The wrestling world is buzzing! Bishop Dyer, formerly the formidable Baron Corbin in WWE, recently stepped into the AEW ring for a surprise appearance, and the reception was anything but what he expected!
It all started with a bit of a travel scramble. Bishop Dyer was heading to Orlando to meet up with his "people" and to pick up Big Show for an event. However, a sudden snowstorm in Dallas caused a shake-up in AEW's schedule, leading to a last-minute addition of a Collision show after Dynamite. This unexpected change created an opportunity.
Dyer, ever the prepared wrestler, always keeps his gear with him – a golden rule in the business! Upon arriving, he ran into Billy Gunn, a veteran he deeply respects and considers a mentor. Billy Gunn was involved in a "dark match" (a match not typically shown on the main broadcast, often for testing or fan engagement) with his son, Austin. Billy, seeing Dyer, extended an invitation: "Hey, man, do you want to be in this dark match with us?"
Dyer was immediately on board, and thankfully, AEW's Tony Khan was happy to oblige. "Yeah, dude, let him go. Let Bishop Dyer do his thing and have fun in this dark match and be a part of the show," Khan reportedly said, welcoming Dyer with open arms. Dyer expressed his admiration for the AEW talent, noting it was great to see familiar faces and meet new ones he'd like to work with in the future.
But here's where it gets interesting... Dyer admitted he was a little apprehensive about how the AEW crowd, known for their passionate and sometimes unpredictable reactions, would receive him. "I didn’t know how that crowd was going to react to me. AEW crowd is definitely a different species, and they can get wild and get crazy," he confessed.
And this is the part most people miss: When he made his entrance, the crowd erupted with a massive pop! "Oh, baby, there it is. That’s the feeling," Dyer exclaimed, clearly thrilled by the positive energy. While some fans might still be getting used to his new ring name, Bishop Dyer, his recognizable face immediately connected with the audience. The Tron display showed "Bishop Dyer is my music," and for those in the know, the excitement was palpable. When he stepped into the light, thousands of people rose to their feet and cheered. This was a stark contrast to his usual career of eliciting boos.
Dyer reflected on the experience, stating, "There's nothing in this world that feels like that when you get that reaction, booing or cheering." This moment highlights the powerful connection between a performer and a live audience, regardless of whether the reaction is positive or negative.
What do you think? Is the AEW crowd more receptive to established stars, or was this a sign of Bishop Dyer's enduring appeal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
