Tony Khan says Jon Moxley has always been in Marina Shafir’s corner and that he and Moxley are proud of how far she has come in AEW. Khan made the comments during Thursday’s media call to promote Full Gear, where Shafir will challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
“Jon Moxley has been an advocate for Marina Shafir and a mentor to Marina Shafir, and a great partner to Marina Shafir,” Khan said. “I think Jon Moxley is very proud of how far Marina has come. I personally am very proud of how far Marina has come.”
Shafir was the one who approached Moxley first. Speaking on Talk Is Jericho in early 2025, Shafir recalled going straight to Moxley after a talent meeting where wrestlers were offered help getting more indie bookings, and “I need help” was all she told him. Moxley told TV Insider in 2024 that the idea came from him and that other wrestlers took part as well, but most stopped after the first few months, and he pointed to Shafir as an example of hard work.
“Jon’s always believed in Marina and always gone to bat for her, and I know he is as proud as anybody of what she’s accomplished, and she deserves the most of the credit herself because she’s worked so hard,” Khan added.
Khan pointed out that, like Moxley, Shafir is a part of almost every AEW show, and he made it clear that she earned the title shot.
Shafir will challenge Mercedes Moné on Saturday at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Moné has held the title since All In: London in August, and this will be the first singles match between the two.
Shafir’s last shot at the AEW Women’s World title came on June 8, 2022, when she lost to Thunder Rosa on Dynamite. Saturday’s match will be her first shot at the title in more than four years, and this time it will be on pay-per-view.