10 Awesome Wrestling Matches That Saved Careers
7. Jon Moxley Vs. Juice Robinson (NJPW Best Of The Super Juniors Final 2019)
While Jon Moxley's 2019 was populated with many matches that re-invigorated the former Dean Ambrose, none was more important than the first bout he worked since leaving WWE. Juice Robinson is a talented and over babyface with a lot of charisma and underrated wrestling acumen. The IWGP U.S Champion wanted to prove to the world that this newcomer Jon Moxley wouldn't disrespect him, his title and NJPW as a whole with this defence, and put in an excellent performance.
But this was the Jon Moxley showcase, allowing him to shred the limitations that the Dean Ambrose character had pigeonholed him into, unleashing a frenzy of brutal offence and creative displays of violence. He embraced the tough as nails Japanese tables, he didn't hold back on his punches or elbows in the slightest, and he even bit Robinson in the head to draw blood.
It was a performance born out of pure anger and frustration and led to catharsis upon the debut of his new DDT finisher, The Death Rider. This was the moment that we knew that Moxley was meant for greatness on the independent scene, which has been capitalised on in the year since.