What do you think?
Rate this book
MOX
A vivid trip through the mind of the top professional wrestler in the business—a nobody from nowhere who achieved his ambitions and walked away with the gold and the girl of his dreams.Ride alongside Jon Moxley as he retraces some of the highways traveled on his remarkable journey. Revel in the never-before-told stories about his early life in Cincinnati, Ohio; the gritty independent wrestling scene where he cut his teeth; the complicated corporate landscape of the WWE where he bucked against authority; and the rebellious upstart AEW, where he won the championship in 2020 and was finally free to achieve the vision of the wrestler he’d always wanted to be. With plenty of pitstops and revelatory insights, including grisly ultraviolent encounters, crazy characters who became lifelong friends, and his unforgettable matches in Japan, MOX is the riveting account of the life of a brawler. It is a tale written in blood and soaked in debauchery, with a good dose of wisdom accumulated along the way. More than a backstage pass into the arena, MOX is a ticket into the ring. Once inside, you’ll never look at pro wrestling the same again.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2021
370 people are currently reading
1692 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 511 reviews
August 16, 2023
I love Pro Wrestling.
I've had people ask me "How can someone who loves Hamlet and Moby-Dick appreciate wrestling?" To which I say "Eat a big back of fetid cat testicles."
But if I'm being polite I'll say "have you ever read Hamlet and Moby-Dick?"
They're rabid, frothing, lunacy.
They're examples of mad scientists throwing whatever they can into the pot just to see what has a chemical reaction. And they celebrate storytelling above everything else.
Pro wrestling is the same.
I've spent most of my life utterly enthralled by the weird and the bizarre. From Godzilla to horror movies, theatre of the absurd, slow-burn thoughtful art pieces, musicals, experimental narrative, spooky science books, role-playing games, philosophy, mythology, comic books, crazy martial arts and action films, heavy metal music, over the top animation and of course wrestling. I see these interests existing on a spectrum. You just gotta step-back to appreciate the pattern.
So of course I love to read autobiographies by wrestlers.
A lot of fans are very critical of professional wrestling autobiographies. They want just the facts. They say that due to the nature of the sport you never really know how much of what you're reading is real and how much of it is performance. You gotta accept that it's probably a little bit of both or else you're a dreaded 'mark' (which is carnie talk for someone who's not on the inside).
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Get close and I'll whisper it in your ear ASMR style.
"I. Don't. Care."
I don't want to be 'on the inside'. I don't want to be 'one of the boys'. I want to believe in pro wrestling. All of it. Not just the action, but the characters, everything. I love the drama. I love the magic. I love the show. I love how it blurs the lines between what is real and what isn't. And I love storytelling.
All the best wrestlers are great storytellers. All of them. In very different ways.
And Jon Moxley is a born storyteller.
He might disagree with that.
He says he's shy in a lot of circumstances. And I bet he is. He says he likes to listen more than talk. And I bet that's true too.
But great storytellers aren't the same as extroverts.
Storytelling isn't about being social. It's about expressing yourself. And a lot of introverts and people who are shy make great storytellers because they spend a lot of time in self-reflection. They study everything around them and their own reactions to it. From their circumstances to their own identity and their own character and their own emotions.
They feel everything deeply and differently.
Not just love, pain or grief, but time and nature. They try to figure it all out and often fail or get overwhelmed. It's part of what keeps them introverted. The sheer enormity of the task of existing.
For some people the world can be too much to handle in the moment. Too large. Too loud. Too busy. It can take time for them to digest. So when people like that are pushed too fast to make snap-decisions socially they can come off as distant, awkward, weird, stand-off-ish, anti-social or even offensive.
But when they have time, when they have a little quiet and reflection they become poets.
Moxley isn't quite a poet, but when he's talking about Point Break and creating the perfect sandwich he gets so damn close to a Herman Melville or an Irving Layton, that I say "eh, fuck it, good enough".
MOX is an autobiography written by Jon Moxley, regarding his love affair and struggles with his creative passion: Pro Wrestling. Moxley takes you on a whirlwind tour of his psyche, dumping everything from romance tips to insights on developing as a talent, to training in MMA, creative differences with Vince McMahon, going to Japan, and blood-curdling tales of intense performances.
One part of this book talks about being driven to a 'tournament of death'. It sounds like a set-up to a horror movie or a Mortal Kombat game more than a wrestling event.
The tournament of death is a series of matches held on a private property away from the rules and regulations of civility. Y'know that stuff that keeps you from getting killed (and FYI somebody does die, for real).
On this property away from the prying regulations of modern society the wrestlers and promoters involved create a sort of carnival freak show of blood and violence. They get so close to the edge several of the performers leave the ring looking like they belong on the cover of an 1980s GOREZONE magazine.
Some people write Splatterpunk, these guys lived it.
Chas. Balun would be proud.
Once Moxley gets to this tournament he's snorting lines of cocaine and then getting in the ring with a six foot, four inch, 271 pound "sweetheart" named Brain Damage who hits so hard that he can turn your face into a Jackson Pollock painting.
To say this match goes over the top is understating it quite a deal. After listening to the audio-book (which is read by Moxley himself and I highly recommend it) I had to look up the actual fight and watch it. And sure enough half-way through the carnage Brain Damage decides to attack Moxley with what looks like a cordless drywall cutter.
I knew exactly what was coming next and my jaw was still on the floor. I could only imagine what everybody at the show was thinking when it actually happened.
Moxley assures us that he wasn't in real danger (because if he was, well, he'd be DEAD), but I'd have some serious creative differences with anybody trying to stick an electric knife into my face. I don't care how much of a sweetheart or a cuddle-dumping they were in real life.
Meanwhile in previous chapters of this book, Moxley has a sweet and hilarious moment where he talks about wanting to surprise his wife by giving her a motor-scooter.
