Report: Lance Archer in talks to join AEW

A new report is indicating that Lance Archer is in talks to join AEW.

Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated reported that Archer is currently in high level talks with the promotion. Although he regularly tours with New Japan Pro Wrestling, he is not under contract and thus is able to negotiate with other companies.

Archer previously has had runs with Impact Wrestling, where he wrestled under his real name Lance Hoyt, and WWE, where he wrestled as Vance Archer. After being released by WWE in 2010, he joined NJPW the following year, joining the Suzuki-gun stable. He eventually teamed with Davey Boy Smith Jr. and together they were known as the Killer Elite Squad.

Smith left NJPW last June, leaving Archer as a singles competitor. He participated in last year’s G1 Climax tournament and won his first singles title with the company later that year, defeating Juice Robinson in an impromptu match for the United States title back at King of Pro Wrestling on October 14. He lost the title to Jon Moxley earlier this month on the January 4 Wrestle Kingdom 14 card.

Archer is slated for the New Beginning USA tour that starts on January 24 in Tampa, Florida and runs through February 1 in Atlanta.