WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi has offered a strong defense of AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, following news of a civil lawsuit filed against Moxley and AEW by production crew member Christopher Dispensa.
Speaking on his “Rikishi Fatu Off The Top” podcast, the former WWE star didn’t hold back when analyzing the incident, which took place during a cage match in May 2023. The lawsuit claims that Moxley acted “off-script” when he shoved Dispensa at ringside, resulting in injury.
Rikishi questioned why the crew member was even in that spot if he didn’t have a defined role.
“Why would he be around the ring if he didn’t have a damn camera or anything? What is he producing out there with nothing?” Rikishi said.
He then emphasized what he sees as an unwritten rule in wrestling regarding ringside safety.
“Obviously, he knows what the business is. He knows what the wrestlers do, in and out the ring, and if you see us coming, damn it, you better have your eyes ahead on the swivel and move the hell out the way.”
“Otherwise there might have been a spot or something that was going on because he was in the wrong place… That’s what happened when you’re in the way of wrestlers. Get the hell out the way. You’re gonna get hurt.”
Rikishi even went as far as saying he would have reacted just like Moxley:
“I’ll tell you what, I probably would have done the same thing.”
He wrapped up his comments by questioning the motivation behind the lawsuit, hinting that it may be financially driven:
“He better have a good lawyer because if he’s suing AEW… did he forget who his father is in AEW?…”
The case is still pending, but Moxley and AEW have yet to issue a public statement in response.
Stay with PWMania.com for updates on the ongoing lawsuit and reactions from around the wrestling world.
(h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription)