Moxley is a man of emotional and artistic extremes, and if he's not pushing himself to those extremes I think he feels like he's not sincerely expressing himself. And that is true in the ring, and it is equally true in this book. Where the disjointed narrative and timeline (and tangents into favourite movies and music) crafts a sort of hallucinogenic roller-coaster. The twists and turns are so harsh and surreal, it feels like you're having an out of body experience. You're not reading about a guy's life, so much as you're being dumped through his memories. You're falling through the floors, going from watching him getting attacked by bullies as a kid to attacking other wrestlers with a fork while wearing a scary old man mask to helping deliver boxes of cereal to a family in need.
It's like something that you'd expect from reading Naked Lunch more than a sports autobiography.
But that's why I love this book.
Moxley has taken his character and personality and put it down here in a story that blends together mediums, styles, journals, thoughts and performances into a bloody bowl of mashed potatoes.
He starts the whole book questioning his own identity. The rest of the book is dedicated to answering that question, or at least understanding that question. He does this by struggling with and celebrating the art he enjoys. And the love and the life he's made for himself. And the philosophy of his father, acts of kindness, cruelty and charity. And mourning friends that passed away far too soon.
Mox is about a man staring into the extremes of his own identity, the creative side, the destructive side, the villainous side, the vulnerable side. And not blinking.
Never blinking.
The sheer tenacity of this performance is either crazy, inspiring or delusional. Or all of the above.
One thing is for certain, even if he's not real, I believe in Jon Moxley.
I've had people ask me "How can someone who loves Hamlet and Moby-Dick appreciate wrestling?" To which I say "Eat a big back of fetid cat testicles."
But if I'm being polite I'll say "have you ever read Hamlet and Moby-Dick?"
They're rabid, frothing, lunacy.
They're examples of mad scientists throwing whatever they can into the pot just to see what has a chemical reaction. And they celebrate storytelling above everything else.
Pro wrestling is the same.
I've spent most of my life utterly enthralled by the weird and the bizarre. From Godzilla to horror movies, theatre of the absurd, slow-burn thoughtful art pieces, musicals, experimental narrative, spooky science books, role-playing games, philosophy, mythology, comic books, crazy martial arts and action films, heavy metal music, over the top animation and of course wrestling. I see these interests existing on a spectrum. You just gotta step-back to appreciate the pattern.
So of course I love to read autobiographies by wrestlers.
A lot of fans are very critical of professional wrestling autobiographies. They want just the facts. They say that due to the nature of the sport you never really know how much of what you're reading is real and how much of it is performance. You gotta accept that it's probably a little bit of both or else you're a dreaded 'mark' (which is carnie talk for someone who's not on the inside).
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Get close and I'll whisper it in your ear ASMR style.
"I. Don't. Care."
I don't want to be 'on the inside'. I don't want to be 'one of the boys'. I want to believe in pro wrestling. All of it. Not just the action, but the characters, everything. I love the drama. I love the magic. I love the show. I love how it blurs the lines between what is real and what isn't. And I love storytelling.
All the best wrestlers are great storytellers. All of them. In very different ways.
And Jon Moxley is a born storyteller.
He might disagree with that.
He says he's shy in a lot of circumstances. And I bet he is. He says he likes to listen more than talk. And I bet that's true too.
But great storytellers aren't the same as extroverts.
Storytelling isn't about being social. It's about expressing yourself. And a lot of introverts and people who are shy make great storytellers because they spend a lot of time in self-reflection. They study everything around them and their own reactions to it. From their circumstances to their own identity and their own character and their own emotions.
They feel everything deeply and differently.
Not just love, pain or grief, but time and nature. They try to figure it all out and often fail or get overwhelmed. It's part of what keeps them introverted. The sheer enormity of the task of existing.
For some people the world can be too much to handle in the moment. Too large. Too loud. Too busy. It can take time for them to digest. So when people like that are pushed too fast to make snap-decisions socially they can come off as distant, awkward, weird, stand-off-ish, anti-social or even offensive.
But when they have time, when they have a little quiet and reflection they become poets.
Moxley isn't quite a poet, but when he's talking about Point Break and creating the perfect sandwich he gets so damn close to a Herman Melville or an Irving Layton, that I say "eh, fuck it, good enough".
MOX is an autobiography written by Jon Moxley, regarding his love affair and struggles with his creative passion: Pro Wrestling. Moxley takes you on a whirlwind tour of his psyche, dumping everything from romance tips to insights on developing as a talent, to training in MMA, creative differences with Vince McMahon, going to Japan, and blood-curdling tales of intense performances.
One part of this book talks about being driven to a 'tournament of death'. It sounds like a set-up to a horror movie or a Mortal Kombat game more than a wrestling event.
The tournament of death is a series of matches held on a private property away from the rules and regulations of civility. Y'know that stuff that keeps you from getting killed (and FYI somebody does die, for real).
On this property away from the prying regulations of modern society the wrestlers and promoters involved create a sort of carnival freak show of blood and violence. They get so close to the edge several of the performers leave the ring looking like they belong on the cover of an 1980s GOREZONE magazine.
Some people write Splatterpunk, these guys lived it.
Chas. Balun would be proud.
Once Moxley gets to this tournament he's snorting lines of cocaine and then getting in the ring with a six foot, four inch, 271 pound "sweetheart" named Brain Damage who hits so hard that he can turn your face into a Jackson Pollock painting.
To say this match goes over the top is understating it quite a deal. After listening to the audio-book (which is read by Moxley himself and I highly recommend it) I had to look up the actual fight and watch it. And sure enough half-way through the carnage Brain Damage decides to attack Moxley with what looks like a cordless drywall cutter.
I knew exactly what was coming next and my jaw was still on the floor. I could only imagine what everybody at the show was thinking when it actually happened.
