Several AEW talents have been released by the company.
On Monday, April 1st, news broke that a total of 10 contracted AEW talents have been informed that their services are no longer required. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and PWInsider reported the releases as no official statement has been made by All Elite Wrestling or Tony Khan.
The released names are as follows:
- Anthony Henry
- The Tate Twins, also known as “The Boys”
- Stu Grayson
- Gravity
- Dasha Fuentes
- Slim J
- Parker Bordeaux
- Jose The Assistant
- Jora Johl
Many of the names above have not been featured on weekly TV for a number of months and last competed on Rampage or Ring of Honor.
When asked why this round of releases has taken place, PWInsider reports that sources within the company believe “AEW is currently evaluating their talent roster and making cuts to benefit both the company and the talents.” Unlike WWE releases, it is believed that all the above names have no non-competes attached to their release and are now free agents.
The round of releases is extremely rare as most exits from the company have been due to gross misconduct or talent asking for their releases.
Anthony Henry admitted he was devastated by the news and teased retirement from professional wrestling. Meanwhile, Slim J also issued an emotional statement after being released.
Tony Khan Previously Discussed Loyalty To AEW Talent
In the short time that AEW has been established as a company, WWE has released more than 100 members of the roster, on-air personalities and office staff during the pandemic and following the merger with the UFC under Endeavor ownership. During a press conference in September 2023, Tony Khan said the following about how he runs his own company as opposed to one that is publicly traded:
“There’s not a lot of loyalty at times and there should be and this is a family business. We’re not a public company.
“Even if I get punched in the face with circumstances, it doesn’t mean I’m gonna take it out on the staff by cutting 100 staff or laying off 30 wrestlers, and I really care about the people here. I would do anything I can to protect the jobs and the livelihood of the people that work here, and that’s a family business, and that’s the difference between a family business and a public company in a lot of ways. And not every family business has those principles, but we do, and that’s just how I was raised.”