Soon after the official announcement on WWEs new mobile alert system that WWE and Tyson Tomko had come to terms on his release, WWE.com spoke with Tomko via cell phone to get the whole story and ask where he goes from here:

WWE.com: Is it true that you requested your release from WWE to go work in Japan?

Tyson Tomko: Thats correct.

WWE.com: What prompted that decision?

Tomko: It was a mutual agreement between me and WWE. I talked to WWE officials and theres not anything going on with me right now. So, rather than sit around, Im taking matters into my own hands. Im going to go over to Japan. Ive always admired the style there  the brutality. Im a big fan of Bruiser Brody. And I just want to go over there and experience that. And while theres a lull in my career here at WWE, I decided to take the opportunity to go over to Japan and hone my skills.

WWE.com: Do you feel you were underutilized or improperly used in WWE?

Tomko: I think its easy to say that I was underutilized, but I think what would be more politically correct to say is that you underutilized yourself. I think I can and will be a bigger asset to this company.

WWE.com: What kind of opportunity would you need in WWE to show that you can be a bigger asset?

Tomko: I dont think it was anything I was doing. The bottom line is that people sit by sometimes  and Ive seen it happen to a handful of guys  where they just sit around and dont do anything about their career. But I know I can be a top-caliber athlete for this company. I just think that rather than sit around and wait for the opportunity, Im going to take it. Instead of waiting around for a handout, Im going to go make my opportunity. Then, Im going to come back and theres going to be no question as to my ability at that point.

WWE.com: Do you have any plans finalized for wrestling with a particular promotion in Japan?

Tomko: Theres nothing completely finalized. I have been in talks as recently as this morning, and there had been e-mail communication. So, I cant go on record as of this point, but Im definitely  with 100 percent certainty  going to be appearing in Japan within the next couple of months.

WWE.com: Looking back, how do you feel about your time in WWE?

Tomko: Very positive. I think Ive gone out on a good note and everything Ive done here had been a testament to my abilities. I think that if I went any further without doing what Im doing, then it could have jeopardized my stature, if you will. So, Im going to take a step backward and go five steps forward.