WWE Releases The Authors Of Pain
Former Raw and NXT Tag Team champions are gone...
On Friday, WWE announced that former two-time Tag Team champions Akam and Rezar of AOP (Authors of Pain) had been released from the company.
WWE wrote, "WWE has come to terms on the release of Akam and Rezar (AOP). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors."
Former amateur wrestler Sunny Dhinsa and former mixed martial artist Gzim Selmani came together in the spring 2016 as The Authors of Pain, taking on the names Akam and Rezar, respectively. With legendary manager Paul Ellering in their corner, they won the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Classic, before defeating DIY to win the NXT Tag Team titles in January of 2017.
The two debuted on Monday Night Raw just after WrestleMania 34 in 2018, but quickly ditched Ellering. They picked up Drake Maverick as a manager for a time, and went on to defeat Seth Rollins in a handicap match to win Raw's Tag titles later that year.
The two endured different long-term injuries during their main roster run, with Akam having knee surgery at the start of 2019, and Rezar tearing his biceps this past March.
Neither man has wrestled since March 9, upon Rezar sustaining his injury.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.