Moxley assures us that he wasn't in real danger (because if he was, well, he'd be DEAD), but I'd have some serious creative differences with anybody trying to stick an electric knife into my face. I don't care how much of a sweetheart or a cuddle-dumping they were in real life.
Meanwhile in previous chapters of this book, Moxley has a sweet and hilarious moment where he talks about wanting to surprise his wife by giving her a motor-scooter.
Moxley is a man of emotional and artistic extremes, and if he's not pushing himself to those extremes I think he feels like he's not sincerely expressing himself. And that is true in the ring, and it is equally true in this book. Where the disjointed narrative and timeline (and tangents into favourite movies and music) crafts a sort of hallucinogenic roller-coaster. The twists and turns are so harsh and surreal, it feels like you're having an out of body experience. You're not reading about a guy's life, so much as you're being dumped through his memories. You're falling through the floors, going from watching him getting attacked by bullies as a kid to attacking other wrestlers with a fork while wearing a scary old man mask to helping deliver boxes of cereal to a family in need.
It's like something that you'd expect from reading Naked Lunch more than a sports autobiography.
But that's why I love this book.
Moxley has taken his character and personality and put it down here in a story that blends together mediums, styles, journals, thoughts and performances into a bloody bowl of mashed potatoes.
He starts the whole book questioning his own identity. The rest of the book is dedicated to answering that question, or at least understanding that question. He does this by struggling with and celebrating the art he enjoys. And the love and the life he's made for himself. And the philosophy of his father, acts of kindness, cruelty and charity. And mourning friends that passed away far too soon.
Mox is about a man staring into the extremes of his own identity, the creative side, the destructive side, the villainous side, the vulnerable side. And not blinking.
Never blinking.
The sheer tenacity of this performance is either crazy, inspiring or delusional. Or all of the above.
One thing is for certain, even if he's not real, I believe in Jon Moxley.
October 21, 2021
You can hear his voice in every word. Either a great argument against ghostwriting, or a great example of ghostwriting. It's wrestling. You'll never really know.
November 5, 2021
The two things you need to know about me for this review:
1) I don't read very much nonfiction, especially not biographies. I'm mainly a fiction reader, with a lean towards the speculative.
2) I fucking love pro wrestling.
In theory, this book is the hottest of hot messes. There's nothing even approaching linear to this narrative. There are a lot, and I do mean A LOT, of ellipses. There are more tangents than a college level math class. The book has SIDEBARS, for fuck's sake, that don't even relate to anything else going on around them!
But here's the thing: It works. Look, I busted out highlighters to annotate this book, okay.
Jon Moxley is a storyteller, and he's damn good at it. This book reads like you're sitting down with Mox, hanging by a big ass bonfire, swapping stories. At times it is hilarious, it is anger-inducing, it is heartbreaking, it is joyful, and it is beautiful. There is vulnerability here, and the lack of a linear timeline only heightens that. Like when someone's really opening up to you, and they suddenly hard cut to a different story because it's getting too real...but they always come back, and dive in a little deeper, and show a little more.
This book is something really special. I am so glad to have read it.
1) I don't read very much nonfiction, especially not biographies. I'm mainly a fiction reader, with a lean towards the speculative.
2) I fucking love pro wrestling.
In theory, this book is the hottest of hot messes. There's nothing even approaching linear to this narrative. There are a lot, and I do mean A LOT, of ellipses. There are more tangents than a college level math class. The book has SIDEBARS, for fuck's sake, that don't even relate to anything else going on around them!
But here's the thing: It works. Look, I busted out highlighters to annotate this book, okay.
Jon Moxley is a storyteller, and he's damn good at it. This book reads like you're sitting down with Mox, hanging by a big ass bonfire, swapping stories. At times it is hilarious, it is anger-inducing, it is heartbreaking, it is joyful, and it is beautiful. There is vulnerability here, and the lack of a linear timeline only heightens that. Like when someone's really opening up to you, and they suddenly hard cut to a different story because it's getting too real...but they always come back, and dive in a little deeper, and show a little more.
This book is something really special. I am so glad to have read it.
October 23, 2021
Hey! I received this book weeks before its release date! First time's that ever happened to me from pre-ordering something!
Jon Moxley is one of my favorite wrestlers. I first saw him at a DGUSA show,the one where he almost cut his nipple off. He was the only Shield guy I was familiar with when they debuted in WWE in 2012. He was the off-the-chain singles guy of the group while Rollins and Reigns were the tag team. He was definitely The Shield's best talker. A couple of years after The Shield's disbandment Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley's name in WWE) won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and had an excellent run with it as the face of SmackDown after the 2016 brand split. That, to me, was WWE's last decent year. Jon Moxley, frustrated with WWE creative, quit in early 2019 and joined the new company AEW and debuted at the end of their very first show which is one of my favorite wrestling moments of all time. Jon Moxley is killing it now, free to do wrestling the way he wants and where he wants.
Amidst this new found freedom Jon Moxley decided to write a book much in the same way that he likes to do his wrestling promos: without any help whatsoever. There is no doubt that Moxley wrote this book himself. If you've ever heard him in a podcast you will know that the book is written in his voice.
There is no chronology in Mox. Moxley chose the most important moments in his life, wrote about them in a stream-of-consciousness manner, then placed the chapters in a more-or-less random order. Every now and then he'll have a mini-chapter where he talks about a favorite album (Spin It Up) or movie (Flick Pick). He also includes several jokes told to him by Claudio. I wish he would have included chapters on his favorite books because he said he was a reader on his wife Renee's podcast (interesting photo of her is included in this book).
Unfortunately, while Jon Moxley is a very good storyteller and his stories are interesting, I would not consider Mox one of the best wrestling books of all time. It does not contain enough details and/or humor like the best of the best of wrestling literature: Chris Jericho's first two books, Bret Hart's Hitman, or Mick Foley's Have a Nice Day.
