Two WWE Names Pulled From Independent Wrestling Show With AEW Ties

WWE/AEW

Two WWE names have been pulled from an independent wrestling show that has a tie to AEW’s recently launched streaming service.

PRODUCE Wrestling was recently announced as an addition to the MyAEW streaming service, with the independent wrestling promotion’s pay-per-view events set to stream live.

With PRODUCE: Volume 2 taking place in July, it has now been confirmed that two stars signed to the WWE ID program have been removed from the show.

Former WWE ID Champion Chazz “Starboy” Hall will no longer be in attendance “due to obligations” to the development program, with PRODUCE tweeting:

“Chazz “Starboy” Hall will no longer be competing on PRODUCE: Volume 2 due to obligations to WWE’s Independent Development program.

“A replacement will be named shortly.”

Also no longer appearing on the July 16 show is Marcus Mathers, who was announced as an entrant in the Magic Ticket Battle Royal, with PRODUCE stating:

“Marcus Mathers will no longer be appearing at PRODUCE: Volume 2.

“We wish Marcus the best of luck on his journey to WWE.

“A replacement will be named.”

While it was not explicitly stated as the reason why Mathers and Hall were pulled, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer agreed that it was “pretty clear” that PRODUCE airing on MyAEW was the reason for the decision.

Speaking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Alvarez said:

“Seems pretty clear what’s going on here. WWE does not want ID talent on a promotion airing on MyAEW.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Hall held the WWE ID Championship until his defeat at the hands of Max Abrams at the June 26 ID Showcase, which took place at The Nightmare Factory.

Independent Doesn’t Mean What We May Think

Signed to the WWE ID program, independent wrestlers can continue to work on that scene, benefiting from the mentorship of the TKO-owned company.

As a proposition, it’s a strong one for independent wrestlers, recognizing their ability and opening up an inroad into a potential WWE future, with the likes of Vanity Project benefiting from their association with the program and seeing a degree of success on NXT.

While the stars signed to WWE ID may continue to be independent wrestlers, they do appear to have to give priority to the company that has signed them to the deal, as has been seen in this case.

It isn’t the first time that the former Starboy Charlie has been pulled from a show due to “obligations”, having previously been removed from a Big Time Wrestling event. The aforementioned Rourke would also be removed from a show due to “contractual obligations“, leading to the relevant promoters in both cases having to source a suitable substitute.

Clearly, there are upsides for independent talent to sign under the WWE ID program, and for promotions to continue to use them, particular when there’s an established relationship.

At the time of writing, the specifics of the obligation in question is not known, with there being a likelihood it could relate to an ID Showcase elsewhere or an EVOLVE taping; however, there is a arguably a curiosity that PRODUCE and Limitless are both streaming content on MyAEW.

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• wwe id
• Marcus Mathers
• Chazz 'Starboy' Hall
• Chazz Hall
• Produce Wrestling
• AEW
• wwe

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