AEW Releases Rey Fenix - Free Agent As Of TODAY (AEW News)

AEW has today released Rey Fenix, finally bringing the luchador's protracted contract dispute with the promotion to a close.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports that Fenix, who was also removed from AEW's website today, is now a free agent. "It is all but certain he's WWE bound," the writeup states.

Fenix's AEW release ends a five-year tenure with the Tony Khan-helmed promotion. Rey and brother Penta were effectively day-one AEW wrestlers, having ceremonially agreed to contracts during an independent date before the company's January 2019 launch, with The Young Bucks offering them deals at an independent show. Later, the Lucha Brothers made their first appearance as AEW talent at the special Ticket Announcement event on 7 February 2019.

Penta and Fenix were a fixture of the tag and trios divisions in AEW, reigning as World Tag Team Champions and World Trios Champions (with PAC as Death Triangle) once apiece. Fenix, meanwhile, was a one-time International Champion himself, defeating Jon Moxley on 20 September 2023, before dropping the belt to Orange Cassidy on 10 October.

Things turned sour for the Lucha Brothers in AEW in 2024. With rumours of a WWE jump swirling, Penta and Fenix entered public contract disputes with the promotion. This led to Penta's contract expiring in November. He has since signed for WWE, though Fenix had time added to his contract due to prior injuries, leaving him in AEW. Rey last appeared for AEW in July 2024.

In January, AEW pulled Fenix's merch from their online stores. The Lucha Brother has not been shy of expressing his frustration during his absence, alluding to receiving "inhumane treatment" in a since-deleted tweet and claiming "I needed a doctor and you ignored me for months." During this period, Fenix also posted a Photoshop of him wearing a straitjacket to social media.

AEW has already released fellow wantaway stars Malakai Black, Ricky Starks, and Miro in 2025. Ricky has since been rebranded Ricky Saints in NXT.