Jon Moxley is one of my favorite wrestlers. I first saw him at a DGUSA show,the one where he almost cut his nipple off. He was the only Shield guy I was familiar with when they debuted in WWE in 2012. He was the off-the-chain singles guy of the group while Rollins and Reigns were the tag team. He was definitely The Shield's best talker. A couple of years after The Shield's disbandment Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley's name in WWE) won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and had an excellent run with it as the face of SmackDown after the 2016 brand split. That, to me, was WWE's last decent year. Jon Moxley, frustrated with WWE creative, quit in early 2019 and joined the new company AEW and debuted at the end of their very first show which is one of my favorite wrestling moments of all time. Jon Moxley is killing it now, free to do wrestling the way he wants and where he wants.
Amidst this new found freedom Jon Moxley decided to write a book much in the same way that he likes to do his wrestling promos: without any help whatsoever. There is no doubt that Moxley wrote this book himself. If you've ever heard him in a podcast you will know that the book is written in his voice.
There is no chronology in Mox. Moxley chose the most important moments in his life, wrote about them in a stream-of-consciousness manner, then placed the chapters in a more-or-less random order. Every now and then he'll have a mini-chapter where he talks about a favorite album (Spin It Up) or movie (Flick Pick). He also includes several jokes told to him by Claudio. I wish he would have included chapters on his favorite books because he said he was a reader on his wife Renee's podcast (interesting photo of her is included in this book).
Unfortunately, while Jon Moxley is a very good storyteller and his stories are interesting, I would not consider Mox one of the best wrestling books of all time. It does not contain enough details and/or humor like the best of the best of wrestling literature: Chris Jericho's first two books, Bret Hart's Hitman, or Mick Foley's Have a Nice Day.
June 30, 2022
A good book. For me Mox was a sort of forgotten member of the Shield. It was not until I saw his incarnation in AEW that I started to get more into his characters. I admit I take a break from wrestling so I did miss some of his stuff I WWE.
The great think about thus book is when Mox talk about the moments leading up to his matches. The psychology and emotions running through him. I can almost feel him getting into character. It is almost an adrenaline injection through the pages. The is a lot of kayfabe in this book to the point that Jon does not even give his last name. He almost stays in character in the whole book.
As much sucess he has had in the WWE he has had to deal with a lot of frustration and politics. This book does not ho into all the details but does mention some. I have always preferred the more outcast characters probobly what drew me to WCW, TNA NEW JAPAN and now AEW. I think having an alternative organisation is great gir yhe wrestler it give them somewhere else to go and thrive apart from WWE. Also I think having the competition benefits the WWE as well.
The only thing I did not like about this book is the format. The dates snd moment are all over the place. I prefer a more linear timeline. The the does an awesome or relaxing the moments. Every chapters is written like a Mox off the cuff promo, fueled by rage, piss and vinegar.
The great think about thus book is when Mox talk about the moments leading up to his matches. The psychology and emotions running through him. I can almost feel him getting into character. It is almost an adrenaline injection through the pages. The is a lot of kayfabe in this book to the point that Jon does not even give his last name. He almost stays in character in the whole book.
As much sucess he has had in the WWE he has had to deal with a lot of frustration and politics. This book does not ho into all the details but does mention some. I have always preferred the more outcast characters probobly what drew me to WCW, TNA NEW JAPAN and now AEW. I think having an alternative organisation is great gir yhe wrestler it give them somewhere else to go and thrive apart from WWE. Also I think having the competition benefits the WWE as well.
The only thing I did not like about this book is the format. The dates snd moment are all over the place. I prefer a more linear timeline. The the does an awesome or relaxing the moments. Every chapters is written like a Mox off the cuff promo, fueled by rage, piss and vinegar.
November 22, 2021
This book was kind of a hot mess. Many have commented that it sounds like Mox is talking straight to you, complete with wild tangents, and that is true, but this is not necessarily a good thing for a book.
Someone else commented that it reads like a teen’s post on reddit, and I agree wholeheartedly. There are spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes everywhere you look. For some reason he uses “F’n” and “MFer” instead of the full words most of the time, but not consistently. Mox doesn’t seem to believe in any punctuation between speech marks unless it’s an exclamation or question mark. Chapter two is a multi-page single paragraph.
Basically, what I’m saying is, this book badly needs a competent editor. Sometimes I (uppercase i) or l (lowercase L) are substituted for each other or the number 1, which makes me wonder if the physical book is an easier read and the ebook is a terrible scan that wasn’t checked particularly well before being approved. It doesn’t explain the inconsistent approach to swearing, but for all I know chapter two is formatted into clean, readable paragraphs, and the missing punctuation that ticked me off is actually present in the real book. (Though in this day and age, why would they scan in a book when Mox notes that he wrote it on Reneé’s Mac?)
MOX tells an interesting story, I loved the bits about CZW, (being one of the people who, after seeing Dean Ambrose on WWE for the first time, went back to his indie days to see what everyone was raving about), and getting backstage insight into WWE is always interesting. I just wish the structure was a little more coherent. I didn’t read this all in one sitting, so jumping around the timeline endlessly made me keep forgetting what backstory we’d found out eight chapters ago that was relevant now in this chapter, because there had been a bunch of other side tangents.
I personally prefer a more linear autobiography. While this was interesting, and clearly written by Mox or the most talented ghost-writer in the world (grammar aside), it doesn’t have that thing that will make me re-read it. It wasn’t worth the very high price tag either. It was an interesting read, but a bit of editing would have made it far more enjoyable. I wasn’t a huge fan of reading about the matches “in character”. The reason I read these autobiographies is to peek behind the curtain, and to read about it from the character’s point of view doesn’t do that. It just reiterates what I already saw on TV.
