Lexis King, current WWE NXT Heritage Cup Champion, joined the “No-Contest Wrestling” podcast recently for an engaging chat to talk about his time with AEW, his departure from Tony Khan’s organization, and how his experiences there shaped his wrestling career.
Below are some key insights from King’s conversation:
Discussing the point his interest in AEW started flagging: “The moment things began to go south for me in AEW was when they decided to take Julia [Hart] out of the Varsity Blonds. I always felt that she added a key dynamic to the group, but even without her, I had faith in mine and Griff’s skills. Consequently, I proposed that we evolve from the traditional babyface mold and embrace a more edgy, charismatic persona. However, our proposed tag team, The Blonds, was preempted by another team who had already trademarked ‘Varsity’. After these incidents, it seemed as if AEW was running out of fresh angles for us. Griff’s injury around the same time further complicated matters.”
On the flexibility that AEW provides to their wrestlers: “One of the advantages of AEW was that it allowed us to participate in indie shows when we weren’t scheduled for their matches. I took advantage of this opportunity to the maximum, using it to continually hone my skills, even when I wasn’t up for TV spots. I was always on the go, striving to develop myself. Although, by the time I truly found my rhythm, it felt like it was already too late.”
Talking about his contract expiration with AEW: “My contract had reached its expiration. I wasn’t let go prematurely. However, when the time came, it was rather unexpected. Despite performing consistently at house shows and proving my commitment to the company, my contract wasn’t renewed. Always a huge AEW supporter, I continue to follow and appreciate their work.”
Talking about AEW’s role in his growth: “If not for AEW’s platform, Ricky [Saints], Ethan [Page], and I may not be where we are today. We had opportunities to work alongside brilliant wrestlers such as Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley, experiences that have greatly contributed to my growth in the sport.”
Describing the diverse learning landscape of AEW: “AEW is a diverse pool of wrestling styles, presenting innumerable learning opportunities. It is distinct from WWE’s more structured learning environment. Personally, I benefit more from the latter, but I cannot overlook the immense growth I experienced at AEW.”
Talking about his evolution in NXT: “My success today is the fruit of my journey with several key figures in WWE who molded me into the wrestler I am today. Sharing locker rooms with names like Ricky Morton and Rip Rogers has also been instrumental in my development.”