Ex-WWE Star Explains Why He "Wanted Nothing To Do" With AEW
This former WWE man had a heartfelt reason for saying no to AEW's advances.
Former WWE star Erick Redbeard (Rowan) has told NBC Sports Boston that he "wanted nothing to do" with The Dark Order or a full-time run in AEW.
Redbeard said there was "never a conversation" with Tony Khan about making him a permanent part of the roster, but admitted he would've turned it down anyway. Why? Well, Erick wouldn't want to trample on his friend Brodie Lee's legacy with the company.
That's very important to him.
Redbeard believes people would've looked at him inking a deal as everyone trying to capitalise on a sad situation, and he didn't like that; former WWE man Rowan said he didn't want to "be that guy that distracts and always reminds people of a loss".
He was careful not to suggest that he's "better" than working alongside The Dark Order on AEW programming though. That's not why Erick would've knocked back an All Elite deal. It had nothing to do with the faction, really, and more to do with trying to let his fallen friend's legacy be.
"Even if there was a conversation, I wouldn’t have seen myself having a [permanent] slot there".