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Former TNA Champion Makes AEW Dynamite Debut

By John Canton • Published 12th March 2025
AEW Mike Bailey logo blur

A former multi-time champion in TNA Wrestling competed in his first AEW Dynamite match as part of a championship tournament.

The talented wrestler known as “Speedball” Mike Bailey is a former three-time TNA X-Division whose TNA run came to an end toward the end of 2024.

Although it was reported weeks earlier that he was headed to AEW, the company featured Bailey in a video in late February and Bailey also posted on social media about it.

I have been blessed for my whole career with unlimited support from all over the world. I can’t thank you all enough.

My biggest accomplishment in life has been making every year my best year yet, and I am extremely excited to keep that going in @AEW ! #AEWCollision

❤️🙏🔥

Once that became publicly known, it was a matter of “when” Bailey would debut.

The “when” was finally revealed on the March 12th edition of Dynamite when Bailey was revealed as the “Wildcard” in an 8-man tournament to determine who would challenge Kenny Omega for the International Title at the Dynasty PPV.

In his first AEW match, Bailey picked up the victory over The Beast Mortos to move on in the eight-man tournament. It would have been a surprise to see Bailey lose his first AEW match.

Tony Khan Welcomes “Speedball” Mike Bailey To AEW

After Bailey picked up an exciting win on Dynamite, AEW’s CEO, GM & Head of Creative Tony Khan welcomed him to AEW with the classic “Mike Baily Is All Elite” graphic.

The 34-year-old Bayley is originally from Quebec, Canada, and has been wrestling since 2006. He is known for being a great technical wrestler while also possessing high-flying skills. He is married to fellow wrestler-announcer Veda Scott.

Another former TNA wrestler who is also Canadian will be joining AEW soon as well because the former TNA World Champion Josh Alexander has reportedly signed with the company. There’s no word on when he will debut in AEW, but he is a free agent and likely can start whenever the company wants him to start.