David Finlay Reflects on NJPW Departure and AEW Choice

David Finlay, after spending much of his career in New Japan Pro Wrestling, signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in March 2026. His decision followed speculation about a potential move to WWE, particularly NXT, but he opted to join AEW to reunite with former Bullet Club War Dogs, Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors.

In a recent podcast appearance, Finlay explained that he had connections to both WWE and AEW, with family ties in WWE and friends in AEW. Ultimately, he felt that AEW offered him more freedom, including better pay and scheduling. He also expressed a desire to avoid starting over in WWE after achieving significant success in NJPW.

Finlay's move was also influenced by personal reasons, as he wanted to spend more time with his family after years of being in Japan. He acknowledged that he had contemplated leaving NJPW nearly a year before his departure, wanting to maximize his contributions during his final year with the company.