AEW Signs David Finlay, Clark Conners, & Gabe Kidd (The Dogs)

David Finlay has arrived at AEW (All Elite Wrestling). Armed with his signature shillelagh, he attacked Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin following their tag match victory over Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors. Then came the visual that wrestling fans had been waiting for: Finlay standing tall alongside Kidd and Connors.

How The Debut Unfolded

The setup was clean and effective. Kidd and Connors had already been active on AEW programming in recent weeks, building a program with Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy. The two teams wrestled on Dynamite, with Cassidy and Allin picking up the win. Then Finlay’s music hit.

He came through the crowd, shillelagh in hand, and wasted no time. Both Cassidy and Allin were taken out before they had a chance to recover from the match. The timing was sharp attacking two babyfaces immediately after a hard-fought match gave the moment maximum impact. Finlay, Kidd, and Connors then stood united in the ring.

Tony Khan confirmed the signings on social media shortly after, welcoming “The Dogs”. Wrestling outlets ran with the story fast, and fan reaction poured in across social platforms.

Why This Signing Matters

Finlay’s name had been circulating in wrestling circles for months. After his final matches in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, his destination was a genuine question mark. Multiple promotions were reportedly in the mix. AEW won that race.

The timing makes sense for both sides. Kidd and Connors were already planted on AEW television, so Finlay’s arrival completed the trio organically rather than forcing a cold introduction. For AEW, signing a proven international performer who already has on-screen chemistry with two of their active talents is a creative shortcut in the best possible sense.

The trio’s history together traces back to their Bullet Club War Dogs run in NJPW. Fans who followed their Japanese work know exactly what this group is capable of. That familiarity gives AEW a faction with built-in credibility from day one.

Why This Isn’t A Surprise

It should not come as a surprise that they signed with AEW. Clark Conners was already a lock to join, as he is in a real-life relationship with current AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla. Gabe Kidd was already being featured on AEW TV heavily during the Forbidden Door shows.

Finlay out of the bunch was the more surprising signing, but let’s be real with Kidd and Conners clearly going to AEW, it only made sense for Finlay to go too. They are going to make some real money with AEW, and its very intriguing to see what they do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Finlay, Kidd, and Connors officially signed to AEW?
Yes. Tony Khan confirmed all three signings on social media the night of the March 4 Dynamite episode.

Who did Finlay attack during his debut?
Finlay attacked Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin using his shillelagh, moments after they defeated Kidd and Connors in a tag match.

Is this a reunion of a previous faction?
Yes. The alliance mirrors their Bullet Club War Dogs association in NJPW, making the reunion familiar to fans who followed their work in Japan.

What Comes Next for The Dogs in AEW

AEW now has one of the most ready-made heel factions they’ve introduced in some time. Finlay’s debut was executed with precision, and the follow-through from Tony Khan’s confirmation gave the moment official weight almost immediately.

The next few weeks of Dynamite will tell a lot. How AEW builds out the group’s character, who they target next, and whether Finlay gets pushed as a singles threat alongside the faction work will shape just how significant this signing turns out to be.