Former New Japan star David Finlay ended his free agency by picking AEW over WWE with a Dynamite debut. Finlay joined former NJPW allies Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors to attack Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin. The Wrestling Observer backed up a report from Bodyslam about Finlay turning down a WWE contract offer to join AEW. Finlay reportedly didn’t enjoy getting offered an NXT deal more akin to rookies than main roster talents.
Bodyslam’s Cory Hays reported the following:
“David Finlay was offered a contract with WWE to start with #WWENXT. It was a lower-level contract and not a main roster level contract. As a result, he agreed to a deal with AEW within the last week.”
Finlay was one of multiple names from NJPW becoming free agents in early 2026 during a great time for pro wrestlers to test the market. WWE and AEW both putting together deep rosters sees two major companies making big money offers.
However, it appears that WWE didn’t value Finlay beyond giving him a chance to start fresh in NXT. AEW debuted Finlay on television and made him stand tall as part of a new heel act. Finlay’s previous NJPW chemistry with Kidd and Connors also provides an easier transition.
WWE Was Considered Favorite For Finlay
There was a previous sense that WWE would be the favorites to land Finlay when he ended his NJPW tenure. David’s father Fit Finlay has been employed by WWE for most of the past twenty-five years. WWE highly values Finlay’s training and producing abilities behind the scenes.
Williams Regal’s son Charlie Demspey joined the company with a similar connection, and WWE often hires the relatives of performers in backstage roles today. Dave Meltzer previously claimed he felt WWE would have a strong chance if they wanted Finlay on the roster.
It appears WWE wanted to utilize Finlay as a prospect they were taking a chance on rather than someone they are clearly ready to invest in. Former AEW stars Ricky Starks and Ethan Page reportedly received better contracts than the average NXT performer due to their past success. Finlay didn’t get the same luxury and decided to try his luck elsewhere.
AEW’s Very Aggressive In Free Agency This Year
AEW President Tony Khan has hired a lot of new talents in recent months. Tommaso Ciampa, Andrade, Jake Doyle, Gabe Kidd, and The Rascalz are some of the new names to join AEW after signing through free agency.
Fans joke that the expected departure of Chris Jericho led to all these signings since Jericho was under one of the most lucrative deals. Khan has talked about his desire to be aggressive in free agency since he truly wants to live to AEW’s catch phrase “where the best wrestle.”
Finlay is a promising addition to the AEW roster and instantly joins a pushed act of the War Dogs. Cassidy and Allin are two of the company’s top faces to make it a fun first storyline for a debuting heel. Time will tell if Finlay can move up the card in a competitive landscape.
Popular Free Agent Picks AEW Over “Lower Level” WWE Offer