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Toronto, ON – Brody King and Bandido are the new AEW World Tag Team Champions, capping a thrilling three-way match at Forbidden Door with a victory that feels less like a sudden ascent and more like the culmination of a long-simmering partnership. The duo spoke with reporters following their win, revealing a bond built over eight years of shared experiences on the independent circuit, in Ring of Honor, and on international tours. AEW President Tony khan, visibly pleased, emphasized the organic nature of their chemistry, a sentiment echoed by both champions.
From Indie Darlings to AEW Champions: A Decade in the Making
“Our friendship, like Tony said, goes back a long time – about eight years,” explained a visibly energized Brody King. “we did the Indies together. He signed to Ring of Honor at the same time as me. We went to Japan for the first time together, Australia together. Lots of history. We’ve wrestled a lot with each other. You naturally know what someone’s going to do when you’ve shared so many rings.”
This pre-existing understanding proved crucial in their seamless performance at Forbidden Door, allowing them to anticipate each other’s moves and capitalize on opportunities. The victory isn’t simply about two talented wrestlers joining forces; it’s about the payoff of years spent honing their craft together.
A Gesture of Respect: raúl Jiménez Honors Bandido
The post-match press conference took a touching turn when Tony Khan presented Bandido with a signed jersey from Raúl Jiménez, the celebrated striker for Fulham Football Club and the Mexican national team.
“This is a gift from somebody very, very special in my professional life,” khan stated, explaining that Jiménez is the Mexican national team’s current leading goal scorer. “I’m giving this to somebody important in my life in ROH and now in AEW, too.”
An emotional Bandido accepted the gift, offering heartfelt thanks in Spanish to both Khan and Jiménez, a testament to the deep respect and cultural connection Khan clearly values. The gesture underscored the growing international appeal of AEW and its commitment to recognizing its stars’ roots.
A Challenge to the Division: Bring On the competition
now firmly established as the top tag team in AEW, king and Bandido didn’t shy away from addressing potential challengers. When asked about the recently reunited duo of Adam Copeland (formerly Edge) and Christian Cage, King issued a direct challenge.”Please,” he said with a grin.”I’ve had my history with Adam Copeland. We’ve had some history with Christian as well. I’d be willing to mix it up with those guys any day of the week. The rest of the AEW tag division is getting stronger and stronger by the day. So anyone that wants to step up, step up.”
This bold statement signals their intent to dominate the division and reinforces their confidence in their ability to overcome any obstacle. The gauntlet has been thrown down.
Eyes on Buddy matthews’ Return & celebrating “Homegrown” Talent
The conversation also touched on the status of house of Black stablemate Buddy Matthews, currently sidelined with an injury. King expressed hope for Matthews’ swift recovery. “I hope that Buddy is at home healing,and I hope that he is happy for me,” King said. “But when the time comes and he comes back, then, we always have the trios titles.”
Ultimately, King emphasized the importance of their win as a victory for AEW’s developmental system. ”I will say that right now, I think it is really awesome that two AEW home grown guys are now the Tag Team Champions again, and hopefully it stays that way for a while,” he concluded.
Khan wholeheartedly agreed, adding, “It’s great to see homegrown stars.” This sentiment highlights AEW’s commitment to nurturing talent from within and providing a platform for wrestlers to reach their full potential.
“Our friendship, like Tony said, goes back a long time – about eight years… You naturally know what someone’s going to do when you’ve shared so many rings.” – brody King AEW Press Conference, June 30, 2024
“This is a gift from somebody very, very special in my professional life… I’m giving this to somebody critically important in my life in ROH and now in AEW, too.” – Tony Khan AEW Press Conference, June 30, 2024
Note: This article is based on information released at the AEW Forbidden Door press conference on June 30, 2024.