Tony Khan Compares Fans’ Misunderstanding of Jon Moxley and the Death Riders in AEW to Howard Hamlin in Better Call Saul

During an interview with Unlikely with Andrian Hernandez this week, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan discussed the fans’ misunderstanding of Jon Moxley and the Death Riders, comparing Moxley’s character arc to Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian) in Better Call Saul. Below are some highlights:

Tony Khan on Fans’ Misunderstanding of Jon Moxley and the Death Riders

“I think that Jon Moxley made it clear from the beginning he was going to try to lift AEW, and he succeeded. And what a great way to look back at the year and re-contextualize the whole thing. Do you like Better Call Saul? [Adrian says no] I’m sorry. No, it’s okay. I have a reference, but I don’t want to spoil it for you here. But I’ll just say this. Howard Hamlin, maybe misunderstood at the beginning, and the more you see, the more you understand about Howard Hamlin. You ever see Saved By the Bell: The College Years? [Adrian: No.] Really? Okay. Well, it’s Professor Lasky plays Howard Hamlin. It’s a great reference. And I see I’ve popped I popped the crew with that. And so I would say that people maybe didn’t see what he was trying with his intentions, but everything he said he would do, he accomplished. And then at the end of the year, it meant so much to me and so many people around the locker room to see the fans embrace Mox again like that. “Mox has been with us since the very first show right here in Las Vegas. His arrival was a huge part of the beginning of AEW. He’s been with us since the very first show, since the very first Dynamite. He comes to all the shows. He’s such a huge part of what we do. And we’re very blessed to have John Moxley in AEW. And throughout the year, the anticipation for somebody to take him down grew and grew and grew and grew.”

On Moxley Coming Up With the Idea to Keep the AEW World Title in a Briefcase

“And that was John’s idea. It was brilliant. I talk to Jon a lot, and I love Jon so much, and he’s one of the most brilliant people and I’m very grateful that he came into our lives, and that was when I talked to him about the things that I wanted to do. That was something when we were brainstorming how this would all go. That was something he brought up. He had some brilliant ideas for the presentation of it. I think in hindsight that were brilliant ideas including the briefcase and Marina’s involvement because I had brought up you know Claudio [Castagnoli] and [Wheeler] Yuta already being there but pack I thought could maybe be great, and we talked and I remember talking to John for like three hours before All In London last two I guess now it is weird 2024 yeah we’re in 2026 now so 2024 All In London I remember talking to Jon for like three hours and just some brilliant things and to think how far he was able to take it and his resolution I’m so proud of what AEW accomplished in 2025, and Jon Moxley is a huge, huge part of it, and that’s why Sports Illustrated has voted Hangman Page versus Jon Moxley, and that great moment we talked about All In Texas getting the belt out of the briefcase, where Hangman did it, and Hangman accomplished it. He pulled it off, and now to have you know that be recognized as the top rivalry of the year and and so many awards that will be taken home tonight, 10 awards tonight at the Sports Illustrated Awards. I think it’s really a great accomplishment, but also, I think that when you look back at the year, the Death Riders have been so important, and they continue to be going into 2026. And one thing that’s been consistent about AEW from the very beginning is Jon Moxley is a huge, huge part of this promotion.”

Despite being one of the most hated individuals and champions in AEW last year, Jon Moxley went on an underdog run during the Continental Classic Tournament. He ultimately won the finals of the tournament, beating 2024’s tournament winner, Kazuchika Okada, at AEW Worlds End last month. Moxley received a huge ovation from fans after the win, seemingly turning babyface.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.