Wrestlers who appeared visibly frustrated or unhappy during their AEW tenures, contrasting the promotion's early "utopia" promise against later backstage tensions, body language cues, and reported conflicts from 2019-2025.
CM Punk's Explosive Exit
CM Punk openly admitted disliking AEW post-Brawl Out, requesting release amid feuds with Colt Cabana sympathizers, Hangman Page's shoot promo, and his infamous All Out rant leading to suspension and firing after the Jack Perry incident. His spiky demeanor in promos against Jon Moxley hinted at real frustrations bleeding into storylines.
Dr. Britt Baker's Decline
Britt Baker thrived early as a hilarious heel but grew isolated amid backstage reports of tension with Thunder Rosa, returning from injury in 2024 as a sporadic, less magnetic figure dismissive of crowds ("Nobody cares") and facing claims of making fewer friends.
Ivelisse's Unprofessional Reputation
Ivelisse's brief 2020 push amid AEW's thin women's roster ended poorly, marked by uncooperative body language in matches like against Thunder Rosa, reinforcing her history of unprofessionalism across promotions.
The Hardys' Discontent
Matt and Jeff Hardy criticized limited opportunities, with Jeff publicly burying Collision and Rampage as B-shows while half-assing matches, blending shoot frustrations with failed heel turns tied to CM Punk discourse.
Miro's Sullen Fade
Miro debuted ecstatic as The Redeemer in 2021 with godlike promos but soured over main event booking disputes, returning sporadically in 2023 as a joyless figure lacking his prior intensity.
Jake Hager's Vacant Gimmick
Hager's emotionless "big lug" persona—standing blankly, uttering single words—mirrored his real criticisms of Tony Khan as unable to book stories, calling him a child playing with toys.
Jon Moxley's Frustrated Leadership
Moxley, deeply committed, showed disdain for weak angles like MJF feuds (burying them verbally or forgetting promos) and formed Death Riders to force babyface support, believing AEW underperformed its potential.
Malakai Black's Relieved Departure
Malakai Black excelled in trios but seemed mismatched without world title contention; exit rumors in 2022-2024 ended with apparent relief, hugging Adam Cole amid spooky persona masking deeper dissatisfaction.
