AEW has long prided itself on the intimate details, intricate attention paid to the subtleties in the stories they tell. Fans are able to find meaning beyond the surface; meaning in every move, every word and every moment.
The plaudits for this go to the likes of The Elite and MJF, but there’s another member of AEW’s roster putting equally meticulous thought into every detail of themselves. Upon becoming All Elite in October 2021, the evolution of Lee Moriarty began.
Presentation is everything and there may be nobody more aware of that fact than Moriarty. An artist before he was a wrestler, the same particulars that many put into their stories, into their promos and their matches also go into Moriarty’s presentation. There isn’t a fibre of himself that Moriarty hasn’t given diligent consideration, from the moment his music hits, to his entrance attire and every action he takes once the bell rings.
In-ring, the Bryan Danielson influence on Moriarty is apparent as he weaves from his technical artillery to wicked strikes. But Moriarty goes beyond that, marrying his technical and striking prowess with that of joshi and British wrestling. That fusion of wrestling styles coupled with Moriarty’s natural in-ring ability and his unmatchable artistry combine to make him wholly distinctive.
In his AEW tenure, Moriarty has struggled to find stable footing with any particular group or tag team. Inadvertently though, that has afforded him an opportunity not open to many, the opportunity to work alongside a treasure of diverse wrestlers.
Now mostly situated in Ring of Honor though, appearing almost weekly Moriarty has become a cornerstone of the promotion, and in doing so may have finally found the right fit alongside Shane Taylor in Shane Taylor Promotions.
Ahead of Final Battle, Wrestle Inn spoke with Lee Moriarty about his time in Ring of Honor and being part of Shane Taylor Promotions, his in-ring influences, aesthetic evolution and much more.
Q: In recent months you’ve aligned yourself with Shane Taylor in what appears to be a rebirth for Shane Taylor Promotions. How has it been working with Shane Taylor and being part of STP, given his career as a main-stay in Ring of Honor, what do you hope to accomplish under Taylor’s tutelage?
Moriarty: I joined Shane Taylor Promotions because I respect Shane’s work ethic and commitment for success. He’s a former ROH Television and 6-Man Tag Team Champion. I don’t see myself as being under Shane’s tutelage necessarily, but I do think there’s things he can help me with and vice versa. As for what I want to accomplish, I want to reach and sustain being on the next level of success within AEW and ROH.
Q: This year has seen you become a cornerstone of ROH, and the calendar for ROH culminates at Final Battle on December 15. What role do you hope to play at Final Battle? [Interview took place before the ROH Pure Championship changed hands]
Moriarty: I would love to compete at Final Battle this year, and if there’s any opportunity I’d like to earn, it’s a rematch against the current ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata. I know I’ve become a better wrestler since our last encounter and I believe I have what it takes to overcome The Wrestler if there’s another chance.
Q: The Mogul Embassy recently recaptured the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships on Dynamite. Alongside yourself and Taylor, who would you add as a third man to team with to challenge for the titles?
Moriarty: I think there are a few options out there that could work well. The first name that comes to mind is “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson. The invitation to join has been sent out, but we’re still waiting for a final answer. Another option could be reuniting the Pretty Boy Killers if Shane and Keith ever decide to stand on the same side again… of course they’re still on a Collision course to fight it out (see what I did there).
Q: Ring of Honor’s tag team division is stacked, but at present MJF holds the ROH World Tag Team Championships alongside the injured Adam Cole. Do you see the titles being held by them as frustrating or as an opportunity for yourself and others?
Moriarty: I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated because they did earn the championship. I think when one of the teams in ROH does eventually dethrone MJF and Cole, it’s going to make that victory that much more special. The ROH tag division is strong and it’s only going to grow stronger chasing those championships.
Q: Your AEW career has seen you work with several teams and factions. What have you been able to learn from working alongside a multitude of different wrestlers with varying levels of experiences throughout your AEW career, is there any specific advice or moment that you feel has really helped your growth?
Moriarty: I’ve been very fortunate to work with the people I have. Matt Sydal helped me learn how to navigate competing on national TV when I came into AEW. Stokely [Hathaway] helped me with finding a new level of confidence within myself. He has a mind for wrestling that can take the sport to another level. Big Bill taught me so much about wrestling on television as well, especially with tag team wrestling. Even the guys I wasn’t on screen with a lot in The Firm like Ethan Page, The Hardys, Isiah Kassidy and The Gunns, for their respective periods of time in the group, were great. MJF and The Firm’s relationship wasn’t long at all, but his advice about being intense was a help.
Q: In May you had the chance to face Japanese legend Katsuyori Shibata in a match for the ROH Pure Championship on Rampage. Given your appreciation of Japanese wrestling, what was that entire scenario like for you; from learning you’ll face Shibata, to the match itself and any interactions post-match.
Moriarty: Competing against Shibata in the main event of Rampage for the Pure Championship still, to this day, feels like a dream. When I walked into the building that day I was absolutely shocked when I was told what I’d be doing. I went out there and did my best to outwrestle The Wrestler but it wasn’t my night. Afterwards I was able to complete the code of honor backstage to show my respect to him as a competitor. The match motivated me to become better and I’m chasing the rematch.
