Leyla Hirsch recently opened up about her exit from AEW and the reasons for her dissatisfaction during an episode of the “Soul Sessions” podcast.
Here are a few key takeaways from the podcast:
Dissatisfaction with match planning at Final Battle: “We were excited to wrestle at Final Battle and wanted to create a meaningful storyline. Despite our best efforts, the lack of foresight and investment in our story was frustrating. It was disheartening when our well-received pitch was cancelled a week before the show, making me feel as if my efforts didn’t matter. This incident was particularly disappointing as male wrestlers managed to carry out similar storylines that we had pitched for. This is indicative of the uphill battle female wrestlers face in the industry.”
On the termination of her AEW contract: “My contract was to end on my wedding day. Six weeks before the contract’s end, I initiated a conversation with Tony, AEW’s boss, to discuss my future in the company. However, instead of speaking directly with Tony, I was redirected to a lawyer and another team member. In the conversation, I voiced my concerns about my growth as a performer. Unfortunately, despite the hopeful conversation, I never heard back from them.”
On her feelings about leaving the company: “The process was frustrating, especially the lateness in notifying me about not renewing my contract. I remain curious about what was communicated to Tony about our conversation. While it was disappointing, I stand by my decision to leave. If I had been complacent with AEW, I would have continued with them. But standing up for my growth and development as a performer was more important. I was always professional and gave my best. If the investment in my career wasn’t apparent then, there wasn’t much I could do. It’s to do with respect and being informed early for preparation. It is what it is.”
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