Jon Moxley’s New AEW Persona Inspired by Australian Cult Classic Film

Jon Moxley’s recent return to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) during the August 28 episode of “AEW Dynamite” stirred a whirlwind of emotions. Fans were buzzing with excitement over his comeback, while viewers at home found his in-ring promo captivating. AEW commentator Tony Schiavone even confessed to being terrified when Moxley stared him in the eye, proclaiming, “This isn’t your company anymore.”

Although we’re just at the outset of what promises to be a much larger storyline for the ex-AEW World Champion, enthusiasts eager for some insight into Moxley’s new character arc may find clues in an unconventional source—a movie. Bryan Alvarez revealed this connection in a recent episode of “Wrestling Observer Live.”

“Romper Stomper. Australian cult classic, 1992,” Alvarez explained. “[Moxley] was playing Russell Crowe in this, in what he was doing.”

The big question remains whether Moxley is merely drawing inspiration from Russell Crowe’s character or if he plans to incorporate elements from the film’s intense narrative. “Romper Stomper” centers around a gang of Neo-Nazi skinheads disgruntled by the influx of Vietnamese immigrants into their neighborhood, leading to violent clashes between the two groups.

It’s uncertain if Moxley will dive that deep into the storyline by introducing neo-Nazi themes into AEW. Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time Moxley has referenced movie plots to add depth to his wrestling persona. In 2022, his feud with CM Punk echoed the storyline of “Rocky III,” although Punk wasn’t too thrilled, possibly because he had never seen the movie.