Report: Cesaro "Wasn't Looking To Leave WWE"
More on Cesaro, who is now a free agent after rejecting WWE's latest contract offer.
Although Cesaro's WWE departure came as a consequence of his contract expiring after turning down an offered extension, the former United States Champion wasn't actually looking to leave the promotion.
Dave Meltzer writes in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the situation was more of a WWE decision than a Cesaro decision. Ultimately, the promotion made the 41-year-old an offer he wasn't interested in, leading to a man who didn't necessarily want to leave, leaving.
With the likes of Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and AJ Styles all re-signing with WWE on big-money contracts recently, the situation may suggest that Cesaro wasn't given that level of offer.
A lack of 90-day non-compete clause means Cesaro is free to start working for other promotions immediately. Meltzer notes that there was no "backdoor offer" from AEW while the Swiss star was negotiating with WWE, though this doesn't mean that Tony Khan's promotion won't eventually extend one.
Cesaro had been with WWE for 11 years at the time of his departure, having signed there in 2011. His departure is believed to have led to "disappointment and dismay" in a locker room of which he was once a well-liked component.