AEW Denies Ex-WWE Star’s Release Request
A former WWE star has requested her release from AEW.
Tay Melo first gained traction due to her time in WWE, where she wrestled under the ring name Taynara Conti. However, she was released from the company in 2020 due to the budget cuts.
Following her WWE release, Tay Melo went to AEW and found instant success in the Jacksonville-based promotion. She became a regular feature on AEW TV. Tay Melo also formed a tag team with Anna Jay. They were both also involved in the Jericho Appreciation Society. Over the years, Tay Melo has become one of the most beloved stars on the roster. When Tony Khan introduced the Women’s Tag Team Championships, Tay Melo and Anna Jay made it clear that they wanted to win tag team gold. However, that didn’t end up happening. In recent months, Tay’s prominence on TV has diminished. In fact, she last competed on the 6th June episode of AEW Collision when she and Anna Jay challenged Lena Kross and Megan Bayne for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. It now looks like she might be done with Tony Khan’s company.
AEW has reportedly denied Tay Melo’s release
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, Tay Melo asked for her release last year, but AEW did not grant it. He also reported that he isn’t sure when her contract expires. Regarding her husband, Sammy Guevara, Bryan Alvarez said that he is still with the company, but his AEW career is also up in the air at the moment.
“Now, there was an incident, I had multiple people tell me about this over the last couple of days. There was something that happened about a year ago, and Tay Melo did ask for her release. And it was, she was not granted her release, but she did ask for it. And, you know, I think that, I don’t know when her deal is up. Maybe her deal is up soon, and so he also wants out. I don’t know if he actually wants out. He may just be trying to mess with people on Twitter, or he may actually want out. But what I can tell you 100% is he is still with AEW, his deal is not up, and he has not been released.” [H/T ITRWrestling]
“Nobody in AEW seems to know what’s up with Sammy Guevara right now. Multiple sources told me that Tay Melo requested a release last year but it was denied.
It’s expected we will know what’s up when everyone gets to TV tomorrow.”
– Bryan Alvarez
(@WONF4W) pic.twitter.com/7AMZDViQQp— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) July 21, 2026
It remains to be seen what’s next for Tay Melo.
Also read: Could Vince McMahon Be Heading To AEW?
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