Making his debut for All Elite Wrestling on the September 28 Dynamite broadcast, Bandido came up short vs. Chris Jericho. This marked the first in a series of clashes between ‘The Ocho’ and various ex-ROH champions; the reigning ROH World Champion has since fought off the likes of Dalton Castle and Colt Cabana.
It was reported after the matter that the masked marvel had been offered a deal by the Tony Khan-helmed promotion. Further updates noted that WWE also displayed an interest in the one-time PWG World Champion, having allegedly requested his contact details during his match vs. Jericho.
Bandido himself went as far as to say that he was in discussions regarding his next move with two deals awaiting him. Per the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, he’s opted to sign for AEW, a deal that has reportedly been officially signed.
Bandido Is The Latest Ex-ROH Signing To AEW
News of his signing to All Elite Wrestling marks the first official employment for Bandido since being made a free agent in late 2021. He’d been contracted to Ring of Honor prior to this. When Tony Khan purchased the rights to the former Sinclair-helmed group, Bandido didn’t automatically come with it, bar for one show.
He’s now become the latest former ROH star to be signed to AEW on either a full-time or tiered deal. The likes of Jay Lethal, The Briscoes, and The Gates of Agony have also followed suit, though for Jay and Mark Briscoe, their deal is solely for ROH appearances. Owing to past bigoted comments, AEW’s television networks aren’t keen to broadcast them.
Bandido’s first match as an officially-contracted AEW employee will see him challenge fellow ex-ROH World Champion RUSH on the forthcoming AEW Rampage broadcast on Friday, November 11. That will be one of four quarterfinal bouts in the AEW World Championship Eliminator tournament.