AEW star Jon Moxley formed the Death Riders last year, and the group quickly became a dominant force in the promotion. For months, Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, and Wheeler Yuta strongly protected The Purveyor of Violence during his AEW World Championship reign. However, things have started to unravel since The One True King lost his title to Adam Page.
While the addition of Daniel Garcia has certainly made the faction stronger, Jon Moxley doesn’t seem to be the same person he was a year ago. His recent loss to Darby Allin at WrestleDream appears to have weakened him further. In Moxley’s past two matches on Dynamite against Kyle O’Reilly, he failed to secure a victory—losing one bout by disqualification and the other by double countout.
Following their rematch on Fright Night Dynamite, The Conglomeration challenged the Death Riders to a Blood and Guts match scheduled in just two weeks. Jon Moxley’s recent string of losses hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Death Riders, and there is speculation that they might consider kicking him out, especially if they lose at the upcoming special event.
If the eviction does happen at Blood and Guts, who could replace Moxley as the leader of the Death Riders? Here’s a look at some potential candidates who might step up and take control of the faction.
### #3. Marina Shafir
Marina Shafir was the first member introduced to fans after Jon Moxley and has been his closest ally, accompanying him to nearly every match. She might also have unique insight into The One True King’s mind games, making her an ideal candidate to lead the Death Riders.
Shafir could even bring her husband, Roderick Strong, into the group to strengthen their ranks. She has repeatedly proven to be as intense and relentless as Moxley himself, which could help maintain the faction’s dominant presence.
### #2. Darby Allin
Besides Hangman Page, Darby Allin is one of the few who has managed to dominate Jon Moxley. Their story began last year and could culminate at Blood and Guts, with Darby potentially leading the Death Riders after defeating Moxley.
Darby has hinted at joining the faction during the buildup to their I Quit match at WrestleDream, expressing interest in joining the Death Riders for the right reasons despite his dislike for Moxley’s methods.
Having already proven his dominance over Moxley, Darby Allin could provide fresh leadership and energy to the faction if The One True King is removed from the equation.
### #1. Claudio Castagnoli
The Swiss Superman has been a powerful and loyal member of the faction. However, after several failed leadership attempts by Moxley, Claudio might decide to seize control of the Death Riders himself.
Claudio is not only immensely strong but also intimately familiar with Moxley, including his weaknesses. Elevating Castagnoli to the top of the faction could unlock his full potential and position him as the next main event star in AEW, provided he is booked correctly.
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With Blood and Guts just two weeks away, it will be fascinating to see how this storyline unfolds. Will Jon Moxley retain his spot as the leader of the Death Riders, or will one of these contenders rise up and take charge? Fans eagerly await the next chapter in this compelling saga.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/3-stars-who-should-replace-jon-moxley-leader-death-riders-aew