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There have been several integral feuds to AEW’s development and growth over the last few years, but the first true major feud between two top stars was between Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega, with their rivalry having several different chapters. However, when it came to their eventual matches, things just didn’t seem to go right. Whether it be fan backlash or unintentional errors, their rivalry lives as something that is quite underwhelming, with it existing as a damp cloud unless they rekindle the feud at some point in the future.
Moxley & Omega Were Initially AEW’s Two Biggest Singles Stars
Following the main event of AEW’s very first PPV, Double or Nothing 2019, Jon Moxley appeared to a thunderous ovation, and he set his sights on Kenny Omega straight away. He wanted to pick a fight with the widely considered best wrestler in the world. Their brawl ended the show with a bang, with it setting up a dream match that many fans thought they’d never see. As the months progressed, they would cross paths, notably on the first episode of AEW Dynamite, where they would crash through a glass table in a memorable spot.
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The story saw the in-ring magician Omega, find himself in and amongst hardcore fights, brawling, and taking himself to Moxley’s world of chaos and violence. It was a fun way to introduce fans to Omega, providing a more varied range of styles. The biggest name from NJPW and one of the hottest signings from WWE going head-to-head was a clever decision in starting the company off in a strong way. At Full Gear, they were set to clash in a Lights Out Match, which took the main event spot on the show.
Their Lights Out Match At AEW Full Gear Divided The Opinions Of Fans
To some, this match was the perfect mixture of violence and intensity, using several different tools, making the audience feel uncomfortable, but in a good way. The barbed wire, glass, gushing blood, and exposed apron, all played into a match that featured some hard-hitting and extreme moments. To others, this was far too much. Many fans may not have been familiar with the deathmatch style, and it acted as a shock to a portion of the audience, likely turning some heads away from the product. The match also caused AEW to receive a fine from the Maryland State Athletic Commission, due to the bloodshed and graphic match.
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Moxley would emerge victorious, but it was in a match that was hard to watch at times due to the brutal nature of the contest. A year later, Moxley was reigning as AEW World Champion, acting as the number one babyface in the company, whilst Omega was on the verge of a heel turn. The pair battled at Winter is Coming, and the match was enjoyable, though Moxley’s involvement was mostly overshadowed by the hectic finish and reveal of a working relationship with Impact Wrestling. Due to the shenanigans, a rematch was to take place at Revolution 2021, and this was the most disastrous encounter for the pair.
Their Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch Was A Failure
Omega and Moxley battled each other in an Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch, and the name of that stipulation alone brought about a lot of intrigue and interest from fans. The match itself was a strange one, with awkward pacing to ensure the small explosion and barbed wire spots could take place. It was certainly uncomfortable viewing once again, but it was different from anything else seen in AEW to that point, so it had that going for it at least. Anticipation was built throughout the match for the inevitable exploding ring at the end, so there was perhaps an awkward wait for that.
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The finish of the match was a mess, with The Good Brothers interfering, and Omega picking up the win without much of an issue. It was illogical, as they could have interfered twenty minutes prior, and it felt like a soft ending to what was a brutal match. However, the focus was more on the timer running down, to signal the explosion.
Eddie Kingston ran out to protect an unconscious Moxley, with the crowd on the edge of their seats. And then… nothing. A few sparklers let off from the ring posts, with the explosion being a dud - not working, leaving the show to go off air to an awkward atmosphere, and even boos. This was a complete farce and was certainly not worth the risk. This main event took the headlines, overshadowing the strong show that preceded it. Once again, a Moxley and Omega match received negativity, despite the pair being two of the biggest names that came in on day one. If they come to blows again in the future, a straight-up wrestling match without any overbooking or stipulation is needed to set the record right and to allow the rivalry to have at least one universally well-received match.
