Wardlow walks alone, potentially into pits of danger.
The Dark Order has fallen on hard times. The group formed in AEW in 2019, and it eventually grew into a sizable stable that featured Alan Angels, 10 (Preston Vance), Anna Jay, Colt Cabana, Stu Grayson, Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds and John Silver. After Brodie Lee passed away, the faction had a fairly prominent run as a babyface group, but throughout 2022, the Dark Order lost several members.
Angels and Grayson departed AEW, while Cabana mostly shifted over to the Ring of Honor roster. Plus, Jay and Preston Vance both left the group and aligned with the Jericho Appreciation Society and La Faccion Ingobernable, respectively. For the past several weeks, Uno, Reynolds, and Silver have been trying to find new members. They previously tried to recruit Adam Cole, but Uno ruined it by calling him Budge.
On the newest episode of Being The Elite, Uno tried to make up for his mistake by swinging for the fences with a new pitch. He suggested that the group should try to recruit Wardlow because they love "meaty nen", and Silver liked the idea, as he called Wardlow a "big cut of beef." The trio then approached the former TNT Champion, and Silver complimented him.
John Silver: Wardlow, Wardlow, Wardlow. Yummy, yummy, yummy, I want Wardlow in my tummy. You’re looking good. [Looks at Wardlow’s butt.] You’re looking real good.
Wardlow responded by giving them fist bumps, and Uno joked that he'd never wash his hand again. Silver then praised Wardlow's hair cut before he dove into his pitch.
JS: You’re looking beefy. You’re looking strong. I like the cut. I like a nice cut on a man. I like a man with a good cut. You know what I’m talking about? I’m talking about your hair. Love the cut.
Evil Uno: Let’s just get down to it.
JS: Wardlow, as you know, we’re recruiting for the Dark Order, and you’re kind of by yourself right now, and you got a few enemies, and we kinda wondering, hey Wardlow, would you like to join the Dark Order?
EU: You want to link arms with these boys?
JS: We could be a couple of big, buff boys. Four buff boys. Say it with me. We got four buff boys over here. We got four buff boys!
Wardlow: You guys are very persistent, I will give you that.
Alex Reynolds: we really want you in.
Wardlow explained that he walks alone, and both Silver and Reynolds pointed out that he was referencing Batista. Silver then suggested that Wardlow could practice powerbombing him. Reynolds and Silver both asked the "WarDog" to pin him.
Wardlow: I appreciate once again the offer, but guys, you know I walk alone.
JS: You walk alone? Like Batista?
EU: Into a potential pit of danger?
Wardlow: I’m just saying I do my own thing, lone wolf, I walk alone.
JS: Yeah, like Batista. It’s his theme song, that’s what he says.
EU: So no?
AR: Look, we get it. Just think about what you could do with us as part of the Dark Order.
JS: You could practice powerbombs on me as much as you want.
EU: Any day.
JS: Pick me up, slam me.
AR: Pin me, WarDaddy.
Wardlow: I could lift you up. Don’t get too excited.
JS: Pin me, Daddy Wardlow. Pin me!
Wardlow remained persistent, as he told the trio that they wouldn't want him in the group because he's an animal. Again, they pointed out that he was borrowing from Batista. Wardlow thought they were talking about Dave Bautista, the actor, and rated his "Knock at the Cabin" movie two thumbs up, though others gave it two thumbs down, which was another reference to Batista.
Wardlow: Listen, you guys wouldn’t want a guy like me. I’m just an animal.
JS: That’s two.
EU: Alright, you’re definitely doing a Batista thing.
JS: Animal, Batista. He’s the animal.
Wardlow: what are you guys talking about? Are you talking about Dave Bautista, the actor?
EU: Yes, as well, yes.
JS: He was a wrestler.
Wardlow: Like "Knock at the Cabin" Dave Bautista? He’s a actor. I just saw "Knock at the Cabin". Two thumbs up, man. Some people gave it thumbs down.
JS: Okay, okay. You can’t just do two thumbs down. That's Batista.
EU: You’re playing with us.
AR: I don’t mean to get angry, but this is a Batista thing. Thumbs up, thumbs down.
The former TNT Champion decided that he had enough, so he wrapped up the conversation, but he wanted the trio's input on something he was thinking about adding into his presentation. He described how he was considering changing his entrance, and he mimicked Batista's routine, which only fired up the Dark Order trio even more.
Wardlow: Listen, as per usual, you guys are making it super fucking weird. I don’t know what the fuck’s going on here, so I’m gonna go. But listen, don’t let this hinder our friendship. I still love you guys, you’re still my favorite trio. I appreciate you guys. One last thing before I go, since we are friends. I need an honest opinion. I was thinking of a new little thing for my entrance. I want your guys’ opinion. I was thinking about, when I come out on the stage right at the top, doing a little something like [slaps thigh and mimics Batista’s entrance].
JS/AR: That’s Batista! Uno: You’re fucking with us!
JS: That’s Dave Bautista. Big Dave. Dude, I don’t even know what to say.
Wardlow: You know what, you guys seem super hostile about it. Take the week to think about it and let me know. See you guys. I love you guys.
Wardlow then walked away, and when he was out of earshot, the Dark Trio trio admitted tjat the new entrance move was good for him.
JS: honestly I think it’d be great for him.
EU: I think it would really compliment his whole new look.
AR: It looked hot.
Wardlow previously compared the trajectory of his career to that of Batista. Check out his comments here.
Jeff Jarrett recently discussed AEW's process of launching live events. Click here to see what he had to say.
Check out the card for this week's episode of AEW Dynamite here.
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