Last week, Will Ospreay vacated the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after sustaining a neck injury. While the Brit is recuperating, NJPW has to crown a new World Champion ahead of Dominion, their second largest show. With many names in consideration, does AEW’s Jon Moxley stand a chance?

Is Jon Moxley ready for New Japan’s biggest prize?

Currently, Jon Moxley holds the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. He last defended it against New Japan legend Yuji Nagata on Dynamite, taking his reign to 500+ days. He won it in 2019 from Lance Archer, and hasn’t come close to losing it. He’s defended it against the likes of Archer, KENTA, Juice Robinson and even Minoru Suzuki.

With his reign showing no signs of ending, is it time for New Japan to launch Moxley into the main event. His current position in AEW has slipped after losing the AEW Championship to Kenny Omega, but he will challenge for the Tag Team Championships at Double or Nothing. If he loses, it’ll be the perfect time for NJPW to get him back.

He doesn’t necessarily need to lose the US Title, but having Moxley hold both belts will only boost his value as a performer, and bring more eyes to AEW’s product, and New Japan’s. Jon Moxley is definitely the most popular foreign wrestler in Japan, and putting the main belt on him can do a world of good for the company.

With names like Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jay White, and of course Kazuchika Okada in contention, can Moxley out wrestle these legendary figures and become the third IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?

Double or Nothing beckons ahead of potential return to Japan

Before we potentially see Moxley return to Japan, he has a huge match at the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV. He teams up with Eddie Kingston to face the AEW World Tag Team Champions, the Young Bucks.

The heel Bucks have been on an absolute rampage, tearing their way through the division. However, they will take on two of AEW’s toughest male wrestlers in Kingston and Moxley. Last week, the challengers stole the champions’ expensive Dior boots after putting them to sleep. As seen on Being the Elite, this move has made the rivalry quite personal.

Will the Bucks steamroll another team on the way to a record-setting tag team run, or will Jon Moxley join Kenny Omega as the only superstar to hold both singles and tag team gold in AEW?

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