AEW Name Says Cutting Ties With WWE Was A ‘Difficult Decision’

AEW/WWE

A recent AEW signing has described the decision to cut ties with WWE “difficult,” however, he feels as if his new home is a “great fit.”

In December 2025, Mick Foley announced that he would no longer be associating himself with WWE once his legends deal expired the following June.

Foley’s decision was due to WWE’s relationship with the President Donald Trump regime in the US, with Trump’s comments in regards to the passing of actor Rob Reiner being the tipping point for the WWE Hall of Famer.

Following much speculation, Foley would then be announced to be making his first appearance in AEW as the co-host of the Double or Nothing 2026 Buy-In pre-show, alongside Renee Paquette.

After this appearance it was confirmed that Foley was officially “All Elite”, and while he couldn’t appear at last night’s Forbidden Door event, reportedly due to other commitments, he looks set to be a valuable addition to the company going forward.

Speaking with Going Ringside, Foley addressed how his AEW move came about:

“I’d admired the show, I’d loved the show.

“I knew Tony Khan from way back and they had a spot on their roster for me and it felt like a great fit and I’m happy to be there.”

The former three-time WWE Champion would later open up about his experience working with AEW President Tony Khan, with Foley noting the difference in the atmosphere behind the curtain in his new home, compared to WWE.

Foley said:

“It’s really fun for me to just watch how much Tony loves it. I’m not gonna knock the other organization, but let’s just say when you came through the curtain it was a different type of experience.

“I love the idea that he loves it and he makes it really clear that he loves what he’s doing.”

Foley would then discuss his WWE exit, noting that it was a difficult decision to make, but one that he’s “okay with”

“It was a difficult decision to make to cut ties with them.

“I hadn’t been employed by them for many years, I was an independent contractor. But I did have a merchandising deal. I had a couple really easy high paying events at WrestleMania weekend.

“So as it turned out I had to work 24 hours on my own to make what I would gave made in four with WWE. But I’m okay with that, I believe if you want something you got after it and you work hard for it.”

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It’s unclear when we will next see Mick Foley on AEW programming, however, Tony Khan has publicly stated that there is a “high likelihood” that Foley will be at the company’s next PPV: Redemption on July 26.

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• AEW
• wwe
• Mick Foley

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