The Dark Order continues to come up empty in its recruitment efforts.
The stable has been featured in AEW since 2019, the company's inaugural year. The group enjoyed some success, but it went through some major changes throughout 2022, as Stu Grayson, Anna Jay, Tay Melo, and Preston Vance all left the group, while Colt Cabana has mostly transitioned to Ring of Honor. Evil Uno, John Reynolds, and John Silver remain the faction's remaining members, and they have been trying to recruit new members in recent weeks. The trio is reaching for the stars, as they tried to bring in Adam Cole, despite their previous feud.
On the newest episode of Being The Elite, Cole returned to the show after a lengthy absence due to an injury. He reunited with Silver and Reynolds and noted that while they didn't part on great terms, he missed them. They made it clear that they missed him too. The duo also complimented Cole for being so handsome. Reynolds particularly praised Cole's smile.
Adam Cole: Guys, I know it’s been a while, and I know that when I left a few months ago, we didn’t leave on necessarily a good foot. But honest to god, I really, really miss you guys. I really do. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I even missed the kiss on the cheek. It’s so good to see you both.
John Silver: it’s so good to have you back. We missed you missed you so much.
Alex Reynolds: ‘It’s so good to see you.
AC: It’s great to be back. I missed you.
JS: You’re so handsome.
AR: I miss your smile.
AC: When I see you guys, I can’t help but smile.
Silver then pitched the idea of having Cole join the Dark Order, given the way he likes groups. Cole then revealed that he hated being called "Budge", and the duo apologized and expressed their regret. They stated that they could call him "Adam Cole, Bay Bay" instead, and he clearly liked the idea. He was seemingly in the verge of accepting the offer.
JS: Old memories are coming back, and I can’t help but smile. We love this. I hope you had a good time on your time off, but we were thinking, you’re by yourself now.
AR: It’s dangerous territory.
JS: It is dangerous territory. I know you’re a big fan of groups, you love groups.
AC: I do love groups.
JS: We were kind of wondering, we have an opening in the Dark Order. Maybe you’d like to just come on by?
AC: I’m just speaking freely here. I don’t hate the idea. Actually I kind of love the idea. The only thing though is that I’ve always hated that whole buddy thing. I hated it.
JS: I thought you liked it. That’s why we did it.
AR: You never told us.
AC: No, no. It’s my least favorite thing since I’ve been here.
JS: Oh my god, I feel terrible.
AC: It put me in such a bad mood all the time. But if we can work on that, I mean…
AR: Done. Adam…
JS: Adam Cole, bay bay.
AC: That’s it!
JS: That’s what I’m gonna call you now. Call you ‘Bay Bay.’
AR: You can do it with the Dark Order pose, the Dark Order hands.
AC: That would be cool. That would be pretty cool.
Evil Uno arrived on the scene and promptly called Cole "Budge." In doing so, he ruined the way Cole was vibing with Reynolds and Silver, as his frustration was immediately apparent. Silver and Reynolds tried to stop Uno, but the damage was done, as Cole told the duo he'd "sleep on it", which came as a contract to his near acceptance just moments prior.
Evil Uno: Hey, what’s up, budge?
AR: Dude
Uno: What? You’re John. That’s Budge.
AR: Don’t, don't.
AC: Guys, it’s so good to see you both. Let me sleep on it, okay?
Cole then walked away as Uno said he had he had a spot in his bed if Cole wanted to sleep there. Reynolds tried to tell Cole that Uno didn't knpw any better, but it was already too late. Silver then grabbed Uno and lashed out at him, clearly upset that his "Budge" comment had foiled their efforts.
JS: We almost had him! We almost had him.
EU: What are you talking about?
AR: I will rip your eyeballs out.
EU: my eyeballs?
JS: I will bite your balls right off of your balls.
EU: what is going on? What did I walk into?
JS: we were this close
AR: You screwed everything up again.
Reynolds was also upset because Evil Uno never called the Bollywood Boyz (Gurv Sihra & Harv Sihra) after he previously pitched the idea of recruiting them.
Uno had also suggested reaching out to Rick Ross, but the group decided against that. More information is available here.
Check out the card for this week's episode of AEW Dynamite here.
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