Last year during the G1 Climax tournament, Lance Archer opened many eyes in the wrestling world thanks to his incredible performance. Despite being with New Japan Pro-Wrestling for nearly ten years, the Texas native didn’t really get a chance to break out until his Killer Elite Squad partner Davey Boy Smith Jr. left the company.
While Archer didn’t win the 2019 round-robin competition, it certainly opened up more opportunities for the 43-year-old as the AEW star would go on to win the IWGP United States Championship at King of Pro Wrestling.
Despite dropping the belt to Jon Moxley at Wrestle Kingdom 14, things still looked up for the big man in New Japan; however, rumors started speculating that Archer was in talks with AEW. In late February, it was confirmed that Archer inked a multi-year deal with the company and the former NJPW star is currently in the midst of a top feud with Cody Rhodes.
So despite being given a nice push in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, what made Lance Archer sign a deal with All Elite Wrestling instead?
The AEW star answers that question during an interview with TalkSport, where Archer explains that the decision wasn’t an easy one, but it became clear that the new promotion was more attentive to the former IWGP United States Champion, which he ultimately helped him decide to take a chance with AEW:
“It ultimately came down to the people in AEW were much more attentive to having me apart of AEW. The numbers were adding up in the right way. As I said, the prayers I was doing were leading me towards AEW and just everything was leading me towards it.
The opportunity to be a part of something that is growing, help that and help AEW become even greater than it already is, that challenge was just too enticing.” said Lance Archer. “Nothing was quick about the process. It took it’s time and I made some tough decisions, but ultimately the right decision in my opinion. That’s what led me to AEW and now we’re here, I’m ready to kick some ass.”
Archer will have a chance to kick some ass on May 23 as he’ll take on Cody Rhodes to become the inaugural TNT Champion.