New Details On Major AEW Departure
Departing AEW figure believed the company was becoming more like NJPW.
QT Marshall believed that AEW was becoming more like NJPW - though this may not have contributed directly towards his impending departure from the Tony Khan-helmed group.
Haus of Wrestling reported on Marshall's situation on Tuesday. QT had claimed on Monday that with AEW heading in a new direction, it was time for him to do the same, which Haus of Wrestling reiterated contributed to Marshall's decision to resign. The outlet noted that AEW's perceived "NJPW-related direction" was part of this, with the promotion supposedly placing greater emphasis on matches rather than storytelling.
Fightful Select reports that while AEW's direction was something Marshall didn't agree with, the NJPW comparisons weren't the reason he resigned - according to sources.
Elsewhere, Haus of Wrestling notes that Marshall, once one of the most influential backstage figures in AEW, saw his power diminish following Cody Rhodes' February 2022 departure. QT had also been vocal about wanting to work more as a wrestler rather than a backstage figure.
Nobody in AEW or WWE that Haus of Wrestling has spoken to expressed surprise at Marshall's decision.
WrestlePurists reported on an internal AEW belief that CM Punk did not want Marshall's QTV segments featured on Collision, hence their removal from the Saturday night show. Punk, who held a considerable degree of power over the brand, didn't think they'd contribute productively to the show. Tony Khan took the fall for this decision, resulting in the deterioration of the Khan/Marshall relationship.