Jon Moxley, the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, has been making waves in New Japan Pro-Wrestling with his incredible performances. The AEW star won the IWGP World Title by defeating Tetsuya Naito at NJPW Windy City Riot last month and has since defended his title twice against Powerhouse Hobbs and Ren Narita.
However, his recent match against Narita has sparked controversy due to his use of the Curb Stomp, a move made famous by Seth Rollins, his former partner in WWE and the stable Shield.
The Curb Stomp, a move notorious for its potential to cause concussions and other injuries, has been a subject of debate in the wrestling world. WWE even banned the move for a while, eventually rebranding it as The Stomp. Moxley’s use of the move has raised questions about whether he is trying to send a message to Rollins, who is currently recovering from knee surgery after losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania XL.
Moxley has been using the Curb Stomp for a while now, including a notable instance during a tag team match on a Wrestling Revolver show in August 2022. This latest use of the move has sparked speculation about whether Rollins will respond to Moxley’s antics. The tension between the two wrestlers is palpable, especially given their shared history as partners in Shield.
Meanwhile, Moxley is set to face Shota Umino, his “student” and former tag team partner, for the IWGP World Title at NJPW Resurgence on May 11, 2024.
The event, to be held at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, promises to be an exciting encounter between two wrestlers who share mutual respect and camaraderie. Umino, who was taken under Moxley’s tutelage after their match at Dominion 6.9 in June 2019, will be looking to pull off an upset against the reigning champion.
As the big match approaches, all eyes will be on Moxley to see if he uses the Curb Stomp again, and whether Rollins will respond to his former partner’s provocations. One thing is certain – the NJPW Resurgence main event promises to be an unforgettable encounter between two wrestling titans. Will Moxley retain his title, or will Umino pull off a stunning upset? Only time will tell.