AEW Rampage: Shane Taylor Finally Arrives in AEW

At long last, Shane Taylor has arrived in AEW. Not only that, he has challenged Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland to a match at Final Battle. Taylor has been someone that fans have wanted to see in AEW for a long time, especially after Tony Khan purchased Ring of Honor.

During a backstage segment with Renee Paquette, she asked about his relationship with Swerve. As he was telling her that it was an on-going negotiation when they were interrupted by Taylor.

He address Lee by asking, “what’s with you and leaving family behind? You left Swerve behind two weeks ago. You left JD in Dallas. You left me six years ago. I went on to become the greatest TV champion of all time. But the business between you and I is far from over. So, I say we settle it at Final Battle. Shane T. and JD Griffey and Keith Lee and you may want to find some help, homie.”

Swerve walked up, grinning which prompted Lee to ask if he could even count on him. Swerve removed his sunglasses and looked at Lee, who turned and walked away.

Lee’s history with both men

Taylor and Lee were tag team partners in Ring of Honor and on the indie scene where they wrestled as PBK (Pretty Boy Killers). Lee ended up signing with EVOLVE. In the past, Taylor has openly supported Lee and talked about how close they still are.

After Swerve in Our Glory won the tag team titles, an emotional Lee addressed the crowd after the show ended. He dedicated his match to two of his closest friends, Lucilius King and JD Griffey.

Griffey has wrestled for AEW a few times. He faced Ethan Page on AEW Dark and Tony Nese, also on Dark. Both matches were losses. He was also one of “Smart” Mark Sterling’s Plantiffs that was in the 20 on 1 Handicap Match against WARDLOW.

Lee has connections to all three men in the match and according to Taylor, Lee left them all behind.  His relationship with his tag team partner is already strained. Will Swerve be able to put what happened at Full Gear behind him? Will Taylor and Griffey make him pay for abandoning them? Will Swerve align with them against his own partner?

Final Battle will take place on Saturday, December 10 at 4 PM ET on Bleacher/Report in the US and FITE internationally. It will be live from Arlington, Texas.