AEW Joins WWE in Race to Sign Major NJPW Star

David Finlay’s next move just got even more interesting—because AEW is officially in the mix.

According to a January 30, 2026 update from Self Made Pro during a Self Made Session, AEW is now pursuing the former NJPW War Dogs leader—intensifying the race just as Finlay’s contract with New Japan nears expiration.

“I’ll tell you this—AEW have thrown themselves into the David Finlay sweepstakes,” the report confirmed. “So that is something that’s worth noting.”

This update comes on the heels of a report from Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select from earlier this month that WWE—specifically NXT—has been internally discussing Finlay as a potential signing. While no negotiations have taken place with WWE as of yet, both sides are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.

"According to Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, David Finlay has been discussed as a possibility within WWE. When Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reached out, we were told that negotiations haven't happened between the two sides, but that he was discussed within WWE. Wrestlevotes heard that NXT has interest in bringing him in."

Finlay’s contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling is set to expire at the end of January, and sources told Fightful that the former Bullet Club War Dogs leader is looking to spend more time in the United States in 2026—opening the door for either AEW or WWE to make a major play.

“He does still have obligations to New Japan Pro Wrestling, and they’re hoping to keep him,” one source confirmed, noting that NJPW isn’t letting go easily.

Finlay, son of WWE legend Fit Finlay, has spent over a decade in NJPW, racking up more than 800 matches and capturing titles like the NEVER Openweight Championship and IWGP Tag Team gold. In 2023, he took a massive leap as the leader of Bullet Club’s War Dogs faction, establishing himself as a top-tier heel in the company’s global expansion efforts.

A move to either AEW or WWE would be a major coup—especially given the current battle over global wrestling talent. So only time will tell what the future has in store for David Finlay.

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