At the AEW World’s End pay-per-view on December 27, Tony Khan, president and booker of AEW, addressed fan reactions to Jon Moxley’s victory over Kazuchika Okada in the Continental Classic final. Khan was not caught off guard by the support Moxley received, noting that the Tony Khan Continental Classic reaction was influenced by changes in Moxley’s matches during the tournament.
Khan’s Perspective on Moxley’s Fan Support
Tony Khan explained that he anticipated fans would cheer for Jon Moxley, especially because recent rules reduced the outside interference often seen in Moxley’s previous matches as part of the Death Riders. Without those distractions, Khan saw the possibility for Moxley’s genuine popularity to re-emerge given his long-standing connection with the audience.
“Was I surprised to see a positive reaction? No, because when you eliminate some of the outside interference, I believe that if you put Jon Moxley out there against great wrestlers and eliminate some of the shortcuts that made the Death Riders such unpopular villains, I kind of expected that might be the case because he’s always been a popular star,”
said Khan at the World’s End PPV post-show presser.
Moxley’s Redemption Journey in the Tournament
Throughout the Continental Classic, Jon Moxley’s character experienced a form of redemption. Leading up to the tournament, Moxley endured a series of losses, both before and during the early rounds. Despite these setbacks, he managed to secure a 3-2 record in the Blue League and, in a pivotal match, defeated Orange Cassidy in his final round robin bout to advance to the semi-finals.
Clean Competition Elevates Moxley’s Reputation
The structure of the Continental Classic required Moxley to win matches on his own, without the support or interference of the Death Riders or others, a shift from established patterns over the preceding two years. His ability to compete and secure victories under these circumstances, paired with his determined promos about the significance of the tournament, resonated with fans. This groundswell of support materialized, even though Moxley did not formally shift to a heroic role.
Implications for AEW’s Future
Moxley’s respected path through the tournament and subsequent win at the finals, combined with Tony Khan’s transparent commentary, indicates a possible evolution in AEW’s storylines. The positive response, particularly in the context of the Tony Khan Continental Classic reaction, highlights audience appreciation for fair competition and authentic character development, potentially setting new expectations for future AEW tournaments and events.
