Bully Ray says he’d put hands on Jon Moxley if given the chance, calling the AEW Continental Champion a “fraud” during a recent edition of Busted Open Radio.
The WWE Hall of Famer aimed his criticism at the Death Riders, the stable that has anchored AEW’s main event scene for much of the past two years. He argued the group has done nothing for the promotion beyond serving Moxley’s own creative wishlist.
“The Death Riders have not helped AEW in any way, shape, or form,” Bully said. “The Death Riders are Jon Moxley playing out his pro wrestling fantasies because he’s got Tony [Khan’s] ear. Because he wants to be Terry Funk? I would kick the s**t out of Jon Moxley.”
The veteran conceded that fellow Death Rider Claudio Castagnoli would be a tougher physical proposition. Moxley got no such courtesy.
“But Moxley? I’d beat the living s**t out of him. Fraud.”
Bully’s frustration is rooted in booking philosophy rather than personal grudge. He pointed to AEW’s ongoing Will Ospreay and MJF angle as a chance to fold the Death Riders into the main event picture the right way, by drawing money rather than chasing internet reactions.
“Hopefully, they book to put asses in seats while incorporating The Death Riders into this main event match, and not just for what they want to see,” he said. “Too many times, I’ve seen wrestlers booked for what they want to see and what they think social media will pop for. The only thing you want to book for is for people to put their hand into their pocket and pay money to sit in a seat. That’s the goal, that’s the business of The Business.”
The timing stings for the faction. On last Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, the reunited Brodido tandem of Brody King and Bandido beat Moxley and Daniel Garcia, building toward Moxley’s next title defense. Moxley is scheduled to put the AEW Continental Championship on the line against Bandido at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026.