Q: The PWI 500 list is a big talking point every year, but in recent years we have also seen the BW500, highlighting 500 of the best black pro-wrestlers in the world, and this year you placed 21st. What did it mean to you to be rated so highly on that list
Moriarty: I look at the list as a way to introduce fans to names they may not be familiar with. With 500 names there’s bound to be a few someone may not know, but could become their new favorite. I also believe that’s the reason the list was created. The number is subjective to the creator and everyone can make a list and have it be different. I’m grateful that someone even knows my name, let alone feels I can be ranked on their list so highly.
Q: Back in February 2022 you had a tremendously violent and technical bout against Bryan Danielson on Dynamite that you’ve discussed before. What are your feelings on Danielson’s announcement in September, that he will be slowing his career down in 2024?
Moriarty: I loved that match and I have a great amount of respect for Danielson. I personally consider Bryan to be the greatest wrestler of all time and I was very surprised when he made the announcement. While I wish he was going to be wrestling full time longer both as an opponent and a fan, I completely understand and respect his decision like I believe we all do.
Q: At Full Gear, AEW had the huge reveal that Will Ospreay has signed and is officially All Elite. What are your thoughts on Ospreay and him joining AEW?
Moriarty: I think Ospreay is one of the best wrestlers in the world and 2023 was arguably his year as the overall best. Him coming into AEW means the competition level has been raised again. He’s going to have a lot of first time matches that will be cool to witness.
Q: You’ve mentioned in a previous interview taking inspiration from the technical British wrestling style, specifically Nigel McGuinness. What is it about that technical style of wrestling that appeals to you?
Moriarty: I love technical wrestling because it focuses on the little details to help paint the bigger picture. Seeing unique transitions or cool counters in and out of moves is one of the most interesting parts of wrestling for me. I also think having a good base of technical wrestling helps blend other styles together better. I love all styles of wrestling and I believe a reason I can adapt to them is because of my technical wrestling base.
Q: Pure technical wrestling doesn’t necessarily appeal to a wider audience immediately, it’s a style filled with nuance that rewards those who watch attentively. It’s a style that Danielson and others have adapted over many years to give a broader appeal. Do you feel there is a place in AEW and American TV for pure technical wrestling?
Moriarty: I absolutely believe technical wrestling has a place on American TV and especially in AEW. Realistically, I don’t know that a weekly show of only technical wrestling would be a hit for a sustained period in America, but I think mixing it in with a variety of styles like AEW does so well can work great. Even World Of Sport, which is praised for its technical wrestling, wasn’t only technical wrestling.
Q: You’ve always shown your love of joshi wrestling, including wearing a Himeka shirt on Rampage when she was retiring and incorporating joshi moves into your own arsenal and getting to meet Manami Toyota recently. If you could choose any joshi wrestlers to enlist into Shane Taylor Promotions, who would you most want to bring into the fold?
Moriarty: I am a fan of Joshi wrestling. I knew of wrestlers like Bull Nakano, Manami Toyota and Akira Hokuto at first then discovered more through Stardom, TJPW, and when I did a seminar under Chigusa Nagayo. If I had to pick someone to enlist for Shane Taylor Promotions, I think Aja Kong would be a great choice. A hard hitting legend who’s appeared in AEW before. I would also say Takumi Iroha would be amazing to see in ROH and AEW at some point.
Q: Your wrestling influences such as joshi, British and Japanese wrestling have helped create a style unique to yourself in the ring. Outside of the ring your visual design talents continue to help you stand out and showcase your vision, and it all comes together to make Lee Moriarty entirely individualistic. It seems like you put an incredible amount of thought into your presentation, can you talk about that?
Moriarty: Before I was a wrestler or even a wrestling fan I was an artist. Wrestling let’s me showcase that in unique ways. Every part of my look I drew up and has a purpose. My mask represents African culture and it’s a reference to Tiger Mask I. I wear a singlet down because singlets represent “wrestlers”, but I wanted to wear it unconventionally like Masato Yoshino has. My most recent ring jacket I painted myself and has things that remind me of what motivates and inspires me. I think AEW appreciates the artist within me because my newest entrance screen is a concept I came up with and they brought it to life on a bigger, more advanced scale. When I step though the curtain I feel like I don’t look like anyone else in wrestling, and that’s really cool to me.
Q: Naturally you’ve become a bigger name since joining AEW than you were on the independent scene, and whilst you have grown so has your presentation. Could you talk about your aesthetic evolution?
Moriarty: I think aesthetically it’s important to always change. Even if it’s something minor, people notice change. When I came into AEW I was a kid living his dream. This was represented by the bright colors, the fun music and the high jumps during my entrance. As time has passed my character has realized reaching the dream and holding onto it require different things. My mask has a lot more sharp features to show a violent evolution, my gear has darker tones and even my newest entrance music, made by KEIFERGR33N, is more aggressive in sound. I think your aesthetic tells a lot about who you are and if you look at someone’s changes chronologically it can tell a story.
Thank you to AEW for arranging this interview and to Lee Moriarty for generously taking time to answer these questions.
You can follow Moriarty on Twitter @theleemoriarty and Instagram theleemoriarty.
Wrestle Inn 