Backstage News On Austin Aries' WWE Release, What WWE Claims, Original Contract Details, More
On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE is stating that they released Austin Aries and that it wasn't Aries that asked for his release. Meltzer noted that while he was told that Aries did not asked to be released, he was thrilled when he was. Aries had signed a three-year deal early last year, so if Aries had quit on his own, WWE could have held him to that and he wouldn't have been able to wrestle until early 2019.
Aries had been unhappy backstage and Meltzer noted that he was upset that his pre-show match with Neville at WrestleMania 33 was not included on the DVD, so neither wrestler received any royalties from it.
As previously reported, Aries reportedly had some heat backstage. Meltzer said that a lot of people, including the writing team, did not like him.
Aries has a standard 90 non-compete, and will be paid his downside during that period. He will be be able to work independent shows during that period that WWE approves of. He will be eligible to wrestle anywhere else – like NJPW or GFW – in early October.