Allegations have surfaced suggesting that some former WWE stars are reluctant to lose matches after leaving the company, with names like Miro and Malakai Black rumored to have strict no-job policies outside WWE.
Miro apparently ended his AEW run with a 31-4 record, with zero losses in 2023. While this record has fueled speculation about his reluctance to take defeats, one person very involved with talent on the independent wrestling scene gave a statement to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter about wrestlers not wanting to do jobs after leaving WWE.
The individual explained that many former WWE talents develop a deep fear of losing matches due to their experiences in WWE. They stated: One day well have to have the discussion about WWE trauma. People leave that company and are so traumatized by their booking they overcompensate on exit as a defense mechanism.
They went on to allege that even lower-card talent in WWEthose who were expected to lose frequentlyadopt a strict NO JOBS policy once they leave WWE.
Even people who are I dont want to use the term jobbers because that gets used incorrectly too often those who were at a level in WWE where theyd be expected to lose a lot, like (mentioned names of several wrestlers who were on the low end in WWE when they were cut), they leave WWE and immediately take on a NO JOBS policy.
According to the claim, these wrestlers equate losing to being buried, even when it might make sense for the storyline or help them get over in a new environment.
Even if you put them in a situation where losing would get them more over or just makes total sense since theyre in a small town for a show that isnt being recorded against the local top guy they wont lose. Because of their WWE trauma. They equate being asked to lose as getting buried. Which isnt the same thing at all.
The individual further argued that this mentality stems from WWEs booking philosophy, where consistent losses often signal that a wrestler is being devalued.
But thats the mentality theyve developed when losing a lot in WWE does actually mean youre getting buried. Or youre a secondary womens champion. So I get why (a major star) doesnt see the advantages in losing & reacts so negatively to the mere suggestion of it. From experience, any loss is giving up control and flashes back to experience in WWE.
They also alleged that some former WWE talent who refused to take losses in AEW had no problem doing so once they returned to WWE.
Look at (name withheld). The guy HATED doing jobs in AEW unless it was vs others he perceived as top guys (ex-WWE guys). Now he walked right back into WWE and has literally been losing since day 2 of his return. But no complaints, no pushback. Its just such an interesting deal how people look at WWE jobs being the cost of doing business but elsewhere its a slap in the face.
These allegations suggest that some ex-WWE stars view losing in WWE as business as usual but resist taking losses elsewhere, seeing it as a sign of disrespect rather than a strategic move.
With many former WWE stars now competing in AEW, TNA, and on the independent scene, these claims raise questions about how WWEs booking practices continue to affect talent long after they leave the company.
Do you think former WWE stars should adjust their mindset on losing matches outside WWE, or is their hesitation justified? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
