What is more intriguing – a star expertly built by his promotion, or a star who built himself?
Opinions may differ, but one thing is certain:
There is an unmistakable style to wrestlers who started out on the independent scene, a genuine charm that stems from developing a sense of self independent of any particular promotion. Without a clear path laid out for them, wrestlers have to get creative – something that can benefit them greatly if they eventually find their way onto a larger stage. Because of this, many of AEW’s most promising young stars are talent who had their start on the indies, from Daniel Garcia to Wheeler Yuta. The single best example on the roster, however, would have to be “Taigastyle” Lee Moriarty. Moriarty debuted in 2015 after training at PWX in Pittsburgh and quickly made a name for himself due to both his impressive technical wrestling and his unmistakable aesthetics, owing to his background as a graphic designer. In 2021, he finally caught the eye of America’s second largest promotions and was officially signed to AEW just two months later. Since then, he has only attracted even more fans through his genuine passion for wrestling, both in and out of the ring.
- How big was the step from the independent scene to wrestling on national TV?
For me going from the independent to national TV was a massive step. The ability to learn about the art and sport of wrestling every week on such a big scale is amazing. It’s also very different because television wrestling flows differently than an independent show. A lot more cameras, timing differences and other factors come into play.
- What do you enjoy most about teaming with Big Bill? How as it helped you grow as a wrestler?
My favorite part of teaming with Big Bill is the fact that we have continued to remain ourselves. We haven’t changed the way we look or work to “match” the other and use our individuality as an advantage. Bill has a lot of television experience compared to myself, who didn’t before signing with AEW, and that’s helped me learn little things I didn’t pick up on the independents.
- What’s your favorite thing about professional wrestling?
My favorite thing about Professional Wrestling is the ability to compete in a physical sport and still express my artistic mind. Wrestling is the perfect blend of art and sport, in my opinion.
- You’ve gotten to wrestle CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Shibata. What other dream opponents do you have, if any, that you could realistically see yourself facing? Also, totally out-there-impossible dream matches?
Realistic dream opponents for me are Kenny Omega, Kyle O’Reilly, Hiromu Takahashi and Eddie Kingston. I think they all bring very different things to the table in wrestling that make them unique. At this point, after facing those three names you mentioned, I don’t think there’s any matchups totally impossible, haha.
- What match do you consider the best match you’ve had in your career so far?
The best two matches of my career so far in my opinion would first be my 3rd match in a series against Alex Shelley. To this day I don’t think I’ve had a more emotional match than that. My second would be my match against Konosuke Takeshita in ROH, which is available on WatchROH.com. We’ve faced once before that match, but I feel I was much more knowledgeable and better in the second encounter.
Hart: Lee Moriarty isn’t just a professional wrestler, but is also a fan and supporter of every aspect of the art, so I wanted to talk with him about other types of wrestling such as Britwres, Lucha, and Joshi wrestling.
- In my interview with Nigel McGuinness, he named you as one of his favorite wrestlers to watch. There are some BritWres submission stylings to your wrestling. Did he specifically inspire some of your wrestling style, or did other Brit wrestlers? When you hear praise from someone like Nigel McGuinness, what does that mean to you?
Nigel definitely inspired my in ring style. I’ve even been putting on weight in preparation of throwing more lariats, haha. There are definitely other wrestlers from BritWres that inspire me as well. People like Johnny Saint, Steve Grey, Les Kellet, and Mark Rocco, as well as some in the current generation, like Chris Brookes and Pete Dunne, have inspired my work. Hearing someone like Nigel say they’ve taken note of my work means a lot because of their influence on me. It means I’m on the right path.
- You are a fan of lucha libre. What technical luchador would you like to face or train with?
I love lucha libre. It’s so much fun to watch and study. I think their technical wrestling is often underrated because of how amazing they are with the high flying techniques. Before signing with AEW, I was slated to face Negro Navarro after I won a tournament in Mexico. I’d love to train with him and have the match, if possible. I’d also love those same opportunities with Skayde and Virus.
- You’ve previously mentioned wanting to travel to Japan. Are you still interested in pursuing a long term stay there? For any promotion, whether it’s as part of a Best of Super Juniors run or anything else.
I absolutely still want to travel and compete in Japan. One of the reasons I signed with AEW is because of that opportunity still being an option. I’d love to compete for any promotion or on any event in Japan. I greatly appreciate the style of Japanese wrestling as a sport and the passion from the fan bases. Best of the Super Juniors is a major goal of mine and hopefully one day I can make that come true.
