"That's how the locker room gets poisoned" - WWE veteran lashes out at Tony Khan for implementing doctrine regarding AEW release requests (Exclusive)

Former WWE head writer Vince Russo has blasted AEW president Tony Khan for taking the approach of not releasing talent from his roster even if they are unhappy.

With Khan coming from a sporting background such as Fulham FC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the AEW president is used to contracts being allowed to expire or people being bought out of their contracts by another team. However, things work a little bit differently in the wrestling industry.

To make it more like a sports team environment, Khan implemented a rule where he was not going to release anyone unless there were extreme circumstances. This resulted in Andrade El Idolo actively trying to get himself fired from the company by getting into a fight with Sammy Guevara backstage.

One person who thinks this is a horrible idea is Vince Russo, who stated on The Wrestling Outlaws with Dr. Chris Featherstone and former WWE Superstar EC3 that Khan's idea will poison the locker room.

"I swear like Tony Khan did an interview like a week ago or whatever I lose track because he does ten a day, but he basically came out and said ‘I’m not allowing anybody out of their contracts.’ I’m sorry but I don’t know how I could be an employer and I know somebody does not want to work for me, but I’m going to keep—I’m going to make him work for me because EC3 will tell you bro, that’s how the locker room gets poisoned," said Russo. [From 6:49 to 7:21]

Russo also stated that he doesn't think it's good for business when there is someone in the locker room who thinks they are bigger than the company:

"When somebody doesn’t want to be there and you’re forcing them to be there, I just don’t think that’s good for freaking business. You don’t want to be here? Go. You’re not bigger than this company. Go." [From 7:22 to 7:38]

You can watch the full clip from The Wrestling Outlaws right here:

Tony Khan has let AEW talent go in the past, but only in specific circumstances

AEW might seem impossible to get out of for some people right now, but Tony Khan has let multiple names leave his company over the years, including some of All Elite Wrestling's top stars.

Khan has happily let names like Cody Rhodes, Jack Evans, and Joey Janela leave the company after their contracts expire, while others like AXA and Kylie Rae were released so they could focus on their mental health.

There have been more controversial exits from AEW in its short history, with announcer Willie Urbina getting himself fired for racist remarks while performing Spanish commentary, while Jimmy Havoc was let go from the company in the wake of the "#SpeakingOut" movement in 2020.

Do you think Tony Khan will let more AEW talent go in the future? Let us know in the comments section down below!

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