Mox breaks silence on IWGP Global three way
When Will Ospreay defended the IWGP US/UK Championships over Shota Umino at Power Struggle, Jon Moxley was in the corner of his protege. Umino had declared that on victory he would be challenging mentor Moxley, but when the result didn’t go the challenger’s way, Mox hit the ring anyway. Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay had unifinished business going back to Windy City Riot in 2022, when a highly contested referee call granted Moxley a controversial victory. Just as Ospreay proposed they settle their issue in the Tokyo Dome though, David Finlay would hit the ring, destroying both red and gold belts and leading to the creation of a new Global Championship to be inaugurated on January 4. Before this three way showdown, Mox gave his thoughts on the new gold, the competition and more.
Watch Wrestle Kingdom 18 LIVE and in English January 4 2024!
International tickets on sale NOW for Wrestle Kingdom!
–When you first came into NJPW, you faced Juice Robinson for the IWGP US Championship, and David Finlay was his partner at the time. What are your thoughts on Finlay then as compared to now?
Moxley: I’ve watched David Finlay through the years rising up from a Young Lion, a little cub, to a contender. A roaring big lion, with big teeth, and big balls, to step up to me and Will Ospreay. To put himself right in the conversation at the top of New Japan pro-Wrestling.
–He certainly set out to elevate himself.
Moxley: That takes guts man. I remember sitting in a bar with Fit Finlay many years ago, somewhere in Europe. We were drinking a couple of Guinesses, and he was telling me about his son wanting to get into pro-wrestling. He said he was tough, had heart, and a lot of potential. But he was sending him to the New Japan Dojo, to live in Tokyo and to come up the right way.
–And he went from that to smashing the belts in Oaska.
Moxley: Well, you might have some thoughts on whether him smashing those title belts in Osaka was the right way to do things, but I’m not gonna lie. I kinda admire it. It took balls. Now he’s gone from a cub to a lion with big teeth and claws. Now we’ll just find out whether he’s ready or not because it ain’t gonna be easy.
–You’ve been tied to the IWGP US Championship since your first night in NJPW. What were your thoughts when that belt was destroyed?
Moxley: There are a lot of belts in this business. A lot of championships, and a lot of guys walking round with all kinds of gold and silver on their shoulder or their waist. But a championship is what you make it. It’s how you represent yourself. The championship you wear is a representation of who you are. Your guts, your heart, your fighting spirit, and where you draw the line in the sand between you and your opponent. It says that you will give no quarter and no-one will take it from you.
–That’s what you put into the US title.
Moxley: I put a lot of heart and soul and hard work into that IWGP United States Championship, and I do not take kindly to David Finlay smashing it with a big stupid Mario Kart hammer.
Belts hold up your pants, but championships are a much different thing. The gall it took for Finlay to do what he did, I kind of admire it, but it really does piss me off.
If Ospreay wants to call Chicago chapter one then let’s just say it was chapter one
–The last time you wrestled Will Ospreay one on one, the result was a highly contested pinfall win in your favour. How do you feel about linking back to Ospreay in the Tokyo Dome?
Moxley: Well, it’s lucky that referee isn’t here anymore. If he had stayed, he should’ve been fired. Myself and Will Ospreay went to war all over Chicago in 2022. We gave all we had, blood sweat and tears and braincells. At the end of the day I had my hand raised, but I think we all know that Will had a little bit more in the tank. If Will wasn’t done, I wasn’t gonna be done. So, if Will wants to keep it going, if he just wants to call that chapter one, then let’s just say that was chapter one. Just the beginning, just the preamble. Will Ospreay and I have barely even begun.
–The winner of this three way at Wrestle Kingdom will be the recipient of the brand new IWGP Global Championship. What do you feel needs to happen for that title to be recognized on the world stage?
Moxley: This new title, this new championship, for it to be recognized on a world stage, then quite simply, Jon Moxley has to fight for it. And there’s no better place than Wrestle Kingdom, no better place than the Tokyo Dome for me to do what I do.
