Report: Backstage News On Buddy Matthews AEW Signing
Matthews debuted on the February 23 edition of AEW: Dynamite
Buddy Matthews is ‘All Elite’ with the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion debuting on last week’s edition of Dynamite, aligning with old nemesis Malakai Black in the House of Black.
Matthews had been rumoured to be signing with the company for a while, and a report from Fightful Select has shed some light on the ‘Best Kept Secret’ joining AEW.
The report states that Matthews and AEW had held discussions about a deal last Autumn, but there has been no word on when a deal was finally reached. Several members of AEW’s roster knew Buddy was coming in and would be part of the House of Black, with those in the know reportedly being aware of the deal three weeks before his debut. As a result, speculation has arisen that Matthews’ deal has been in place for some time now.
Fightful’s sources also stated that when Matthews finally showed up on February 23 he made a good impression, in particular nixing a planned spot during his debut when he realised he’d be using someone else’s finisher.
Since his WWE release in June 2021, Matthews has wrestled in MLW, PWG, and NJPW - fighting Kazuchika Okada in the latter - and Fightful’s report states that IMPACT Wrestling wanted to sign Matthews, but nothing came to fruition.