Joey Janela was one of AEW’s original signees when the company first formed in 2019, taking part in the inaugural Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing that year.
After making a name for himself on the independent circuit, Janela came into AEW with a chip on his shoulder, with enthralling hardcore matches early on with Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, and Darby Allin continuing to do wonders for his career. His Lights Out match vs. Omega, aired on the second episode of Dark, received widespread praise. The two later had a rematch on Dynamite.
However, as the company continued to grow and take on talent both from the independent world as well as stars who’d left WWE, Janela’s presence dwindled. His last Dynamite appearance came on in May of 2021 as he was seen mostly on YouTube broadcasts of AEW Dark and Dark: Elevation. He last wrestled for the company in January of 2022, and he became a free agent when his contract expired on May 1st, 2022.
“I Can See Myself Signing With WWE” – Former AEW Star Joey Janela
The star has remained a force on the independent scene, and speaking in a new interview with Nick Hausman for Haus of Wrestling, Janela revealed that he has aspirations of joining WWE within the next three years.
“I have goals right now, and one of them is the WWE,” he stated. “I’ve talked to people about it, and stuff, but not now, not anytime soon. I’m still 33. I’ve always said over the last five years, I can see myself signing to WWE when I’m 36. I don’t know why. 36? I don’t know. But I still have goals in Japan. I have goals. I’m having fun.
“I don’t have to deal with any politics. I don’t have to deal with people giving me shit for what I say on the internet. So, we’ll see, but WWE is always the goal. If WWE is not the goal for you, and you’re in the wrestling business, I don’t know what’s wrong with you because the dream is to wrestle at WrestleMania, and it should be the dream for everyone.”