Brian Cage has returned to AEW Dynamite for his first singles match in a year, as he takes on Wardlow for the TNT Championship. The former FTW Champion wrestled in the Golden Ticket Battle Royale last week on AEW Grand Slam and now returns to challenge champion Wardlow for the TNT Championship.
Tony Khan revealed on Twitter on Monday afternoon that a match between Wardlow and Brian Cage had been booked for Dynamite, competing for the TNT Championship. This followed a social media post by Wardlow asking for anyone to step up to him, with the champion eager to defend his championship once again.
Wardlow wrote “I dare someone to challenge me for the TNT title this Wednesday at the anniversary show. Someone remotely close to my level. Just show up, I’ll be waiting.”
When Did Brian Cage Last Wrestle In AEW?
Brian Cage last wrestled on AEW Dynamite in a one-on-one match one year ago. on October 6th 2021, he failed to regain the FTW Championship as he was defeated by former Team Tazz member Ricky Starks, in a Philadelphia Street Fight.
His match against Wardlow was confirmed by the official AEW Twitter account, who presented a video of Cage answering Wardlow’s challenge and explaining his absence from AEW over the past year.
He revealed that he hasn’t been on AEW television recently because he’s in Ring of Honor (and wrestling outside of the AEW umbrella), creating a winning streak so that he can come back to AEW for the right opportunity.
He also noted he fans have been waiting for him and there’s no better time than the three-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite to become the new TNT Champion. He finally added that Wardlow is taking the path of least resistance, and that he’s the real competition.
Brian Cage’s return will be a welcome one, with him being one of the most missed stars since his last match in 2021. His matches against the likes of Adam Page and Jon Moxley were highlights of AEW in 2020 and 2021 and when booked right he could be a world champion-contender, like he was in TNA.
Brian Cage vs Wardlow is just one of many matches booked for the AEW Dynamite Three Year Anniversary Show. The rest of the card can be seen below;
- Bryan Danielson & Daniel Garcia vs. Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara
- TNT Championship: Wardlow vs. Brian Cage
- MJF vs. Wheeler Yuta
- “Hangman” Ada Page vs. Rush
- Toni Storm, Athena & Willow Nightingale vs. Jamie Hayter, Serena Deeb & Penelope Ford
- Darby Allin vs. Jay Lethal
Luchasaurus is also said to be wrestling, and a “National Scissoring Day” segment with AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn will also be taking place.
Brian Cage vs Wardlow
Brian Cage vs Wardlow has previously occurred, but not in AEW. The pair faced off inside a steel cage, in a match also involving Austin Aries, at Warrior Wrestling 5 in 2019. The event took place on May 2019 at the Marian Catholic High School in Chicago, Illinois.
You can watch the Wardow vs Brian Cage vs Austin Aries match by clicking here, or by watching the video embedded below.
What did you think of Brian Cage’s return in the Battle Royale? Tell us in the comments below what you think of The Machine’s run in AEW so far