Too many downsides against the interesting tales, I’m afraid. Wait for it to drop in price before buying it.
Someone else commented that it reads like a teen’s post on reddit, and I agree wholeheartedly. There are spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes everywhere you look. For some reason he uses “F’n” and “MFer” instead of the full words most of the time, but not consistently. Mox doesn’t seem to believe in any punctuation between speech marks unless it’s an exclamation or question mark. Chapter two is a multi-page single paragraph.
Basically, what I’m saying is, this book badly needs a competent editor. Sometimes I (uppercase i) or l (lowercase L) are substituted for each other or the number 1, which makes me wonder if the physical book is an easier read and the ebook is a terrible scan that wasn’t checked particularly well before being approved. It doesn’t explain the inconsistent approach to swearing, but for all I know chapter two is formatted into clean, readable paragraphs, and the missing punctuation that ticked me off is actually present in the real book. (Though in this day and age, why would they scan in a book when Mox notes that he wrote it on Reneé’s Mac?)
MOX tells an interesting story, I loved the bits about CZW, (being one of the people who, after seeing Dean Ambrose on WWE for the first time, went back to his indie days to see what everyone was raving about), and getting backstage insight into WWE is always interesting. I just wish the structure was a little more coherent. I didn’t read this all in one sitting, so jumping around the timeline endlessly made me keep forgetting what backstory we’d found out eight chapters ago that was relevant now in this chapter, because there had been a bunch of other side tangents.
I personally prefer a more linear autobiography. While this was interesting, and clearly written by Mox or the most talented ghost-writer in the world (grammar aside), it doesn’t have that thing that will make me re-read it. It wasn’t worth the very high price tag either. It was an interesting read, but a bit of editing would have made it far more enjoyable. I wasn’t a huge fan of reading about the matches “in character”. The reason I read these autobiographies is to peek behind the curtain, and to read about it from the character’s point of view doesn’t do that. It just reiterates what I already saw on TV.
Too many downsides against the interesting tales, I’m afraid. Wait for it to drop in price before buying it.
November 2, 2021
What the hell did I just read
November 7, 2021
A book that gives us a deeper insight into the man behind the unscripted violence - who also happens to be a man who is very particular about the composition of his sandwiches?
Yes, please!
This book is an electrifying walk down memory lane that catalogues some of Moxley's finest moments in his professional wrestling career (which as a seasoned fan, you should be mostly familiar with) while at the same time, laying bare the hardships he faced growing up, his first foray into professional wrestling in 2003, his admiration for Les Thatcher, the root behind his burning appetite for deathmatches - and more.
I've been a big fan of Mox since his debut in the SHIELD in 2012. I've had a privilege to watch him at a WWE Live Show in Dubai in 2016 as well. And as a big fan, re-reading about the legendary moment he made his way through the AE-dub crowd at DoN 2019 and downed Jericho and Omega, gave me the chills. (Probably going to have to re-watch that clip for the thousand-th time)
I'm not sure how accessible this book is going to be to anyone not in touch with the professional wrestling business. It might be a little too overwhelming and out of context at points(and if ultra violence, blood and human beings smacking each other with fluorescent tube lights gets your tummy queasy, you might want to steer COMPLETELY clear of this book).
However, as an AE-dub fan and a MOX fan, this book was an absolute blast.
PS: At the time of writing this review, Jon has pulled out from all upcoming AEW shows and admitted himself into a rehab program. We all know you're going to come out of this stronger and better than ever! We love you! Looking to hear 'Wild Thing' play at an AE-dub show as soon as possible.
Yes, please!
This book is an electrifying walk down memory lane that catalogues some of Moxley's finest moments in his professional wrestling career (which as a seasoned fan, you should be mostly familiar with) while at the same time, laying bare the hardships he faced growing up, his first foray into professional wrestling in 2003, his admiration for Les Thatcher, the root behind his burning appetite for deathmatches - and more.
I've been a big fan of Mox since his debut in the SHIELD in 2012. I've had a privilege to watch him at a WWE Live Show in Dubai in 2016 as well. And as a big fan, re-reading about the legendary moment he made his way through the AE-dub crowd at DoN 2019 and downed Jericho and Omega, gave me the chills. (Probably going to have to re-watch that clip for the thousand-th time)
I'm not sure how accessible this book is going to be to anyone not in touch with the professional wrestling business. It might be a little too overwhelming and out of context at points(and if ultra violence, blood and human beings smacking each other with fluorescent tube lights gets your tummy queasy, you might want to steer COMPLETELY clear of this book).
However, as an AE-dub fan and a MOX fan, this book was an absolute blast.
PS: At the time of writing this review, Jon has pulled out from all upcoming AEW shows and admitted himself into a rehab program. We all know you're going to come out of this stronger and better than ever! We love you! Looking to hear 'Wild Thing' play at an AE-dub show as soon as possible.
November 12, 2021
I get the criticism. It’s not written chronologically, there’s no real filter to speak of and it sometimes reads like the ramblings of a madman. But this is highly entertaining.
Moxley speaks from the heart and you can feel his passion leaping from the pages, whether it’s about wrestling or something else entirely like his favorite movies, music or even sandwiches. Yeah, seriously, not kidding. His life has definitely been a wild ride and there are some absolute gems of stories in here. Some will get your heart racing, some will have you racing to your computer to rewatch an awesome match of his, others will simply have you laughing out loud.
What you see is what you get with Jon Moxley and in this book, you get all of him. The good, the bad and the ugly. Pure and simple.
Moxley speaks from the heart and you can feel his passion leaping from the pages, whether it’s about wrestling or something else entirely like his favorite movies, music or even sandwiches. Yeah, seriously, not kidding. His life has definitely been a wild ride and there are some absolute gems of stories in here. Some will get your heart racing, some will have you racing to your computer to rewatch an awesome match of his, others will simply have you laughing out loud.
