I'm curious of your thoughts.
How did moxley recruit each member of the death riders ans how does it translate to his relationship with them?
Danny: He was lured into joining. He had history with Moxley. Mox offered him advice and the opportunity to grow. Moxley not only saw him as a talent, but as someone Bryan always wanted and could never have, so it was a double prize. And Danny was lost... he played hard to get, but we all knew sooner or later he was going to cave in. Their relationship is the easiest one in the group, because Danny admires him and aspires to be like him. To Mox, he is one of his young boys. But I find it interesting how he treats him differently than he treats Yuta. I remember a few weeks ago when they said, "Moxley is going to be disappointed," because Danny danced during a match, and the time Mox was using him to teach Yuta how to get out of the Mística.
Yuta: The newborn baby deer. He was manipulated into joining. They emotionally gaslighted him because Bryan was going to retire and they all knew it. He was Trios Champion with Claudio and PAC, so he felt he owed them loyalty. He didn’t want to do it. And they forced him to not only betray Bryan, but to hurt him, to suffocate him with the bag. They broke him and used the pieces to build what they wanted. But Moxley loves him in his own way. He supports him, he is his number one fan, he kisses him all the time, he is so affectionate with him... and he is never going to let him go. He will do whatever he can, but he will never let him leave. Since the BCC days we suspected it, but now we can confirm it.
PAC: This is an interesting one because their relationship is the least explored. They are so respectful with each other. They truly feel like the definition of "teammates." I think he joined because he saw Claudio and Marina, and he knew it was a good idea. But I believe he only sees them as a convenient arrangement, a purely business one. It only makes sense as long as it benefits him. At the same time, I do think he genuinely believes in the philosophy of "making AEW better" through hard work and getting rid of all the egos. He doesn't have time for people who don't take wrestling as seriously as he and Mox do.
Marina: Mox saw the potential in her. He saw the hard work and, especially, he saw the excitement to improve and become the best version of herself, something he values greatly. The thing with Marina is that she is loyal to Mox and everything he stands for. She will follow him because she genuinely believes in him as a leader. I will never forget how sad and worried she was when Moxley was on his losing streak. Honestly, she is the member who would shock me the most if she ever left.
Claudio: Oh, the right hand man. They are IT for each other. They have been rivals, they have been friends, they are allies, they are each other’s life partner. I don’t think Claudio needed much convincing to join him in the Death Riders. I think Moxley just told him about the idea and, even though he had doubts at first because of Bryan, they’ve always shared a connection, and he would do ANYTHING for Mox. And Mox would do the same for him. Have you seen the way Jon looks at him? The purest relationship in the stable.
