10 Wrestling Documentaries That Accidentally Uncovered Major Scoops

by Michael Sidgwick

1. Dean Ambrose Becomes Jon Moxley In WWE Canon

Dean Ambrose Chronicle
WWE.com

Dean Ambrose famously jumped ship from WWE to AEW in 2019, reverting once more to his Jon Moxley persona.

It actually happened in 2018, more or less - and this transformative career decision was captured by WWE cameras.

Ambrose's 'Chronicle' was a quasi-kayfabe deal that covered Ambrose's return from injury and subsequent heel run. Throughout, Ambrose cuts a pensive, uninterested figure. He barely smiles. He is visibly incapable of explaining his character's motivations. Speaking backstage after SummerSlam, Ambrose says "Tonight starts a whole new..." before trailing off. He doesn't know. He doesn't care, either. He snaps, throws away the bottle of water he's drinking from, and says he's just ready "to get in the f*cking ring". As viewers found out months later, this was code, effectively, for "to get away from stupid bullsh*t storylines".

Ambrose upon leaving WWE was adamant that he'd never again read from a script. He said so in his notorious Talk Is Jericho appearance and reiterated it upon promoting his book. In the closing scene of 'Chronicle', presented against the backdrop of the Nevada desert, his words are loaded with prescience.

"I told you when we started this thing. I said I'm not gonna read some script and play out some little fantasy happy ending. That's not how...that's not my life."

Dean Ambrose in that moment was handing in his notice.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!