Former WWE Star Makes Surprise Debut On AEW Dynamite

Written by Robert Gunier • Published 27th April 2023
The Undisputed ERA Adam Cole Roderick Strong Bobby Fish Kyle O'Reilly

Tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite came with its fair share of shock and surprise, including an unexpected debut from a former WWE superstar.

Adam Cole appeared on Dynamite with a vendetta against Chris Jericho, the Jericho Appreciation Society, and The Outcasts following their brutal attack on Britt Baker during last week’s episode. But instead of confronting Jericho face-to-face like Cole wanted, Jericho appeared on the titantron screen and explained that he wants nothing to do with Cole after what went down. That’s when Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hagar, and Daniel Garcia jumped him and continued a beatdown until Orange Cassidy and Bandido, who had become friends earlier in the night, had an opportunity to run down to the ring.

Three vs. four still wasn’t enough, which is when the Killswitch Engage song “The End of Heartache” rang out over the audience, and Roderick Strong ran down for the assist. Roddy cleaned house, sending the JAS out of the ring, and allowed a moment for a reunion between him and Cole. They exchanged a passionate hug as Cassidy and Bandido looked on.

Roderick Strong’s final days in WWE

As seasoned fans are aware, Cole and Roddy were a part of The Undisputed Era faction in WWE alongside fellow members Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly. Despite ever other member of UE making their way to AEW at some point, Strong waited it out to make the jump from WWE. Strong suffered an ankle injury last September while still a member of the NXT roster, but reports that emerged after his recovery claimed that the company no longer had plans for the standout technical wrestler.