Former IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion Lance Archer is officially joining the All Elite Wrestling roster. The company pushed out the announcement on their social media channels ahead of tonight’s AEW: Dynamite in Independence, Missouri. It’s noted in the press release that Archer signed a multi-year deal with the company.
Welcome to the team. #LanceArcher is #AllElite pic.twitter.com/O4VMbXr3BW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) February 26, 2020
Prior to a Warrior Wrestling event several weeks ago, Lance Archer was last in action on New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s New Beginning USA tour. Archer had the opportunity to defend the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship against Jon Moxley at Wrestle Kingdom 14 last month and fell in defeat to Moxley.
In a press release issued by AEW, Lance Archer had the following to say about joining the company:
“I’ve been in the business for almost half of my life, but with AEW, I’m setting my sights on the best chapter of my career so far. This company champions the creative, competitive and electrifying environment that I’ve been waiting for my whole career. No matter where I go—no matter who steps in front of me—I’m the one you should be afraid of at AEW.”
Archer spent the majority of his last three years in wrestling with New Japan and while it’s not known if he will continue working with the company or not, he was able to win a Tag League tournament, the U.S. Title and captured the IWGP Tag Team Titles on three separate occasions with Davey Boy Smith Jr.
