Former WWE Champion SHOOTS On Creative & Management

This former star had a "miserable" time in WWE.

TJ Perkins
WWE

Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins recently returned to the independent circuit following his release from the market-leading promotion in February, and has now spoken on his time with the company in a new interview with Sportskeeda.

The 34-year-old describes the "miserable" time he had in WWE, claiming that while Vince McMahon and Triple H were always "kind and fair," dealing with 205 Live's producers and creative department made him "fall out of love with wrestling" for the first time in 20 years.

Perkins also criticised WWE for their lack of administrative transparency and constant micromanagement. While he claims to have had "a direct line with Vince," he said: "they have layers of fall guys in place to absorb everything." TJP then went on to state that the bulk of his unhappiness came from "the culture of lower administration, the micromanaging from writers and producers, and the way guys played favourites and are manipulated."

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As the surprise winner of 2016's Cruiserweight Classic tournament, Perkins was immediately set up as the face of WWE's new 205lb division. Lacklustre main roster presentation saw him fail to get over, and the Philippino-American star soon fell off the map, with TV appearances few and far between at the time of his departure.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.