Eric Young Makes Surprise Admission About Turning Down AEW

Eric Young has opened up about why he decided to turn down AEW in favour of moving to IMPACT Wrestling.

The star re-signed with WWE in November 2022 and was rumoured to be penciled in for involvement in a new stable for Bray Wyatt. However, the faction never came together and Young never returned to television, instead, asking for his release in April 2023.

Despite interest from elsewhere, Young rejoined IMPACT in July, returning at Slammiversary.

During a new interview with Haus of Wrestling, Young was asked whether he spoke with AEW before deciding to head back to his former home. The star revealed that he spoke with friends there, and was aware of interest from Tony Khan, but decided against joining, candidly admitting he’d have just got lost in the shuffle.

“I talked with some friends there and people that I trust, and Tony had kind of mentioned that he was interested, but it just never materialized,” he stated. “And the truth is, I’m just going to get lost in the ether and in the mix like 60 other people there, right? The truth is I don’t have his confidence. Me and him aren’t close in any way, shape, or form.

I’m kind of replacing one set of problems for another, and I have nothing against Tony Khan. From everything I know, he’s a very nice man. I met him a couple of times in passing.

He treats the wrestlers with respect, he pays them very well, and is a very respectful man and a kind man. So, it’s nothing against the product or nothing against him. It’s just not my place. Impact Wrestling is my home, and that’s where I wanted to be. So that’s where I am.”

Eric Young Left WWE Over Moral Concerns

Speaking after his exit from WWE, Eric Young lifted the lid on why he felt he could no longer work for the company. Speaking to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Young said “morally” couldn’t work for the company under the changing conditions and that he doesn’t regret what happened.

Young had re-signed with WWE while Vince McMahon was ‘retired’ but the Executive Chairman returned to the company in January after being engulfed in a sexual misconduct scandal.

“I signed up for one thing and it turned into something completely different, and personally, professionally, and more importantly for me, morally, I just couldn’t work there anymore. If you’re a wrestling fan, you know what’s going on, and I know that you’re a smart guy, Mike, and you’re well aware of what I’m saying and what’s going on.”

After returning to IMPACT, Young has continued to appear on the independent scene.