericho all signaled key moments where Ambrose pushed beyond WWE’s traditional storytelling limits. These moments foreshadowed the darker, more uncompromising character that Moxley would fully embrace after leaving WWE, ultimately contributing to his rising fame within AEW. Such acts, deeply emotional and intense, also underscored his desire for creative freedom and authenticity in his wrestling persona.
