Rhyno will be leaving WWE when his contract comes up this summer. During a recent discussion with Chris Van Vliet, the former ECW World Champion reveals he turned down a substantial pay increase in order to leave the company.
“July 17th is my last date there,” Rhyno said. “They actually offered me more than twice my downside but it wasn’t where they would have to use me because the downside is so large and it wasn’t about money it was about me wanting to be on the road work and helping the younger guys kind of like a player-coach.”
Rhyno Leaving WWE
Ultimately, however, Rhyno told WWE he was not going to re-sign.
“It was a mutual understanding that we were not going to figure out a number. And they’ve been great, I can’t say anything bad about them. I had a lot of fun. I was afraid that they would say yes to a larger downside than what they offered me because I was afraid that they would still sit me at home.”
It seems Rhyno doesn’t want to take a pay increase if it means he still won’t be used.
“I came back and I said I want to be on the road,” Rhyno continued. I feel good, I feel very blessed that my health is there. My job is to find the next John Cena, the next Stone Cold Steve Austin, the next Rock and how can I help these guys if I’m not on the road? If I’m sitting at my marina, that’d be nice I’d be very fortunate to do that, but I can’t help those younger men and women improve.”
Rhyno continued to mention some promotions where he feels he could benefit their younger stars.
“On the indies, I can do that (help younger wrestlers). And with other companies whether it’s AEW, Impact, Ring of Honor or New Japan I’ve done that before in the past and that’s something I can do now in the future.”
Watch: Rhyno talks with Chris Van Vliet:
