Why David Finlay Chose AEW Over WWE

The speculation is over, and David Finlay has joined AEW, but why did he choose Tony Khan’s company over WWE?

After weeks of rumour and innuendo about his future, David Finlay has made his debut for AEW on the March 4th edition of Dynamite.

On that show, Orange Cassidy teamed with Darby Allin to defeat Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors, when a familiar face made his presence felt. Finlay stormed the ring, attacking Allin and Cassidy before standing tall with Kidd and Connors. The group formerly known as War Dogs in New Japan Pro Wrestling now seem to be known as The Dogs in AEW.

Many had expected that Finlay would join his father, NXT coach and producer Fit Finlay, and his brother, NXT star Uriah Connors, in WWE, but that has not proved to be the case.

David Finlay Chose AEW Over NXT

Now, a report by Bodyslam.net has shed more light on why Finlay made his decision to sign with AEW, and it all came down to WWE wanting him to start with NXT:

WWE sources indicated to Bodyslam that Finlay was offered a deal to begin in NXT and they wouldn’t budge on their offer. As a result, Finlay ended up picking AEW and going with Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors.

Former AEW stars Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, Shawn Spears, and Blake Monroe are among those to make the jump from Tony Khan’s company to the NXT brand. Whereas Royce Keys and, more recently, Danhausen have immediately debuted as part of the main roster.