One former AEW talent issued a statement after being released on April 1st.
On the evening of April 1st, news broke that multiple AEW talent cuts were being made. While the company has elected not to renew contracts of lesser-used stars in the past, this marks the first time a group of talent have been cut prior to their contract expiration.
The following names were included in the releases:
- Anthony Henry
- The Tate Twins, also known as “The Boys”
- Stu Grayson
- Gravity
- Dasha Kuret
- Slim J
- Parker Bordeaux
- Jose The Assistant
- Jora Johl
“Stop Sleeping On Me” – Former AEW Talent Slim J
Taking to social media after finding out the news, Slim J issued the following statement:
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked for AEW. Unfortunately yesterday was no April fools joke. I appreciate
@AriyaDaivari for always bringing my name up and believing in me. @CapriceColeman you always put me over. As did @WilliamBehrens Thank you
Thank you to the fans that supported me. My gimmick was trash. I get that. I knew that. My work wasn’t though. I worked my shoot job through both contracts with AEW. My role there was to act rich. I’ve always been far from that in real life. Promise that.
All I wanted to do once I was signed. Was to get my wife and daughter out of the shit hole we live in. They’re my everything by far.i failed. Does it mean I quit. Not at all. Mouths to feed and I’m broke asf. So I’m looking for a second, second job. Stop sleeping on me.
This round of talent releases marks a change in strategy from Tony Khan, who has spoken in the past about treating the company like a family business.