WWE fans were left stunned during the latest episode of SmackDown when the unthinkable happened—Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose in WWE, made his shocking return to the company. Even more jaw-dropping, Moxley aligned himself with none other than “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns.
For years, fans speculated whether Moxley would ever step back into a WWE ring after leaving in 2019 and reinventing himself in AEW. His gritty, unhinged persona made him one of wrestling’s most talked-about figures outside WWE. Many believed the door was closed forever. But on Friday night, the arena erupted when Moxley’s unmistakable entrance theme hit, signaling a seismic shift in the WWE landscape.
Roman Reigns, who has dominated SmackDown with The Bloodline for over three years, was in the ring delivering one of his trademark promos about running the industry. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and Moxley stormed through the audience, a throwback to his Shield days. The tension was electric—fans wondered if Moxley had come to take down Reigns, or to stand with him.
Shockingly, after a tense stare-down, Moxley extended his fist in the classic Shield gesture. Reigns hesitated, the crowd buzzing with anticipation, before responding in kind. The arena exploded as the two former Shield brothers embraced in a reunion that nobody saw coming.
This twist raises endless possibilities for WWE storytelling. With Seth Rollins currently sidelined due to injury, fans immediately began speculating if the Shield could eventually reform at full strength. Even without Rollins, the pairing of Reigns and Moxley instantly becomes one of the most dominant forces in wrestling.
The move also leaves major questions about The Bloodline. With Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso showing signs of defiance against Reigns in recent months, Moxley’s arrival could shift the balance of power. If Reigns chooses Moxley as his new right-hand man, the Bloodline saga takes on an entirely new direction.
Beyond storylines, the return of Jon Moxley carries massive implications for WWE as a whole. His reemergence proves that no bridge is ever truly burned in professional wrestling. It also signifies WWE’s commitment to surprising its audience with the kind of moments that define eras. Moxley, a former WWE Champion, brings a renewed sense of unpredictability and danger to a product that thrives on shock value.
Social media exploded immediately following the show. Clips of the reunion went viral within minutes, with hashtags like #MoxleyReturns and #ShieldForever trending worldwide. Fans across the globe voiced their excitement, with many calling it one of the greatest SmackDown moments of the decade.
Where this alliance leads is anyone’s guess. Will Moxley and Reigns dominate together as the most unstoppable pairing in WWE history, or will their volatile personalities inevitably clash? One thing is certain: with Jon Moxley back in the mix, the entire landscape of WWE has been shaken to its core.
SmackDown will never be the same again.
