Jon Moxley needs to save former WWE performer

A former WWE performer seems to be going through the motions, and one man who could save them from potential irrelevancy is Jon Moxley.

When it comes to the hierarchy of talent in AEW, Jon Moxley is firmly seated among the top guys in the Jacksonville-based promotion. The Purveyor of Violence is a 4-time World Champion in the promotion and the de facto leader of one of the most dominant factions in All Elite Wrestling history, the Death Riders.

The Death Riders currently consists of Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, PAC, and their most recent joinee, Daniel Garcia. However, the group has been hinting towards adding one more star to their ranks, and that star is former WWE performer Kris Statlander. For those unaware, Statlander made one appearance in the Stamford-based promotion on SmackDown LIVE! back in 2019.

Although Kris Statlander is a prominent face in AEW, she needs a boost to reach the next level. Under the tutelage of Moxley, who has a reputation for elevating stars, the former TBS champion can achieve that level.

Kris Statlander and Jon Moxley's recent interactions

Back in the day, Kris Statlander and Death Riders member Wheeler Yuta used to be part of two factions called Best Friends and Chaos before they eventually went their separate ways. A few months ago, Wheeler began closely monitoring Statlander, and Moxley soon joined, sending subtle hints of appreciation toward Statlander during their backstage interactions. The Purveyor of Violence even helped the Galaxy's Greatest Alien secure her winnings of $100,000 from the Young Bucks.

What makes this saga even more interesting is that Statlander seems to be reciprocating to Moxley. In a recent interview, she called Moxley a top star in AEW and even suggested that taking advice from him would not be a mistake.

Kris Statlander is set for AEW Women's World Title match at All Out 2025

One of the reasons why the Death Riders seem interested in Statlander is her prominence in AEW. The former TBS champion is set to challenge Toni Storm for the Women's World Title at All Out in a 4-way match, which also features Thekla and Jamie Hayter.

This seems perfectly set up for Jon Moxley to bring Statlander into the group by helping her win the title at the pay-per-view. By herself, Kris may not seem like she has enough star power to carry the top prize in the AEW women's division. However, if the 30-year-old aligns with Moxley, she has the necessary backing that could elevate her status as champion in Tony Khan's promotion.

Jon Moxley has elevated other stars in Death Riders

Despite his dark persona on TV, Jon Moxley has built a reputation for giving back to the business, and part of that is helping elevate lesser-established stars. The likes of Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir have benefited from working with Moxley, as he has brought the best out of them. As a matter of fact, Shafir's friend and MMA legend Ronda Rousey recently thanked Moxley for taking her under his wing.

We can expect Jon Moxley to have the same effect on the newly recruited Daniel Garcia and Kris Statlander, should she finally join his ranks.

About the author

Karan Raj is a senior writer in Sportskeeda's AEW division. He holds an engineering degree from Manipal University, but his passion for sports motivated him to pursue an MSc in Sports Business from the University of Liverpool. Karan has been in the sports marketing industry for the past seven years.

As a lifelong WWE fan and enthusiast of wrestling entertainment, he has always been drawn to the industry's unique blend of sports and storytelling. Karan was introduced to the business by his elder sister when he was 10 years old.

Before assuming his current role at Sportskeeda, Karan worked for several reputable organizations, such as Ting Works LLP and Sportz Interactive, wearing different hats. He also wrote the anthem of UP Rudras, a hockey team that played in the Hockey India League. Karan conducts thorough research while writing articles and only relies on credible sources for information.

Karan's favorite pro wrestler is Seth Rollins. He admires The Visionary's versatility as a performer and his ability to play both heel and babyface characters to perfection. Besides Rollins, Karan looks up to Roman Reigns for his storytelling skills and ability to captivate audiences.

In AEW, he enjoys watching Will Ospreay compete inside the ring. Karan loves The Aerial Assassin's technical in-ring ability and athleticism. If Karan could go back to the Attitude Era, he would combine forces with Jericho and promise to elevate his career to the same level as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.When not writing about pro wrestling, Karan loves to play and watch football. It is a huge part of his life.

He is also a massive fan of tennis and is learning to play the sport. Apart from sports, he also knows how to play the ukulele.

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Edited by Karan Raj