Brian Cage Explains Why He Re-Signed With AEW Instead of Joining WWE, Says WWE Will ‘Randomly Release Anyone’

AEW and ROH wrestler Brian Cage recently sat down with Insight with Chris Van Vliet to discuss his career, explaining why he turned down signing a contract with WWE, and more. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Brian Cage on How Close He Was To Going to WWE in 2024

“I mean, there was a lot of interest, and it’s funny, because I wanted to go there. I mean, you don’t know what you’re gonna get either place. There’s no guarantees. They could say that, you know, we’re gonna use you this way, that way, whatever. But obviously, you don’t know anything. And after going back and forth, all the different pros and cons, a lot of stuff with AEW just seemed safer, if you will. It’s pretty hard to have some sort of security in this business, but I’m like, I’ve been here for a while; they [WWE] just randomly release anyone. A lot of the perks, so travel is way [easier]; he [Tony Khan] pays for all the travel, so hotel, ground transportation, and airfare, whereas WWE is just airfare. We’re an actual independent contractor, so I can do anything else outside of AEW, which is a plus too. Then I felt like I don’t have a fear of getting released if I stay here too long. The longer I feel like I can just keep staying to have longevity.”

On Why He Re-upped With AEW

“Big time, that’s the main one, and just longevity. It’s so much more chill there. I mean, obviously, I haven’t been in WWE for a long time, was there developmentally years ago, many years ago.”

On if There Was Ever Talk of Bringing Him to Raw or SmackDown When He Was a WWE Developmental Talent in 2008-2009

“There was. And then actually, even the day I got released, I thought I was getting the call to go up to Raw. Everyone thought that. I was so flabbergasted when I got the call, and I’m thinking I’m getting raised. I think I’m getting called to TV, I’m thinking I’m getting both, and they’re like, ‘Oh, we’ve come to terms with your release.’ I’m like, wat the? You called the right person? But I mean, I left my time there, and I have nothing bad to say about in that regard, but you know, it’s been a back-and-forth thing, and there is the what if, and the WrestleMania moment that every fan has. But at the same time, I do feel like there’s a nice feather in my cap to have been as successful as I’ve been, to have the house, I have the cars, I have the life I’ve had, to live the career I’ve had, without ever having, like, the WWE rub, I do feel like that’s that’s been kind of a nice little bonus, which is pretty hard to get.”

Brian Cage recently returned to AEW TV last month after being sidelined with a knee injury. He also appears along with Lance Archer in the opening scene of Steven Spielberg’s new movie, Disclosure Day, which is now playing in theaters.