Tony Khan says Moxley is a key AEW figure ahead of DEFY Portland

All Elite Wrestling founder Tony Khan called Jon Moxley one of the most important figures behind the scenes at AEW in a recent interview, praising the wrestler's consistency, leadership and work ethic as Moxley prepares to appear for an independent promotion in Portland later this month. Moxley is scheduled to wrestle for DEFY Wrestling at the Wonder Ballroom on October 24, a date that became available because AEW has no live Collision taping that weekend.

Khan said Moxley has been “one of the most important stars in AEW” since the promotion began in 2019 and added that backstage “everybody in AEW has so much respect for Jon Moxley.” Khan called him “a phenomenal wrestler, a phenomenal leader” and “a genius about pro wrestling.” The praise came as Moxley continues a run that has included multiple AEW World Championship reigns and a prominent role as leader of the Death Riders faction, which currently features Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, PAC and Daniel Garcia.

Moxley, who left WWE to join AEW in May 2019, has been a frequent presence on the company’s television programs and on the independent circuit. Event results show he faced Tomohiro Ishii on this week’s...