Since returning to AEW in January 2022, Jon Moxley has been in the form of his life. After earning plaudits for his feud with Bryan Danielson, the pair became teammates as part of the Blackpool Combat Club. This provided the springboard for the star to win the AEW World Championship twice, and cement his status as one of the most popular stars in the company.
On the most recent episode of Dynamite Moxley defeated Penta El Zero Miedo to retain his AEW World Championship. During the bout Moxley performed with his trademark energy and aggression, something which caught the eye of Jim Ross.
The AEW announcer went on to compare Moxley to WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin on social media, where he was quickly criticised. However, Ross, who famously commentated on Austin’s rise to superstardom in the late 1990’s, stands by his comments as he was simply trying to compliment Moxley.
“Jon Moxley Is Austin-Esque” – Jim Ross
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer took issue with the criticism that was directed his way, before explaining his point further.
“I made two comments, one, I took a screenshot of my TV with Bryan Danielson on it, and the more I get him on my TV, the more I like it. Everybody complimented that. I did another one, later on, just following the show, and it was during a Jon Moxley offensive frenzy; strikes, strikes, strikes, assault. All I said was, ‘Jon Moxley is Austin-esque.’
I should have probably said, ‘at this moment’ or ‘tonight’ or ‘during this offensive onslaught’ or something like that. I caught so much sh*t from fans. They want to make sure you see it, so they tag you and think you might react to them. It’s funny. I thought it was a compliment to Moxley and it was a compliment I meant. His game does remind me of Austin’s at times.
Am I saying that he’s going to be better or greater than Austin? I don’t know that anybody will ever be as great as Stone Cold when he was at his peak. He’s still my favorite guy. I just thought there were pieces of Moxley’s game, surrounding his aggression and tenacity, that reminds me of Steve. That’s all I said.
Then you get sh*t for it because someone didn’t agree with you or they think you’re putting Austin down. Just because you compliment someone doesn’t mean you’re knocking somebody else,”
It has already been announced that Jon Moxley will be in action at Full Gear on November 19th when he defends his AEW World Title against MJF.
H/t to Fightful