One AEW star has revealed why he has not been seen in action more often in 2023.
Before appearing at NJPW Dominion, the former AEW Men’s Casino Battle Royale winner has only worked nine matches in 2023 and after competing for the first time since April opened up to explain why.
But after competing against Will Ospreay, Archer explained that he had been out of action with a torn tricep.
The two-time IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion was looking for a shot at reclaiming the championship, and despite being defeated, has confirmed that he “just needed time” to recover from a torn tricep, and laid into fans thinking his absence was down to not being booked.
“2023 hasn’t been the best year for me. The amount of disrespect that I feel all over the world right now, it pisses me off. Nearly 23 years in this business. One of the best, if not the best, big man to step in the fu****g ring.
AEW, this message is for you. New Japan Pro-Wrestling, this message is for you. Every fu****g mark around the world, this message is for you. There’s a reason I haven’t been wrestling a lot, and it has nothing to do with bad booking, you dumb sh**s.
What everybody doesn’t even realize that I’ve been battling a torn tricep and I’ve kept it quiet. I didn’t tell everybody because I don’t need your sympathy, I don’t need your get well wishes. I don’t need anything. I just needed time, and now I’m back,”
The Murderhawk Monster Is Hunting The Aerial Assassin
Despite being defeated at NJPW Dominion, Lance Archer has put AEW and NJPW on notice that “The Murderhawk Monster is back”, and warned that those in the locker room should be afraid.
Archer is looking ahead to gaining revenge on Ospreay further down the line to even the score as the pair have collided on three occasions.
“Will Ospreay is truly one of the best in the business. We’re now 2-1. He’s bested me twice, I’ve beaten him once. There will be another time. I hope he wins that New Japan US Title because then I’m going to take it away from him. I respect Will Ospreay.
I respect every single wrestler that I ever step in the ring with. So better as well respect my ass from now on. I’m done messing around. I’m done taking anybody’s sh*t.
The Murderhawk Monster is back. You’ve all been put on notice, and the only way you can avoid me taking me everything from everyone is to keep me in the cage, but the cage can only last so long because my teeth grow sharper, the steel grows weaker.
I will get out and make everybody pay. It’s as simple as that. I’m the one you should be afraid of. Because it’s as simple as this. Everybody dies,”
After being victorious over Archer, The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay will now lock horns with Kenny Omega in a rematch from Wrestle Kingdom 17 for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
H/t to Fightful