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Eric Bischoff Questions Future Of Recent WWE Release

By Craig Ballantyne • Published 27th September 2023
Eric Bischoff at WWE Hall of Fame

Eric Bischoff believes a recently released WWE star is committed, but questions their ambitions.

On September 21st, Elias was one of over 20 stars to be released from their contracts. The Drifter had been part of the company for nearly a decade and had been involved in storylines with the likes of John Cena and Seth Rollins.

Despite these high-profile rivalries, the star was never able to reach main event status in the company and the only title he held was the 24/7 Championship.

According to Eric Bischoff on the latest edition of Strictly Business, this wasn’t due to a lack of commitment.

“Harder one to get a feel for. I did work with him quite a bit for the short period of time I was in WWE. We talked pretty regularly and talked about his character and ways to improve and take different approaches to things. I just got the impression that he was committed and a very talented guy.”

Bischoff then turned to what will come next for Elias, something he is unsure of due to the star’s age.

“He wasn’t afraid to go out and try things that were new. I just don’t know what his ambition is. He’s not young, at some point in time, you reach a certain age in your late thirties or early forties that you’ve got to kind of make up your mind whether you’re going to pursue this line of work for the next twenty years, or maybe you’re still young enough, shift gears and do something else while you’re still young enough to do it.

“I think for someone like Elias, in his age group, I think that discussion is more internal than external — external meaning, I wonder if Tony Khan is interested in me, I wonder if I could go to IMPACT or whatever, I wonder if I can make a couple hundred grand on the indie scene for the next couple of years. That’s a great conversation to have with yourself when you’re in your early twenties or thirties, it’s a little bit more uncomfortable if you’re in your late thirties, early forties.”

Elias commented on his WWE departure

Although his time in the company was cut short, Elias has looked back on it with fond memories. Addressing his exit on social media, the star said it had been “a blast.”

“From Drifting onto the scene..

To WrestleMania with John Cena & The Undertaker..

To Millions around the world for years Walking With Elias..

A #1 ITunes Album & To being my own younger brother (ZEKE) while traveling the world..

It’s been a blast.

God is Good!”

H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.