Mike Bailey has opened up about the thought process behind joining United Empire in AEW, admitting he was hesitant to commit to another group before ultimately making the move. The surprise alignment took place on the September 23 episode of AEW Dynamite, when “Speedball” unexpectedly threw his support behind the faction.
Speaking with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Bailey said he had reservations about joining another group and described it as interesting to operate as a lone wolf beforehand. His comments suggest that the decision to join United Empire was not one he arrived at immediately, but rather something he weighed carefully given his standing as an independent competitor in AEW.
Since making the move to United Empire, Bailey has not lost a match, a run that has added momentum to his new alliance within the group. Whether that unbeaten stretch is a direct product of the faction’s backing or simply a wave of form coinciding with the decision, it has become a notable talking point around his character since September 23.
United Empire’s roster in AEW has given Bailey a support system he previously operated without, marking a shift from his prior run as a singles competitor unaffiliated with any stable. His remarks to Fightful indicate the transition carried some internal deliberation rather than being a straightforward business decision, reflecting on what it meant to give up his independence as a lone wolf in exchange for group backing.
The interview did not detail specific plans for Bailey within United Empire going forward, nor did it confirm any upcoming matches or storyline direction tied to the alignment. What is established is the timeline of the join, which took place during the September 23 Dynamite broadcast, and Bailey’s own characterization of his hesitancy leading up to that decision, as relayed in his conversation with Fightful.
