Tag: “Speedball” Mike Bailey

Backstage Update On The Finish To AEW Dynamite/Collision Match After Miscommunication

A bit more clarity has emerged regarding the odd finish to Shelton Benjamin’s match with “Speedball” Mike Bailey during Wednesday night’s special three-hour AEW Dynamite/Collision broadcast from Boston’s Agganis Arena.

The closing stretch left plenty of fans scratching their heads. Benjamin nailed Bailey with a sharp superkick and covered him, only for the referee to abruptly halt the count despite Bailey’s shoulders being flat on the mat. The match rolled on for a few more moments before Benjamin ultimately sealed the win with a German suplex, a knee strike, and another superkick.

Naturally, viewers wondered if Bailey might have been legitimately rocked on the first kick. However, Bryan Alvarez reported that the situation came down to nothing more than an in-ring miscommunication — and no one was hurt.

Per Alvarez, the planned finish was indeed a superkick, and Bailey sold it with a huge flip bump that looked picture-perfect. Benjamin, recognizing how strong the moment came off, called an audible on the fly to end the match right there. The issue? The referee never caught the cue and stopped the count because it didn’t match the layout they’d been given.

Alvarez emphasized that Bailey did nothing wrong and wasn’t injured in the exchange. The blame, if any, falls on the miscommunication between Benjamin and the referee. Once the count was halted, the wrestlers simply reverted to the original closing sequence.

In the end, everyone walked away fine — just another case of live TV wrestling unpredictability creating a bit of confusion in real time.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey Officially Arrives in AEW with Hard-Fought Victory

After months of speculation, former TNA X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey has officially landed in All Elite Wrestling. Bailey made his highly anticipated debut on the March 12 episode of AEW Dynamite, entering the AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament as the mystery wildcard competitor.

Bailey’s move to AEW had been rumored since his TNA contract expired in late 2024, but fans were left guessing when he would actually make his first appearance. The wait ended after AEW teased his arrival through a vignette on AEW Collision in February, and once a wildcard spot was announced for the tournament, speculation ran wild that the high-flying Canadian would be the one to fill it.

A Tough First Challenge

Bailey’s AEW debut was anything but easy, as he faced off against the intimidating Beast Mortos. Right from the start, Mortos showed little interest in reciprocating Bailey’s show of respect, opting instead to overpower his smaller opponent. However, Bailey wasted no time reminding the AEW audience why he’s one of the most dynamic strikers in the game, unleashing a flurry of vicious kicks.

Despite Bailey’s early offense, Mortos used his size advantage to dominate the action on the outside. But “Speedball” wouldn’t stay down for long. Fighting back with his signature combination of kicks, chops, and an aerial assault, Bailey turned the tide, launching himself over the top rope with a breathtaking dive as the match headed into the commercial break.

Bailey Secures the Win in Spectacular Fashion

Mortos continued to showcase his power, gaining the upper hand after Bailey was crotched on the top rope. The Beast followed up with a devastating corkscrew tope, a pop-up Samoan Drop, and an avalanche press slam, nearly putting Bailey away.

However, the resilient newcomer refused to stay down. After a tense exchange of roll-ups, Bailey countered Mortos’ offense, delivering a moonsault knee drop before connecting with a perfectly placed crescent kick to the head to score the pinfall victory.

What’s Next for “Speedball”?

With this impressive win, Bailey advances to the four-way final of the AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament on March 19. He’ll be joined by the winner of Orange Cassidy vs. Hechicero, which took place later that night. The ultimate goal? A shot at Kenny Omega for the AEW International Championship at AEW Dynasty on April 6—a match Omega himself has said he wants to be against the best AEW has to offer.

Bailey has already proven he belongs in AEW. But can “Speedball” fight his way to a title shot and make an even bigger impact? The road to Dynasty just got a lot more interesting.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey is AEW Bound—Debut Coming Soon

Another top-tier talent is making his way to All Elite Wrestling as “Speedball” Mike Bailey has officially been announced as the company’s latest signing. A video package aired during AEW Collision on Saturday, hyping the former TNA X-Division Champion as “coming soon” to the promotion.

Bailey’s Journey to AEW

Bailey’s reputation as one of the most exciting high-flyers in pro wrestling has been well-earned. Beyond his TNA success, he has made a significant impact on the independent scene and in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). His performance in the 2023 Best of the Super Juniors tournament turned heads, as he advanced all the way to the semi-finals before being eliminated.

According to Fightful Select, Bailey actually wrapped up his time with TNA in October 2024, leading to interest from both WWE and AEW. Negotiations were handled through an agent, but since his contract didn’t officially expire until the end of the year, his move wasn’t finalized immediately.

Visa Issues Delayed His AEW Arrival

Despite his free-agent status, Bailey’s AEW debut has taken longer than expected due to visa-related complications. Reports indicate that his visa is still in the approval process, which explains why AEW has not provided an exact date for his in-ring debut. However, with his signing now official, it’s only a matter of time before he steps into an AEW ring for the first time.

What’s Next for “Speedball” in AEW?

With AEW’s stacked roster, it will be interesting to see where Bailey fits into the mix. Given his background, he could make an immediate impact in the AEW International Championship scene, or perhaps find himself involved in the highly competitive tag team division. Regardless of where he lands, fans can expect fast-paced, hard-hitting action from the three-time X-Division Champion.

AEW has made a habit of bringing in top talent from around the world, and “Speedball” Mike Bailey is yet another exciting addition. Now, all eyes are on when and where he will make his official AEW debut.

Speedball Mike Bailey Done With TNA, Expected To Sign With AEW

The wrestling world is abuzz with speculation following the news that “Speedball” Mike Bailey’s contract with TNA Wrestling officially expired on November 1. The dynamic former X-Division Champion, known for his high-octane in-ring style, is now a free agent—but it appears his next move is already in the works.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Bailey is expected to sign with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the near future. Sources close to Bailey and those within TNA have indicated that the talented star won’t be on the market for long. Interestingly, the report also highlighted that if Bailey were destined for WWE, whether on the main roster or NXT, there would have been no need for TNA to write him off television. This detail stems from the existing working relationship between TNA and WWE, which allows talent transitions without storyline departures.

Bailey’s potential move to AEW comes after a strong year of performances in TNA, where he showcased his versatility and ability to deliver standout matches. His fan-friendly style and undeniable charisma make him a natural fit for AEW’s diverse roster. Notably, Bailey was spotted backstage at an AEW Collision taping earlier this summer, reportedly visiting friends—a sighting that now seems more significant in hindsight.

Bailey’s last TNA Wrestling appearance came on the November 7 episode of “Impact,” when he lost the X-Division Championship to Moose. Afterward, Bailey’s ally Trent Seven shockingly betrayed him with a low blow and a lariat.

Bailey walks away from TNA Wrestling as a three-time X-Division Champion. Prior to losing the title to Moose, Bailey successfully defended it against El Hijo del Vikingo at TNA Bound for Glory, marking their first singles match since the GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break event in 2023.