AEW delivered a major surprise on Wednesday night as former NJPW standout David Finlay officially arrived in the company during AEW Dynamite.
The moment came shortly after Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy picked up a tag team victory over Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors. Cassidy sealed the win by pinning Connors following his signature Orange Punch, but the celebration didn’t last long.
Out of nowhere, Finlay stormed the ring and attacked Allin and Cassidy from behind, turning the post-match scene into a chaotic three-on-two assault. Kidd and Connors quickly joined in, and the trio stood tall to close the segment, signaling the reunion of Finlay with his former War Dogs allies.
Not long after the segment aired, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed the signing on social media with an official “All Elite” graphic, announcing that Finlay, Kidd, and Connors will now compete in AEW together under the name “The Dogs.”
Khan wrote that the trio made their presence known on Dynamite and that the faction is now officially part of the AEW roster.
Finlay’s NJPW Era Comes to an End
Finlay’s arrival in AEW follows the conclusion of his lengthy run with New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he spent over a decade competing and eventually rose to become the final lineal leader of the Bullet Club faction originally founded by Finn Bálor in 2013.
His contract with NJPW expired in February, immediately sparking speculation about where the second-generation star would land next.
Multiple Promotions Interested
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Finlay explored several options before signing with AEW. Discussions reportedly took place with WWE, TNA, and AEW before the final decision was made.
Meltzer noted that AEW ultimately presented the strongest offer financially and in terms of interest.
There had been speculation that Finlay might end up in WWE, especially given reports that NXT’s “Birthright” stable—a group built around second-generation wrestlers—could have been a natural landing spot for him. However, the deal never materialized.
Instead, Finlay opted for AEW, signing what’s believed to be a multi-year contract. The move also aligns with his reported interest in relocating to the United States after spending 11 years competing primarily in Japan.
The Dogs Arrive in AEW
With Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors already appearing regularly on AEW programming in recent weeks, Finlay’s debut instantly solidifies the group as a new force within the promotion.
Now rebranded as The Dogs, the trio wasted no time making an impact on Dynamite, and their attack on Allin and Cassidy suggests that AEW’s tag team and trios divisions may have a dangerous new faction to deal with moving forward. 🐶🔥
Finlay’s debut marks one of AEW’s more unexpected signings in recent months—and it could be the beginning of a major new chapter for the former Bullet Club leader.
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