WWE announced Friday that the company has “come to terms on the release” of cruiserweight competitor Austin Aries, news that surprised the fans and appeared to come out of nowhere.
Initial reports stated that Aries was frustrated with his role in the company and asked to be let out of his contract, but Dave Meltzer is saying otherwise. On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer shed new light on the situation, stating that Aries apparently didn’t ask for his release. The veteran was said to be incredibly unpopular with WWE’s writing staff and others backstage. Aries was definitely not satisfied with the way he was used in WWE, but Meltzer’s report clarifies that the displeasure was mutual and there’s more to the story than Aries simply wanting out.
Aries has the standard 90-day release terms, which will provide him his minimum downside pay until October. Until then, he is free to work shows for ‘approved’ independent promotions (ie. can’t appear for promotions with national TV exposure) until after that period.
Aries made his NXT debut back in March 2016. He worked a few NXT Takeover shows but suffered a bad orbital socket injury in October 2016 that involved titanium plates being permanently implanted in his face. He’d serve as a commentator for NXT and later 205 Live while he recovered and eventually joined the RAW roster as part of the rebooted cruiserweight division. He failed to capture the Cruiserweight Championship after several unsuccessful attempts against reigning champion Neville.
After losing to Neville by submission at Extreme Rules in June 2017, he tweeted:
https://twitter.com/AustinAries/status/871549091477684224
Following the reports of his WWE release, Aries wrote:
https://twitter.com/AustinAries/status/883440263217242112
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