Frankie Kazarian, the current TNA Wrestling World Champion, recently shared his experience when he requested his release from AEW in 2022. Being part of AEW’s original lineup since its inception in 2019, Kazarian was initially a key player alongside SCU members Scorpio Sky and Christopher Daniels. In an interview with Chris Van Vleet, Kazarian reflected on signing with AEW and becoming one-half of the first AEW World Tag Team Champions with Scorpio Sky, highlighting their great chemistry and friendship.
Kazarian recounted how his tag team run with Sky was followed by a memorable storyline with Christopher Daniels involving a high-stakes match against the Young Bucks. However, over time, Kazarian felt underutilized, often serving as a utility player, helping to introduce new talent such as Christian and Adam Cole, but rarely getting consistent singles opportunities himself. He expressed frustration with this role, emphasizing his dislike for complacency and the importance he places on dedicating his time to an organization that truly values him.
When Kazarian asked for his release towards the end of 2022, AEW was reportedly surprised, as he had recently signed a three-year contract extension. Despite conversations and options offered, including working on a show-by-show basis, Kazarian insisted on his release to pursue opportunities elsewhere, believing his remaining wrestling years should be spent where he feels appreciated. AEW respected his decision, acknowledging him as both a person and a wrestler.
Kazarian speculated that AEW might not have seen a long-term future for him, which contradicted his recent contract extension. Ultimately, he left AEW and returned to TNA Wrestling in early 2023, where he recently captured the Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy and secured his first TNA World Championship at the age of 48.
Fan Take: This revelation sheds light on the challenges even veteran wrestlers face in AEW’s evolving roster dynamics, highlighting the tough decisions talent must make to pursue their passion and legacy. For AEW fans, it signals the importance of valuing all wrestlers’ contributions, as retaining experienced stars can enrich the sport’s storytelling and in-ring quality.