- Are you interested in participating in the All-Star Junior Festival?
I’m definitely interested in competing in the All Star Junior Festival if the opportunity were to come up. I love Junior focused events.
Hart: I was specifically excited to talk with Lee Moriarty about Joshi wrestling, as that is a main focus of my fandom. Lee Moriarty has gained a reputation from fans as being one of the most outspoken supporters of Joshi wrestling currently signed to a major promotion.
- Do you think incorporating moves of Joshi wrestlers has given you an edge or advantage in ROH that others may not have?
I think taking influence from Joshi wrestling definitely gives me an edge. Joshi wrestling is a style of its own and I think it flies under the radar to a lot of people here in the states. More than the moves, I think there’s a pacing and pageantry that makes Joshi wrestling special.
- What are some of your favorite Joshi wrestlers right now? If you could wrestle any of them, who would be your first choice?
Its difficult narrowing the list down, haha. I think there’s so many amazing Joshi wrestlers active. Hazuki was one of my first favorites when I started watching Joshi wrestling more often. I’m also a big fan of MIRAI, Maika, Utami Hayashishita and Takumi Iroha. I think if I could wrestle anyone, it would be Emi Sakura. I think she has so much talent and knowledge to share.
Hart: With the 5Star Grand Prix currently going on, I wanted to get a prediction on a winner from him.
- Who do you think will win the 5Star Grand Prix this year?
My pick to win this year would be Utami Hayashishita or Maika. They’re the two I’m betting my money on.
Hart: I also wanted to talk with Lee Moriarty about some independent wrestling. I was curious to get his perspective, since he was very active on the scene before signing with AEW and continues to be a mainstay in a lot of independent promotions.
- You watch a lot of independent wrestling outside of shows you’re on and recently put two of my good friends Kris Brady and Jaiden on your story, from their match during the Cascadia Cup Tournament. As Prestige is my favorite promotion, it made me happy to see that. Do you specifically go out of your way to find new talents to watch, or do you just try to watch as much independent wrestling as possible?
I try to find new events to watch when I can and support. I love tournaments, so when Prestige Wrestling uploaded the Cascadia Cup on YouTube, I wanted to find time to watch. For me, it’s fun watching an event and finding a wrestler I wasn’t familiar with and becoming a fan. When AEW was in Vegas, I went to a FSW show on an off day and saw a guy by the name of Ricky Tenacious. Very entertaining.
- Would you be interested in wrestling talents like Jaiden, Kris, etc?
I’d love to compete against both of them and anyone else for that matter. Wrestling is so unique, not just because of the different styles, but the creative people it invites. Every chance I get to step into the ring with someone new and fight is a chance to learn.
- As a visual designer yourself, have you felt that that skill has helped you stand out among other wrestlers? Any tips you would give other wrestlers in terms of creating a recognizable & popular design?
I think being a visual designer has certainly helped me stand out and display my vision. Sometimes, as you know, it can be hard for a person to translate their vision to the artist and for the artist to capture that vision perfectly. The tiger on the LED screen was designed by me and animated by AEW’s team. My mask and gear I designed and sent it to gear makers who brought it to life. Even the ring jacket I recently began wearing was hand painted by me.
I think the best advice I can give to other wrestlers looking to create a popular design for their brand is to have patience. So many of my designs have had maybe a dozen versions before the final people actually see.
- If you could give anymore general advice to any wrestlers starting out right now, what would it be?
My advice for any wrestler just getting started is to go at your own pace. Don’t measure your success by what other around you are doing. While skill and work ethic are needed, timing and luck play a major role in a lot of things as well. It’s easy to get discouraged if you’re doing everything right but maybe you aren’t where you want to be. Seek out and enjoy the moments.
- What do you want people to think of when they hear the name Lee Moriarty?
I want them to think “TAIGASTYLE”. I want them to see me as more than just a wrestler and see my creativity in and out of the ring. I want them to remember me and know that trends are temporary, but TAIGASTYLE is forever.
Hart: I want to thank Lee Moriarty and AEW for taking the time to work with us on this interview. I am excited to see what the future holds for Lee Moriarty.
Please consider following Lee Moriarty on Twitter (@theleemoriarty), Instagram (theleemoriarty) and YouTube (@TheLeeMoriarty)!
