5 major differences between Jon Moxley and Dean Ambrose

Perhaps the biggest transformation in recent pro wrestling history has been that of former WWE star Dean Ambrose into All Elite Wrestling star Jon Moxley.

The former Shield member informed WWE officials that he would not be re-signing with the company when his contract expired shortly after WrestleMania 35, and since leaving WWE, the new Dean Ambrose, known as Jon Moxley, has rolled full steam ahead without looking back.

Since leaving WWE, Moxley made a surprise All Elite Wrestling debut at Double Or Nothing, and is currently amidst a great run in New Japan Pro Wrestling's G1 Climax tournament.

Taking the above into consideration, let's look at 5 major differences between Jon Moxley and Dean Ambrose.

#5 Jon Moxley is as serious as they come

Dubbed The Lunatic Fringe in WWE, Dean Ambrose often found himself playing the more comedic role of the three members of The Shield. Roman Reigns represented the muscle in the group, Seth Rollins was the cunning Architect, and Dean Ambrose was oftentimes the silly wildcard.

Towards the end of his run in WWE, Dean Ambrose played a heel who particularly hated the WWE Universe, and found himself involved in numerous comedy angles involving Ambrose getting a shot from a WWE doctor in order to prevent him from contracting whatever the crowd in Los Angeles had. At one point, Ambrose entered the arena wearing a gas mask, an angle Ambrose admitted after he left WWE that he very much disliked doing.

With Jon Moxley, the comedy aspect of the character has been largely removed, and Moxley seems more focused than ever on proving his abilities in the ring.

Since debuting with AEW and NJPW, Moxley has been able to allow his inner fire loose during promos laden with a more serious tone and void of the humor typically found in WWE.

#4 Dean Ambrose was scripted, Jon Moxley is not

Often times it's easy to spot a scripted promo in WWE because it tends to have the same tone and message no matter who is delivering the promo.

Over the course of eight years, Dean Ambrose appeared in many scripted segments, including famous appearances on Miz TV, and delivering promos as a singles star and with The Shield.

The scripted nature of Dean Ambrose's promos were more often than not entertaining, as Ambrose is skilled enough to pull off a multitude of styles, but Jon Moxley is a different story.

Since leaving WWE, it's clear there has been a lot of pent up verbiage Moxley was unable to express in the scripted WWE environment, and he has been able to unleash more reality in his NJPW and AEW promos. Allowing Moxley to deliver his own promos has brought the audience closer to who Moxley is, and has shed new light on his in-ring persona.

#3 Jon Moxley is a fighter, Dean Ambrose is an entertainer

WWE likes to position its Superstars as entertainers and not wrestlers. The phrase Sports Entertainment has irked many pro wrestling fans throughout the years, with a very vocal group of fans preferring talents be presented more as wrestlers than actors.

In WWE, Dean Ambrose was presented first and foremost as an entertainer, and less so as a pro wrestler. During interviews following his WWE departure, Ambrose admitted his displeasure with having to perform scripted promos, recommending WWE hire an actor should they need one. Ambrose has also called wrestling in a WWE ring "restricting", something he found bothersome during his run in the company.

Jon Moxley, on the other hand, has been presented thus far as a fighter and a wrestler, and his in-ring work has certainly showcased his staunch physicality over his ability to entertain on the microphone.

With Moxley currently offering a very physically demanding style in the G1 Climax tournament, it's clear the former Dean Ambrose is looking to shed the skin of his entertaining moniker and establish himself as a true in-ring force.

#2 Dean Ambrose was an upper mid-carder, Jon Moxley is a main-eventer

In WWE, Dean Ambrose was oftentimes flanked by his Shield brethren Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, and the three appeared together as a group.

Many fans still believe Dean Ambrose was never given his true due in WWE, and talents like Rollins and Reigns were consistently pushed as main event level talents while Ambrose was regarded more as an upper mid-card talent.

Now that Ambrose has left WWE and has gone on to become Jon Moxley, he is carrying himself more like a top star than he ever appeared to do in WWE. Granted, Moxley might be somewhat of a bigger fish in a smaller pond in AEW and in NJPW, but in the latter two companies, he will be treated like a main event level Superstar.

Moxley's next high-profile bout will come at AEW's All Out, and the former WWE star will battle Kenny Omega, making Moxley an immediate main event player in AEW.

#1 Dean Ambrose was PG, Jon Moxley is TV MA

In hindsight, it might have been the best thing for a performer like Dean Ambrose to leave WWE, because he appears less suited for the PG style programming offered by WWE, and better suited for more mature content.

It became immediately evident at Double Or Nothing that All Elite Wrestling will not be shying away from the use of blood and hardcore violence in its TV product. Cody and Dustin Rhodes had an epic, hardcore battle at the PPV which set the tone for AEW's programming and offered a glimpse into how the company will differ from other wrestling promotions.

Jon Moxley can bring his own unique brand of adult-oriented entertainment to All Elite Wrestling, which will further separate Moxley from his previous Dean Ambrose persona. Furthermore, with AEW establishing that talents will not wrestle more than once or twice per week when the company debuts on TV, the policy will allow Moxley to work a stiffer style, which can showcase more of his non-PG persona.

How else does Dean Ambrose differ from Jon Moxely? Let us know in the comment section!