Roderick Strong signs with AEW, debuts on Dynamite

Roderick Strong has signed with AEW, making a surprise appearance on Wednesday’s Dynamite.

Adam Cole on Wednesday called out Chris Jericho and told him to come to the ring. Jericho on the video screen rejected Cole’s demand, calling him a coward. He then sent the Jericho Appreciation Society to attack. Orange Cassidy and Bandido attempted to make the save, but the numbers game remained in the JAS’ favor until Strong made the save, fending off JAS. Cole and Strong teased dissension, but then hugged as the segment ended.

Shortly after Strong’s appearance on Dynamite, Tony Khan confirmed that Strong had signed with the company.

Strong later sent out a tweet saying he was back.

Strong, who had been under contract to WWE, has not wrestled since last August, losing to Apollo Crews on an episode of NXT. He had been associated with The Creed Brothers and was involved in a storyline with Damon Kemp. He had been written out of television after he was attacked backstage, with Kemp being revealed as the eventual assailant. Strong was last seen on NXT television last October, selling the effects from Kemp’s attack.

Last year it had been reported that Strong had requested his release from WWE several times prior to being written off television, but those requests had been denied.