Ex-WWE Wrestler Claims Releases Were To Pay For Vince McMahon's Hush Money

Swerve Strickland responded this week to reports of discontent in WWE over his new lucrative contract with AEW, with it being suggested that WWE felt his deal was above the market value. Strickland noted that it was only an issue when black wrestlers get paid more, before telling others not to worry about his pockets.

Fellow AEW wrestler and former WWE name, EJ Nduka, has had his say on the situation, suggesting that ‘the other place’ isn’t as kind on black wrestlers, and that his release (along with others) was to pay for Vince McMahon’s hush money payments in a series of posts on X.

“SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. OTHER SIDE REFUSED TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES.. AND NOW LOOK THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP. INDUSTRY SHAKERS… Came into this industry from NFL AND IFBB. Where the hardest working person in the room at the very least gets an opportunity. I was first one to the ring every single day and last one to leave. Came to every extra ring. Tried to ask for HELP but NOTHING… They pulled the rug from underneath my family and I and many other wrestlers cause he wanted to spend that money on hush money. As far as I am concerned yall can eat glass.”

Nduka noted that he has all the receipts, and claims WWE tried to pay him off for a whole year to delay him going to AEW. He thanked AEW and ROH for building something from nothing, and doing great things for the industry. He said that he preferred to work for a boss ‘who is genuinely excited for your future & development.’ He also criticized WWE for leaving him and his family in dire circumstances during the pandemic.