What you see is what you get with Jon Moxley and in this book, you get all of him. The good, the bad and the ugly. Pure and simple.
February 28, 2024
Mox reads like a road trip car ride full of assorted stories told by Jon Moxley, but this also translates into a wrestling autobiography like no other, one that can feel rambly and go off topic a lot. The former WWE Champion and current AEW star admits that he isn't a professional author from the getgo, but does have a lot of genuine emotion and spirit in his book. It's prime Moxley from the start - the tone is unapologetic, lazy, defiant, and a little full of itself. Moxley covers his entire career, from his indie beginnings to his hardcore matches to his time in WWE as Dean Ambrose to the beginning stages of his AEW stint. He includes bonus intermission parts in the book to spout off movie and album recommendations, which I actually really liked, something I don't see often and helped the flow of the book not feel quite as run-on. Moxley also includes his favorite one-liners from Cesaro, which was fun. If you've read a lot of wrestling autobiographies, this one is way different than most in that it feels conversational and genuine, but also incredibly rambly. You can tell Moxley wrote this himself, for better or worse (mainly the latter). Also, jeez, please amp up that text size next time - it's very squished and small and only serves to make the book thinner...
November 11, 2021
I have read many pro wrestling memoirs but this one is different, better, because Jon Moxley takes you inside the ring and inside his mind. Vulnerable. Violent. Imperfect. There are typos and run on sentences, but they’re worth it. I understand what drives athletes more today than I did yesterday because of Moxley’s prose.
October 9, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this memoir. For those who don't know, Mr. Moxley is a badass. And I mean a REAL badass.
Setting aside those who are pro-wrestling fans, I have little doubt that some might find him inspiring. Dude's overcome a LOT. He's got resilience for days. He's the kind of guy you need to make sure is on your side in a bar fight. Cuz if he's not, more likely than not, kiss you butt goodbye.
I bet you at least as many readers would find him abrasive to say the least. He's got a macho attitude some wouldn't like.
But I don't let any of that affect my own perceptions. One of the reasons I read is to get absorbed into different lives, different perceptions. And Jon Moxley's had a life about as different from my own as I could possibly imagine. I admire him in what he's accomplished. I might not share some of his views or anything, but that's okay too. Because I learned a LOT. About the business he's dedicated his life to. About his own life. About his world view. As I write this review, I'm watching him in a match against Tomohiro Ishii. Great stuff.
It's all really cool.
Moxley here shares an account of his life, how he came up in the business, the seemingly endless amounts of... let's just call them... interesting jokes by another current member of AEW. Yeah, I can see some of the reviews' point that the narrative is pretty scattered and follows a sort of stream of consciousness. But again, I was good with that. I WANT to get into his mind. That's the whole point. he's got his own voice, offering his own trademarked candor. I appreciated that even though I found it alternately interesting or jarring.
And it contained some surprising content that I totally got behind. Like his take on sandwiches. Dude, I'm with you Moxley! (Bread, ingredient, balance, and entry point.) Dude how do more people not understand these pillars and how they have to fully integrate to make a satisfying snack or meal? (No idea, but Moxley's 100% right on this. 100%) And the section on marital advice? I was smiling throughout the whole chapter. Again had it 100%. I've been married a good long while and EVERYTHING he said about that? All true. It's everything I would have said if anyone ever cared one wit about what I thought. So kudos there too.
Setting aside those who are pro-wrestling fans, I have little doubt that some might find him inspiring. Dude's overcome a LOT. He's got resilience for days. He's the kind of guy you need to make sure is on your side in a bar fight. Cuz if he's not, more likely than not, kiss you butt goodbye.
I bet you at least as many readers would find him abrasive to say the least. He's got a macho attitude some wouldn't like.
But I don't let any of that affect my own perceptions. One of the reasons I read is to get absorbed into different lives, different perceptions. And Jon Moxley's had a life about as different from my own as I could possibly imagine. I admire him in what he's accomplished. I might not share some of his views or anything, but that's okay too. Because I learned a LOT. About the business he's dedicated his life to. About his own life. About his world view. As I write this review, I'm watching him in a match against Tomohiro Ishii. Great stuff.
It's all really cool.
Moxley here shares an account of his life, how he came up in the business, the seemingly endless amounts of... let's just call them... interesting jokes by another current member of AEW. Yeah, I can see some of the reviews' point that the narrative is pretty scattered and follows a sort of stream of consciousness. But again, I was good with that. I WANT to get into his mind. That's the whole point. he's got his own voice, offering his own trademarked candor. I appreciated that even though I found it alternately interesting or jarring.
And it contained some surprising content that I totally got behind. Like his take on sandwiches. Dude, I'm with you Moxley! (Bread, ingredient, balance, and entry point.) Dude how do more people not understand these pillars and how they have to fully integrate to make a satisfying snack or meal? (No idea, but Moxley's 100% right on this. 100%) And the section on marital advice? I was smiling throughout the whole chapter. Again had it 100%. I've been married a good long while and EVERYTHING he said about that? All true. It's everything I would have said if anyone ever cared one wit about what I thought. So kudos there too.
November 19, 2021
At first I thought the title of this book was too close to 'Cash' by Johnny Cash, who as far as I'm concerned should be the first and last person whose autobiography is just their name. However, it's Jon Moxley, so I'll allow it.
This book is second only to maybe Bret Hart's 'Hitman,' but while Bret, brilliant as he is, spends a lot of time talking about how sad he was to cheat on his wife and how difficult it was to fuck tons of waitresses while he was on the road, Jon is a bit more clear-sighted about himself and what he does. You get a real sense that Jon Moxley is a man of deep intelligence and sensitivity.
