AEW is aggressively expanding its roster early in 2026, having already welcomed back Andrade El Idro and signed talents like Jake Doyle, Jordan Oliver, Alec Price, The Rascals, and new TNT Champion Tommaso Ciampa. Starting this Saturday, the promotion is expected to bring in stars from New Japan Pro Wrestling as well. According to Fightful Select, AEW officials are aiming to sign Clark Connors and have reportedly extended a formal contract offer to him.
Clark Connors began his New Japan Pro Wrestling career in 2018 as part of the LA Dojo and has grown into a dependable junior heavyweight over the past seven years. Initially aligned with Bullet Club War Dogs and more recently with Unbound Company, Connors never clinched a singles title in New Japan but captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice alongside stablemate Dorilla Maroney.
Thanks to the partnership between AEW and New Japan, Connors has made occasional appearances for AEW, including a notable showing at the inaugural Forbidden Door event where he competed fiercely in an AEW All-Atlantic four-way match featuring Malachi Black, Miro, and winner PAC. In 2025, he returned to face Swerve Strickland and recently fought Darby Allin on Collision. Following his tight loss, Connors and Unbound Company teammate Gabe Kidd assaulted Darby, signaling that both are likely to become regular competitors in AEW soon.
Some AEW insiders view Connors’ potential signing as a sign of growing interest in New Japan star David Finlay. Finlay, nearing free agency and rumored to be on WWE’s radar, might choose AEW to remain connected with his Unbound Company partners Connors and Kidd, which could have significant ramifications for the promotion’s future.
Fan Take: This move marks a pivotal moment for AEW fans, who can look forward to seeing familiar New Japan stars deepen the AEW roster’s talent pool. Bringing in Connors and possibly Finlay not only strengthens AEW’s junior heavyweight division but also highlights AEW’s commitment to being a global wrestling destination.
