Tag: David Finlay

Former NJPW Star David Finlay Makes Surprise AEW Debut, Reunites With War Dogs in Shocking Dynamite Moment

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.

Report – WWE Interested In David Finlay

David Finlay’s future in New Japan Pro-Wrestling may be approaching a crossroads, as new reports suggest the BULLET CLUB War Dogs leader is at least on WWE’s radar.

According to recent chatter, Finlay’s NJPW contract is coming up relatively soon, and he’s been exploring what his next move could look like. It was noted a few weeks back that Finlay has interest in spending more time in the United States in 2026, which naturally has fueled speculation about potential opportunities outside of Japan.

That speculation picked up more steam thanks to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, which reported that Finlay has been discussed internally within WWE. While there have been no direct talks between the two sides and Finlay still has commitments to NJPW, the report indicates that WWE has interest, with NXT being floated as a possible landing spot if things ever progressed.

From NJPW’s side, the company would reportedly like to keep Finlay around. He’s been a fixture in the promotion since 2015 and has steadily built an impressive résumé. Finlay is a two-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, a former IWGP Tag Team Champion, and a former NEVER Openweight Champion. He also added a major accolade to his legacy by winning the 2025 New Japan Cup, further cementing his status as a top-level player.

On-screen, Finlay was active over the past weekend, competing at both Wrestle Kingdom 20 and New Year Dash!!. In both cases, he found himself on the losing end of multi-man tag matches, with United Empire getting the better of the BULLET CLUB War Dogs.

For now, there’s no indication that Finlay is leaving NJPW imminently, but the fact that WWE interest has already been noted will only add intrigue to his contract situation. With his combination of experience, size, and leadership presence, Finlay is the type of talent that multiple companies would understandably want to keep an eye on as his next career decision approaches.