Jon Moxley, after an eventful year in 2025, is once again holding championship gold in All Elite Wrestling as the Continental Champion. As Moxley appears to be steering away from his darker persona and regaining the support of AEW audiences, speculation is mounting that a legendary figure from professional wrestling may step in as his new mentor. This move could be instrumental for Moxley’s character transformation, with Mick Foley rumored as the frontrunner for the mentor role, solidifying what could be a major shift for the performer and the company.
Moxley’s Journey Through Championships and Character Development
Starting 2025 as the AEW World Champion, Moxley experienced both defeat and resurgence during the year. Despite losing the world title midway, he captured the Continental Title as the year came to a close. The evolution in Moxley’s presentation has seen him embrace a more heroic, crowd-friendly image, a departure from his previous dark and ruthless demeanor as the “Death Rider.” This shift is resonating with AEW fans, drawing them back into his corner and reigniting enthusiasm for his storyline direction.
For AEW, enhancing Moxley’s babyface turn could involve introducing a wrestling legend as his advisor. Industry insiders are increasingly discussing Mick Foley—known as Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy—as a possible debutant in this capacity. Foley’s legendary career spans iconic characters and brutal deathmatch encounters from prominent organizations, including WCW, ECW, WWE, and TNA. His legacy as a hardcore specialist and versatile persona has influenced generations, making him an ideal mentor candidate for a star like Moxley, who is also synonymous with deathmatch wrestling and intense characterization.
Mick Foley’s Shift Away from WWE and New Opportunities
Although Foley has been retired from active in-ring competition due to years of enduring physical punishment, he maintained a ties with World Wrestling Entertainment under a Legends Deal, making occasional on-screen appearances for WWE. However, recent events marked a turning point: Mick Foley announced the end of his WWE association, reportedly motivated by disagreements over the company’s relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. This principled decision has fueled speculation around the wrestling world about the future plans of the renowned performer once known as Cactus Jack.
According to reports, AEW President Tony Khan greatly admires the Hall of Famer’s contributions to the industry. With the company carving out space for compelling storyline mentorships, the arrival of Foley as Jon Moxley’s AEW mentor seems like a realistic and well-founded creative direction for 2026.
Continental Classic and Moxley’s Babyface Turn at Worlds End
At AEW Worlds End, Jon Moxley triumphed in the 2025 Continental Classic, overcoming Kyle Fletcher and Kazuchika Okada in the semifinals and finals to secure the tournament and the title. In the wake of his victory, Moxley addressed the crowd with a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude for the fans’ support and outlining his renewed mission in AEW.
Should AEW officially bring in Mick Foley, plans reportedly include pairing him with Moxley as an advisor and manager. Foley and Moxley share significant common ground as respected deathmatch performers and as wrestlers with a talent for developing rich, layered characters. Aligning Moxley with a beloved icon like Foley could further solidify his transformation into a hero for the AEW universe. Storyline possibilities abound, particularly if the Death Riders faction were to betray Moxley, potentially targeting Foley as well, thus bolstering Moxley’s motivation to turn fully against his former allies and seek out justice.
A Scrapped Storyline Involving Mick Foley and MJF
Before these recent developments, Mick Foley considered a return to wrestling programming, having been approached for a planned angle with AEW’s MJF. During an interview with Inside The Ropes, Foley revealed that MJF went so far as to propose a six-week storyline, including an audacious plot for MJF to attack Foley’s own son, Dewey Foley, on television. The plan would have set the stage for Mick Foley to return, seeking retribution.
“The first person I called was MJF because we had a top secret meeting at a Long Island Steakhouse, and he laid out six weeks of beautiful television,”
Foley said.
“You know the promo, Cane Dewey? [MJF] was literally going to Cane Dewey. He was going to beat up my son on television, and I was going to come back looking for vengeance.”
– Mick Foley, Hall of Famer
Interestingly, MJF also enjoyed a major victory at AEW Worlds End 2025, outlasting opponents to reclaim the AEW Men’s World Championship in the event’s climactic bout.
The Possible Impact of Foley’s Arrival in AEW
Bringing Mick Foley to AEW as Jon Moxley’s mentor would signal a major moment for the promotion, uniting generations of hardcore wrestling expertise and star power. The pairing could help evolve both Moxley’s character and storylines, leveraging Foley’s experience and popularity with fans. For AEW, such a move might draw in lapsed wrestling fans, boost ratings, and fuel renewed creative energy around Moxley’s journey as a reborn hero. The coming months are likely to see more speculation and potential hints as to whether this anticipated partnership will come to pass in 2026, altering the landscape of AEW and raising new possibilities for both Moxley and Mick Foley’s legacies.
