Babyface Moxley vs. Heel Punk is That Feud

[Teemu]

I think my two favorite things about AEW are Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston. Both have similar qualities about them insofar as representing something real, having a legitimate can't F with this guy quality about them. They carry themselves as if this is real. Both cut great promos and are just relatable.

This is mostly about Moxley, though.

Moxley, prior to going to rehab, cut this one backstage promo about how he was the one carrying AEW through dark times, before it was cool to be in AEW, and now everyone is lining up to be here.

It didn't lead to anything then, but I feel like this would be the impetus for a pretty kickass feud between Moxley and a heel CM Punk.

So, Punk gets the title, remains a babyface. But, along the way, he starts to show sides of being a jerk. The story would be that his mask is falling off; he was always a jerk, he just used AEW, he doesn't care about the fans or AEW, he just wanted to make money and be the conquering hero for his own narcissistic purposes. This is made kinda obvious, but not outright stated. Until Moxley calls him out on it.

Now, usually in wrestling, it's the heel that is the one in the right, but I would like to see something different, and have it be Moxley who is correct about Punk. You could have Moxley bring up the fact that he came to AEW before it was cool, you came here once the red carpet was rolled out for you, and all that. This is usually heel stuff in wrestling (the heel being justified and making good points) but this time, it could serve as a way of exposing Punk's true nature. I think it'd be nice to have a babyface in the right for once.

Then you could have Punk be a delusional heel who - well, he doesn't outright say it, but he alludes to the fact that the Shield was Punk's idea, the Shield worked with Punk, and he put them on the map, and stuff like this. He'd be wrong, but that's why he'd be a delusional heel.

I just feel like Moxley is kinda the actual, legit version of the character Punk plays. If that makes any sense. Moxley is your honest everyman type. He's made mistakes. He hasn't whined about them in a podcast, he's owned up to them. And he keeps on rolling. Keeps his nose to the pavement and what comes, comes. Punk maintains a facade of being the voice of the voiceless, but whereas Moxley legitimately represents the hard working real person, Punk deep down wants to be the wrestling superstar hero, and considers himself above everyone else, including the fans.

I think it's a fascinating dynamic. And add on top of it the fact that I still believe Moxley is the most valuable asset they have; he has that Stone Cold type relatibility, he cuts amazing promos - those backstage promos prior to his rehab were really cool and felt real - and works like a badass in the ring. Now, he's not some in ring wizard, but I hold to the belief that it doesn't even matter in mainstream North American wrestling, as long as your style fits your character, and said character has fans engaged. You just believe Moxley, and you want to root for him. A lot of guys are better as heels, but Moxley I view as an absolute babyface. In today's era especially.

I also feel that Punk vs. Kingston had similar elements, and it's been my favorite thing in AEW thus far. Too bad it was curt short.

A babyface Moxley exposing a disingenuous, hypocritical, fake heel CM Punk would have me glued to the TV.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

I actually think you can do this exact same feud with Eddie Kingston in place of Mox, because Eddie is the only one who didn't like him from the jump, and they're STILL taking shots at one another.

Heel Punk vs Face Eddie for the belt in New York is a god tier type of match in the reception it could get... and Khan said he plans to run Arthur Asha again this year.

[The Ichi]

I think Mox is going heel before Punk. It's a money feud either way.

[Teemu]

May 13, 2022 2:37:00 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

I actually think you can do this exact same feud with Eddie Kingston in place of Mox, because Eddie is the only one who didn't like him from the jump, and they're STILL taking shots at one another.

Heel Punk vs Face Eddie for the belt in New York is a god tier type of match in the reception it could get... and Khan said he plans to run Arthur Asha again this year.

Yea, you really could do the same thing with Kingston. I chose Moxley because he has more mainstream name value than Kingston, but as far as entertainment value goes, yea, Kingston would deliver just as well. Not right away, though: you should squeeze as much juice as possible from babyface Punk as champion. And the turn happens later on. Although I'm not even convinced Page is losing the title at the PPV, I would even venture to guess he's retaining.

[Tea & Crumpets]

You could also use it as a way to bring Omega back as a face when he's rehabbed up. Or even Jericho if you wanted to give him one last face swan song.
It's an example of obvious but satisfying booking there on the table for them and you could slot a number of guys into that position depending on the route you wanted going forwards.
Fully agree on wanting actually righteous babyfaces back in wrestling.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

I am completely down for this feud provided Mox loses it.

If you swap Mox for Kingston, Kingston better win it. And in New York, too