Slim J reflects on his time with AEW.
Slim J was a member of The Trustbusters in AEW/ROH for nearly two years. He debuted in July 2022, and he continued to compete on ROH programming until he was released in a wave of cuts in April 2024.
Speaking on Talking Indys, Slim J commented on his time with AEW.
"I was per-appearance through AEW. I already had my insurance through my job, luckily. But if I wasn’t and trying to live off of it, I mean, the majority of people when they get signed, regardless of the contract, are like, ‘I’m a wrestler now, yeah. I made it, this is how I do it. This is all I do.’ No, you better keep grinding man, you better keep working," Slim J said.
Slim J continued by noting that it was rare to truly make it in wrestling, and he noted that plenty of people did not even get an opportunity to get a shot the way that he did. As for his experience in AEW, he stated that he did not get used to his potential. Slim J also recalled Tony Schiavone calling him to let him know about his release.
"This business isn’t a money-driven kind of thing. It few and far, it’s kind of like NFL or anything to make it there. There are so many people that have not made it, or even got the opportunity to make it for a shot in front of these same people that I’ve got numerous opportunities, and I finally got the contracts. Did I get used well? Did I get used to my potential? No, but that’s the name of the game. Am I disappointed in that? Yeah. But is that gonna break me down and break me? Hell no. I’ve got so many shit sandwich stories that I could tell you where I just choked them down, just kept going through, that are way darker than getting a phone call from Tony Schiavone telling me that they’re letting me go," Slim J said.
Slim J then noted that he got a lot of positive feedback following his release. He looked back on his comments following his release and stated that he was extremely grateful for his time in AEW. Slim J shared his belief that the fans never got to see the truth of his character.
"I did, and I was in my feelings when I posted that, but it wasn’t anything negative that I said. I didn’t shit on anybody, I didn’t curse anybody’s name, nothing like that. I was extremely grateful for my opportunity at AEW. I just displayed what I think the fans never got from me, is the truth about my character and everything that I do. I give 100%, plus ten more, every single time that I’m out there. My work’s not it, it’s the other, and I know that. I’m not oblivious," Slim J said.
Check out Slim J's initial comments about his AEW release here.
Tony Khan previously said that the releases were fluid situations. Click here to see what he had to say.
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