It's a bit like being cornered at the end of the bar by a loquacious drunk who wants to tell you all the stories of the wild shit that's happened to him and his opinions on everything in the world. Except it's not all bullshit.
This book is second only to maybe Bret Hart's 'Hitman,' but while Bret, brilliant as he is, spends a lot of time talking about how sad he was to cheat on his wife and how difficult it was to fuck tons of waitresses while he was on the road, Jon is a bit more clear-sighted about himself and what he does. You get a real sense that Jon Moxley is a man of deep intelligence and sensitivity.
It's a bit like being cornered at the end of the bar by a loquacious drunk who wants to tell you all the stories of the wild shit that's happened to him and his opinions on everything in the world. Except it's not all bullshit.
March 21, 2022
A book as honest and rough around the edges as the man who wrote it.
I love Mox’s movie and music suggestions throughout, Claudio’s jokes, and all the snapshots and behind-the-scenes details of his career. I also 100% read this book in Mox’s voice.
Despite all the personal demons, the dangerous matches, and the penchant for colourful language, Moxley’s motto of “We’re the good guys” is felt throughout in his earnest desire to do right by himself and others.
I love Mox’s movie and music suggestions throughout, Claudio’s jokes, and all the snapshots and behind-the-scenes details of his career. I also 100% read this book in Mox’s voice.
Despite all the personal demons, the dangerous matches, and the penchant for colourful language, Moxley’s motto of “We’re the good guys” is felt throughout in his earnest desire to do right by himself and others.
November 4, 2021
Not good
The book seems like it was originally a school essay assigned to a 14 year old that they got a C on. The book jumps around for no reason, there are random interludes about popular books and music that add nothing.
This should have been a blog of random ramblings. I like Mox less after having read this.
The book seems like it was originally a school essay assigned to a 14 year old that they got a C on. The book jumps around for no reason, there are random interludes about popular books and music that add nothing.
This should have been a blog of random ramblings. I like Mox less after having read this.
August 24, 2022
i think what i love most about this book is that you can just tell that mox wrote it himself and didn’t use a ghost writer. the way the text flows is basically a transcript of the way he speaks.
as i always say: shield mark first, human being second. also, i hate myself for actually laughing at some of claudio’s jokes.
as i always say: shield mark first, human being second. also, i hate myself for actually laughing at some of claudio’s jokes.
November 10, 2021
3.5 stars
If it involves wrestling or MMA I’ll probably read it! Lol
That being said, I think it may be a little premature for Moxley’s story. It jumps around a lot, which was kind of annoying.
An fairly quick, easy read, definitely check it out if you are a wrestling/Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley fan.
If it involves wrestling or MMA I’ll probably read it! Lol
That being said, I think it may be a little premature for Moxley’s story. It jumps around a lot, which was kind of annoying.
An fairly quick, easy read, definitely check it out if you are a wrestling/Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley fan.
November 15, 2021
Picked up at the airport on a whim - the chapter on sandwiches and the pillars of proper sandwich assembly is a revelation - about time somebody said it.
November 30, 2021
This would have been an absolute banger if it had had literally one harsh edit. As it stands it's fun and good, and Mox has a great point of view and sense of style.
August 5, 2025
MOX by Jon Moxley:
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Review:
"MOX" by Jon Moxley is a gripping and candid memoir that takes readers on a wild ride through the world of professional wrestling. From his early days on the independent circuit to his rise to superstardom in WWE and beyond, Moxley pulls no punches as he recounts the highs and lows of his career and personal life.
Gripping Narrative:
One of the strengths of "MOX" lies in its raw and unfiltered storytelling. Moxley's narrative is captivating from start to finish, filled with adrenaline-fueled matches, backstage drama, and personal struggles. His no-holds-barred approach pulls readers into the chaotic world of professional wrestling, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the triumphs and tribulations of life on the road.
Emotional Depth:
Despite its action-packed nature, "MOX" also delves into the emotional toll of Moxley's journey. From his battles with addiction to his struggles with mental health, Moxley lays bare his innermost thoughts and feelings with refreshing honesty. His vulnerability adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to empathize with his triumphs and tribulations on a personal level.
Comparative Analysis:
In comparison to its contemporaries in the genre of wrestling memoirs, such as Mick Foley's "Have a Nice Day!" and Chris Jericho's "A Lion's Tale," "MOX" stands out for its gritty realism and unvarnished authenticity. While Foley and Jericho also offer captivating accounts of their wrestling careers, Moxley's memoir feels more immediate and visceral, reflecting the chaotic energy of his in-ring persona.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "MOX" by Jon Moxley is a must-read for wrestling fans and memoir enthusiasts alike. With its gripping narrative, emotional depth, and unfiltered authenticity, "MOX" offers a captivating glimpse into the world of professional wrestling and the life of one of its most enigmatic stars. Whether you're a longtime fan of Moxley or new to the world of wrestling, "MOX" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Review:
"MOX" by Jon Moxley is a gripping and candid memoir that takes readers on a wild ride through the world of professional wrestling. From his early days on the independent circuit to his rise to superstardom in WWE and beyond, Moxley pulls no punches as he recounts the highs and lows of his career and personal life.
Gripping Narrative:
One of the strengths of "MOX" lies in its raw and unfiltered storytelling. Moxley's narrative is captivating from start to finish, filled with adrenaline-fueled matches, backstage drama, and personal struggles. His no-holds-barred approach pulls readers into the chaotic world of professional wrestling, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the triumphs and tribulations of life on the road.
Emotional Depth:
Despite its action-packed nature, "MOX" also delves into the emotional toll of Moxley's journey. From his battles with addiction to his struggles with mental health, Moxley lays bare his innermost thoughts and feelings with refreshing honesty. His vulnerability adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to empathize with his triumphs and tribulations on a personal level.
