A familiar face from the world of sports entertainment made a surprise appearance tonight in Orlando, Florida, as Bishop Dyer—formerly known as Baron Corbin in WWE—competed in a match prior to the live broadcast of AEW Dynamite. The untelevised “bonus match” took place at the Kia Center, adding fuel to the speculation that the former King of the Ring may be inching closer to a full-time deal with All Elite Wrestling. While it remains unknown if the footage will air on television or be used for digital content, the appearance marks Dyer’s most significant step yet into the AEW ecosystem since his WWE departure in 2024.
In the eight-man tag team contest, Dyer joined forces with fellow former WWE talent Martin Stone (formerly Danny Burch) and the independent tag team “Better Together” (Ori Gold and Hadar Horvitz). The eclectic quartet faced a daunting challenge against “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn, his son Austin Gunn, and the rising powerhouse duo of Brady Booker and Elijah Drago. Reports from attendance indicate that Dyer received a strong reaction from the Orlando crowd, many of whom remember his years of development in the same city during his NXT tenure. The match reportedly showcased a looser, harder-hitting style from Dyer, consistent with his recent work on the independent circuit.
Since leaving the WWE system, the 41-year-old has aggressively reinvented himself, shedding the “Baron Corbin” persona to embrace the moniker “Bishop Dyer.” He has been active across various promotions, including appearances for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Major League Wrestling (MLW), and Maple Leaf Pro (MLP). In recent interviews, Dyer has been vocal about his desire to replicate the success of Cody Rhodes by rebuilding his value outside the corporate machine. He has also spoken candidly about the frustrations of his final days in WWE, accusing the company of keeping talent off television as their contracts expire to justify lower offers during negotiations—a tactic he claims motivated him to bet on himself.
Dyer’s appearance comes at a time when AEW is heavily focused on building momentum for its next major pay-per-view. AEW Revolution 2026 is officially set for Sunday, March 15, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking the company’s return to the venue for the second consecutive year. With tickets already on sale and the “Road to Revolution” kicking off, fans will be watching closely to see if Bishop Dyer is officially added to the roster in time to make an impact on the card in California.
Scoop #3: Bishop Dyer, Martin Stone, & Better Together vs Billy Gunn, Austin Gunn, Brady Booker, & Elijah Drago in a Bonus Match pic.twitter.com/uqirUfSgW9
— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) January 22, 2026
