Tony Khan believes Jon Moxley’s chaotic 2025 run was a masterpiece of long-term storytelling, even if fans didn’t realize it at the time. Speaking on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, Khan compared Moxley’s character arc to that of Howard Hamlin from the hit series Better Call Saul.
“Howard Hamlin, maybe misunderstood at the beginning, and the more you see, the more you understand about Howard Hamlin… people maybe didn’t see what he was trying with his intentions, but everything he said he would do, he accomplished,” Khan explained.
Khan argued that Moxley’s goal with the “Death Riders” faction was always to lift AEW, a mission he successfully completed by the end of the year. He expressed deep gratitude for Moxley’s contributions, noting that the star has been with the company since the very first show in 2025. “Mox has been with us since the very first show right here in Las Vegas… He comes to all the shows. He’s such a huge part of what we do.”
Khan also revealed that several key creative elements of the Death Riders angle came directly from Moxley himself, including the concept of keeping the AEW World Title in a briefcase. “That was John’s idea. It was brilliant… I remember talking to Jon for like three hours before All In London… and just some brilliant things and to think how far he was able to take it.”
Moxley capped off the year by winning the Continental Classic tournament at Worlds End, defeating Kazuchika Okada in the finals. The victory marked a turning point for his character, as fans embraced him with a massive ovation, cementing a babyface turn after months of villainy.