Tony Khan has addressed the recent wave of AEW talent departures during the Revolution media call on March 6, 2025. When questioned about releasing Miro, Malakai Black, Ricky Starks, and Rey Fenix, the AEW President acknowledged a fundamental shift in his approach.
Dave Meltzer specifically asked Khan if his philosophy on releasing talent had changed, considering these prominent departures. Khan confirmed the adjustment in his managerial strategy.
“It’s a change in philosophy,” Khan said. “Things are case by case. I simply decided that it was the best thing to do at this point.
Khan emphasized that each situation was unique, though they ultimately reached similar conclusions. He elaborated on his current perspective regarding talent management.
That’s the thinking behind that. It’s on a case by case basis and they are all different situations. In this case, they did have similar outcomes. It’s fair to ask why now and why I wouldn’t have done that before. I just decided that’s what I thought was the right thing to do at this point.
The string of departures has generated significant discussion throughout the wrestling community. Each talent situation reportedly had distinct circumstances leading to their exits.
According to reports, AEW initially considered releasing Rey Fenix before ultimately reconsidering. Sources indicate Fenix has been seeking an exit from the company.
Speculation suggests Fenix might be looking to join his brother Penta, who reportedly signed with WWE after his AEW contract expired.
The circumstances surrounding the other departures varied considerably. Starks and Miro were both granted release requests, while Black’s contract had reached its conclusion.
This recent talent management approach represents a notable change for AEW, which had previously been reluctant to release performers from their contracts.
The promotion also released Bear Boulder following his arrest, further demonstrating Khan’s evolving approach to roster management.