If you haven't been glued to TBS or HBO Max lately, you might be wondering if the "Death Rider" himself finally called it quits. There's always some rumor floating around. People love to speculate about a Shield reunion in WWE or Moxley just walking away to go fish in a creek somewhere.
But honestly? Jon Moxley is still in AEW, and he’s arguably more entrenched in the company now than he’s ever been.
He isn't just "there." He's the guy holding the AEW Continental Championship. He’s the leader of the Death Riders. He’s the person Tony Khan calls when things need to get violent and loud. If you saw the January 7, 2026, episode of Dynamite in Tulsa, you saw him go nearly the full twenty minutes with Shelton Benjamin just to prove a point.
Moxley isn't going anywhere. Not yet, anyway.
The Contract Situation: How Long is He Signed For?
Let's clear up the business side because that’s usually where the "is he leaving" talk starts. Back in late 2022, Moxley signed a massive five-year contract extension.
That deal keeps him under the AEW banner through October 2027.
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We are currently in early 2026. That means he has well over a year and a half left on his current deal. It wasn't just a "wrestler" contract either. It was a "franchise" contract. Tony Khan basically handed him the keys, giving him roles in coaching and mentorship. He’s essentially the locker room general.
Why people think he might leave
Wrestling fans have short memories. Every time Moxley takes a three-week vacation, the internet decides he’s heading back to WWE to be Dean Ambrose again.
It’s kinda funny if you think about it. He’s been vocal about how much he hated the "scripted" nature of his former life. In AEW, he gets to bleed, swear, and wrestle in Japan whenever he feels like it. Why would he trade that to go back to a place that once made him carry a gas mask and get "rabies shots" on TV?
- The Shield Factor: Fans want that Triple Threat at WrestleMania. It's a dream match, sure. But dream matches don't pay the bills like a guaranteed five-year executive-level deal.
- Burnout: Moxley works hard. In 2025 alone, he wrestled over 50 televised matches. That doesn't count the indie dates or the international trips. People mistake his "exhausted" look for "I'm quitting" look. No, that's just how he looks after a barbed wire match.
- The Death Riders Storyline: Some fans thought the creation of a new faction meant he was phasing himself out. In reality, it was about elevating guys like Marina Shafir and Claudio Castagnoli even further.
What is Moxley Doing Right Now? (January 2026)
If you're looking for him on the card, don't look for the "Big Burberry Belt." MJF currently holds the AEW World Championship (having won it back at Worlds End in December 2025).
Moxley is currently the AEW Continental Champion.
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He’s been treating that belt like it’s the most important thing in the world. He just finished a brutal defense against Shelton Benjamin on the first Dynamite of the year. He’s also neck-deep in a feud with Darby Allin. Darby has been on a warpath trying to take down every member of the Death Riders, and Moxley is the final boss at the end of that road.
Recent Match Highlights
- AEW Dynamite (Jan 7, 2026): Defeated Shelton Benjamin via pinfall with only five seconds left on the clock.
- Worlds End (Dec 27, 2025): Retained the Continental title in a chaotic four-way.
- The Rivalry of the Year: His 2025 feud with "Hangman" Adam Page was officially named the best rivalry in wrestling by several outlets. It was bloody, personal, and basically defined the "new" AEW.
The "Death Riders" and the New Era
Basically, Moxley has reinvented himself again. Gone is the Blackpool Combat Club of 2023. Now, it's all about the Death Riders.
This group—consisting of Mox, PAC, Marina Shafir, and Wheeler Yuta—has been the dominant heel force for the last six months. They aren't doing the "respect the mat" gimmick anymore. They’re doing the "we own this building" gimmick.
It’s been a bit polarizing. Some fans miss the "fun" Moxley who came out through the crowd to Wild Thing. The 2026 version of Moxley is much darker. He’s meaner. He’s leaner (mostly because he spent half of 2025 dealing with nagging injuries, according to Tony Khan).
Is a WWE Return Even Possible?
Never say never in wrestling. CM Punk came back. Bret Hart came back.
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But for Jon Moxley, the hurdles are huge. Aside from his contract running until late 2027, he is "AEW through and through." His wife, Renee Paquette, is a staple of the AEW broadcast team. They have a life built around the flexibility Tony Khan provides.
Could he show up for a Hall of Fame induction in 2030? Probably. Will he be at Royal Rumble next week? Not a chance. He’s literally booked to defend his title on AEW programming.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with Moxley without getting lost in the rumor mill, here is what you actually need to do:
- Watch AEW Dynamite on Wednesdays: He is almost always on the show, either in a match or a promo segment.
- Check the Continental Classic: If the tournament returns in late 2026, expect Moxley to be the centerpiece, as he basically "owns" that division right now.
- Follow NJPW Strong: Moxley still does "international partner" work. If he isn't on Dynamite, he’s probably in Tokyo or Chicago working a New Japan show.
- Ignore the "Contract Ending" YouTubers: Unless it's October 2027, any headline saying "Moxley Leaves AEW" is almost certainly clickbait.
Jon Moxley is the heart of AEW. While other stars have come and gone (or jumped ship), he’s the one who stayed and built the foundation. Whether you love the Death Riders or miss the old BCC, you've got to respect that the guy is still the hardest-working man in the business.
Check out the next episode of Collision or Dynamite—you’ll likely see him in the ring, probably bleeding, and definitely still an AEW employee.