More Backstage Details on Trey Miguel Being Released by AEW, Plans To Use Him in 2020 Were Shut Down

As previously reported, Trey Miguel of The Rascalz was recently released by AEW after signing with the company. Miguel also announced that he was taking a break from wrestling, leading to many questions surrounding what happened.

Miguel later issued a statement via social media, suggesting that his release was over comments he publicly made in the past. Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussed the matter and offered more insight on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio.

For reference, it appears the decision was made by Warner Bros. Discovery over comments Miguel made back in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, Miguel made antisemitic comments directed at Jewish wrestler David Starr. Later in March 2020, Miguel utilized homophobic rhetoric while arguing with a user on Facebook. Miguel later issued an apology for the comments not long after (h/t Outsports).

Alvarez revealed that there was a period around 2020 when AEW planned to bring in Trey Miguel. However, that did not take place for “the same reason” he was ultimately released this month, being his past derogatory statements on social media. Alvarez stated, “He was not allowed to be brought in. Maybe Tony [Khan] thought five years later, six years later, ‘I’ll sign him,’ but it wasn’t going to fly.”

Meltzer indicated that some people behind the scenes believe there is a different story behind Miguel’s release. He stated, “I will say that there are people who think that — this is what Trey Miguel believes, and this is what we believe, but they think that this may not be the actual story. So, I don’t want to bring that up because if I don’t, people will go, ‘You know that there’s another story!’ So…and I don’t want to bring up the other one because it’s probably, you know — I have no information on it, but there are people who are telling me this.”

Trey Miguel Admits To Past Mistakes Following His AEW Release

As noted, Miguel wrote a statement following his AEW release, where he admitted to making mistakes in his past. He wrote on Monday (Jan. 19), “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my time.”

Miguel continued, “I’ve always apologized and did my best to put a better foot forward after. I don’t preach hate, and I don’t take any pride in being hateful. I’m a man of faith, I believe in forgiveness, and only ever preach that. I’m a different man today.”

For whatever the case may be, Miguel is not signed to the AEW roster, but other Rascalz members, Myron Reed, Zachary Wentz, and Dezmond Xavier are all now part of the roster.