Update On Jon Moxley’s Status In AEW & NJPW

What does AEW Winter Is Coming mean for Jon Moxley's IWGP United States Title?

Jon Moxley
AEW/NJPW

All Elite Wrestling’s Jon Moxley currently finds himself in the difficult situation of holding a title he isn’t capable of defending, with the global health crisis preventing him from travelling to Japan (on a timescale compatible with his Dynamite commitments) to put his IWGP United States Championship on the line.

In addition, a term of Moxley’s AEW deal states that while he can compete in certain NJPW matches abroad, he can’t do so in the US, preventing him from defending on New Japan USA’s STRONG show.

Appearing on the Sunday Night’s Main Event podcast recently, the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer commented on speculation on Moxley dropping the AEW World Title to Kenny Omega on this week’s Winter is Coming show, thus allowing him to defend the IWGP US Title against KENTA at Wrestle Kingdom 15 in Tokyo on 4/5 January.

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Per Meltzer, Mox wasn’t booked for either night of WK as of last Thursday. He added that the Omega match’s result will have no bearing on whether or not he will head to Japan in January, as that situation depends more on whether or not AEW President Tony Khan can strike a deal with NJPW. It isn’t believed that Moxley would need to drop the AEW World Title to face KENTA.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.