Comparative Analysis:
In comparison to its contemporaries in the genre of wrestling memoirs, such as Mick Foley's "Have a Nice Day!" and Chris Jericho's "A Lion's Tale," "MOX" stands out for its gritty realism and unvarnished authenticity. While Foley and Jericho also offer captivating accounts of their wrestling careers, Moxley's memoir feels more immediate and visceral, reflecting the chaotic energy of his in-ring persona.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "MOX" by Jon Moxley is a must-read for wrestling fans and memoir enthusiasts alike. With its gripping narrative, emotional depth, and unfiltered authenticity, "MOX" offers a captivating glimpse into the world of professional wrestling and the life of one of its most enigmatic stars. Whether you're a longtime fan of Moxley or new to the world of wrestling, "MOX" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
March 21, 2025
Rabid and wild. If it was edited properly it wouldn’t be Moxley lol. But I enjoyed the incoherency. It sounded like Mox was directly speaking to the reader, making each violent/comic anecdote completely personal.
I’ve always loved this guy, his interests beyond wrestling, and his overall worldview. Really cool to realise how our shared loves for puroresu and deathmatch wrestling- which might at first seem like opposite ends of wrestling‘s kaleidoscopic spectrum- stem from a similar place.
I’ve always loved this guy, his interests beyond wrestling, and his overall worldview. Really cool to realise how our shared loves for puroresu and deathmatch wrestling- which might at first seem like opposite ends of wrestling‘s kaleidoscopic spectrum- stem from a similar place.
January 7, 2022
Banyak cerita belakang tabir, terutama kenapa penulis tinggalkan WWE dan siapa penulis di sebalik pesona Jon Moxley/Dean Ambrose. Cerita tak disusun mengikut kronologi, tapi anekdot yang tercatat tetap menarik. Gaya penulisan membuatkan saya yakin bahawa buku ini ditulis oleh penulis sendiri, bukan ghoswriter. Peminat Jon & pro-wrestling umumnya tentu sukakan naskah ini.
July 25, 2024
A very charismatic autobiography that is written and narrated well. I always love reading about professional wrestler's backgrounds as they attempt to break into the industry and make it to the top. Moxley has a unique perspective in today's wrestling scene as he was once at the top of the WWE and is now also apart of the alternative, AEW, so it was interesting to see his perspective on both sides.
Loved reading about his upbringing and his childhood, as well as his early break-ins into the industry. But honestly, it was the chapters about his wife Renee that stuck out to me the most. Genuinely some very great personal stuff and emotions shared there.
Definitely a killer ride. Looking forward to him writing more.
Loved reading about his upbringing and his childhood, as well as his early break-ins into the industry. But honestly, it was the chapters about his wife Renee that stuck out to me the most. Genuinely some very great personal stuff and emotions shared there.
Definitely a killer ride. Looking forward to him writing more.
Read
January 2, 2022What I really enjoyed is that as chaotic, fast paced and seemingly random coalition of chapters merges well together. Never boring and never lets up, it's an exciting, fun and tragic read into the mind of this one of a kind professional wrestler.
Shout out to the album spins and Claudio jokes.
Shout out to the album spins and Claudio jokes.
January 10, 2025
It's crazy that more people dont like this stuff idk
May 22, 2025
This was the first wrestler autobiography I’ve ever read, so I don’t really know how it stacks up to others, but I had a ton of fun listening to this on audiobook. I really like Moxley’s voice and I love hearing all the behind the scenes stories and tidbits. I would have gladly listened to way more about any of the stages in his career he talks about (training, indie Deathmatches, WWE, AEW).
I probably wouldn’t recommend this to someone who isn’t a professional wrestling fan, especially because the non-chronological style of it would confuse anyone that didn’t already have a baseline understanding of the business.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this to someone who isn’t a professional wrestling fan, especially because the non-chronological style of it would confuse anyone that didn’t already have a baseline understanding of the business.
March 14, 2025
Just an awesome read. Really more of a collection of stories about Jon’s life, interests, and path in wrestling but it’s so totally raw and gritty in that signature Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley way. Obviously the highlight here are the Shield and WWE behind the scenes stories but the Japan, deathmatch, rise of AEW stuff is just as interesting if not more. The audiobook is absolutely phenomenal. Highly encourage the audio version along with this. Mox is the man. 4.25/5
June 6, 2022
“ A menudo hay barreras en el lenguaje, pero la lucha libre es una lengua universal”
March 7, 2024
Maybe I'm biased because Jon Moxley is one of my favorite wrestlers. Maybe it's because he's a home state guy, and I had the pleasure of meeting him to sign my copy of this. When I got to his table, he picked it up and asked me, "You read this garbage?" and I apologized because for not having finished it yet. He said, "Don't worry, a third grader can read it because a third grader wrote it."
Despite what he said, I had a blast reading it. Like others have said, it is so easy to hear the text in his voice. I even ended up getting the audiobook to play for my husband on a roadtrip and it sounds just as you'd expect. Some have complained about the tangents, but my ADHD self enjoyed the ride. It's funny, touching, and insightful. Very real, just like him.
Despite what he said, I had a blast reading it. Like others have said, it is so easy to hear the text in his voice. I even ended up getting the audiobook to play for my husband on a roadtrip and it sounds just as you'd expect. Some have complained about the tangents, but my ADHD self enjoyed the ride. It's funny, touching, and insightful. Very real, just like him.
November 26, 2021
Mox's Voice
A great book where Mox's voice rings out loudly. One of the best wrestling books I've read in a long time, up there with Foley and Jericho.
A great book where Mox's voice rings out loudly. One of the best wrestling books I've read in a long time, up there with Foley and Jericho.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 511 reviews