Jon Moxley explains inspiration behind Death Riders’ name in AEW
The Death Riders didn’t get their name out of a well-curated plan — it actually stemmed from a surprisingly random discovery linked to Jon Moxley’s hardcore persona.
Speaking with Renee Paquette on AEW’s Close Up, Moxley revealed the origins and influence of the group’s name. He linked it to his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2019 and recalled how an unexpected find of the phrase ultimately grew into something far bigger than anticipated.
“I don’t think there’s anything I’ve ever done that I’m more proud of in my career than what we’ve built with the Death Riders,” Moxley said.
“Death Riders means nothing. It’s just words put together. I like it because it’s kind of that wrestling Japanglish, because there was some kind of commercial with a jacket from Goodwill that said ‘Death Riders’ that I think was like the motorcycle guys who ride around inside the big steel ball at the carnival, which I’ve never done.
“So, I have no idea what it means or where it comes from, but in Japan they started calling me The Death Rider, and started calling – it’s a word that means nothing. But to me, it means something now.”
The former AEW World Champion also touched on how important the other members of the Death Riders have been to the group’s success.
“I don’t think I would be here if not for these people. I don’t know what I would be doing. I might be in jail by this point if not for this group of people,” Moxley said.
“You know, like a couple years ago, I’m looking around and I still look around to this day and I’m like, I’m surrounded by clowns everywhere. And I listen to people talk and I’m like, do you even know what you’re talking about? Are we even talking about wrestling? I don’t think you even know what you’re talking about.”
The Death Riders have been a dominant faction ever since their inception in AEW. Despite the name change from Blackpool Combat Club after a few members’ exits and additions, the group remains strong, now consisting of Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, Pac, and Daniel Garcia.
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.